Click below for some tips on finding quality licensed child care: Choosing Child Care (pdf/972 Kb)
You can also use the following link to access Child Care Resource & Referral’s website on finding child care: Finding Child Care
The following agencies can also help meet your child care needs:
Bethel School District Early Childhood:
Bethel School District Early Childhood works in partnership with families and the community to enhance the abilities and skills of the whole child, including social, physical, intellectual, communication, and emotional development. We believe:
- All children are capable of learning and have individual needs, skills, and talents.
- Children learn best in a setting that reflects the diversity of the community.
- Children learn best as active participants in co-operative, play-based experiences.
- Children learn best through experiences that enhance their self-esteem, help them make choices, and develop competencies.
- Children learn best using a unified, developmentally appropriate curriculum, utilizing child-centered teaching practices and support services.
Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound:
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of proven and nationally-recognized programs that address today’s most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life. More than 25 national programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development, and athletics.
Children’s Home Society:
Children’s Home Society provides a variety of services for children and families across the state. Services include adoption, mental health services, reunification, early learning (Early Head Start, Head Start, Parents as Teacher, court-based drop-in child care), family support services, Family Support Centers, out of home care, and advocacy.
Call: (253) 850-2584
www.childrenshomesociety.org
www.childrenshomesociety.org
Franklin Pierce Schools:
Franklin Pierce Schools promotes kindergarten readiness, which includes social, physical, emotional, and pre-academic skills. Programs, educational tools, and resources for children aged birth to five and their parents include free “READY! for Kindergarten” classes for parents of 2, 3 and-year-old children, free Head Start program for 3 and 4-year-old low-income children, and free screening for all 3 to 5-year-old children living within the district. A team of specialists, including a school psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and an educational specialist, screens young children in coordination, behavior, speech/language skills, hearing, and school readiness skills.
Call: (253) 298-3000
www.fpschools.org
www.fpschools.org
HopeSparks:
HopeSparks provides counseling and educational services to address issues including: abuse, divorce/anger management, depression, early childhood development, and marriage crisis. The mission of HopeSparks, a nonprofit, human service agency located in Pierce County, is to strengthen families by inspiring courage and confidence to make lasting change.
Call: (253) 565.4484
www.hopesparks.org
www.hopesparks.org
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Child and Youth Services:
Fort Lewis provides quality child and youth development options through Child, Youth, and School Services (CYSS). It is a network of systems and programs reducing the conflict between parental responsibilities and unit mission requirements. CYSS includes full-day, part-day, and hourly child care programs; before- and after-school care programs; middle and teen programs; family child care; team sports and outreach sports programs; and resource and referral for on-and off-post.
Call: (253) 967-3056
www.jblmmwr.com/CYS.htm
www.jblmmwr.com/CYS.htm
Pierce College:
Pierce College District 11 is two community colleges and an extended learning program. Programs include:
- Transfer courses parallel to the first two years of university and four-year college work.
- Vocational degree and certificate programs in a variety of job fields.
- Developmental, basic skills and high school completion courses.
- Personal and professional development through continuing education courses.
- Traditional and nontraditional learning opportunities.
Call: (253) 964-6500 (Pierce College Fort Steilacoom), (253) 840-8400 (Pierce College Puyallup), or (253) 912-3602 (Pierce College Extended Learning
www.pierce.ctc.edu
www.pierce.ctc.edu
Puget Sound Educational Services District:
Puget Sound Educational Services District develops and delivers a wide selection of services for ages birth through 21. These include helping schools and serving students and families directly. Sometimes services are free. Types of services offered to children and those who care for them: infant and preschool programs; comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and social services; involvement and job readiness opportunities for parents; training and support for the child care community; programs for students with special needs; services for children with vision issues, hearing loss, and deaf-blindness.
Call: (253) 778-7800
www.psesd.org
www.psesd.org
Puyallup Tribe of Indians:
The Puyallup Indians have lived along the shores of Puget Sound for thousands of years. Tribal members play vital roles in many aspects of life in the Puget Sound region. The Puyallup Tribe’s Birth to Six Program promotes the development of healthy children in our community by strengthening the critical roles of parents, families, and professionals by giving all of our children the best possible start in life. Birth to Six provides child development screening, culturally-relevant family resource coordination, information and referral, and direct early intervention services. Those eligible are Indian children between birth to five years of age, who are enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe. Families must reside within the service area of the Puyallup Tribe.
Call: (253)572-6061
www.puyallup-tribe.com
www.puyallup-tribe.com
Tacoma Community College:
Tacoma Community College offers more than 40 study areas and 60 professional and technical degrees and certificates to choose from. Smaller class sizes. Certificates and degrees in early care and education. Online courses for child care providers. Annette B. Weyerhaeuser Early Learning Center is committed to high quality care for its young students.
Call: (253) 566-5001 (South Tacoma Campus) or (253) 460-2424 (Gig Harbor Campus)
www.tacomacc.edu
www.tacomacc.edu
Tacoma-Pierce County Child Care Resource & Referral (City of Tacoma):
Call: (253) 591-2025 or 1-888-370-6133
www.cityoftacoma.org/childcare
YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties:
You can relax knowing that with us your kids are getting their daily dose of fun, homework assistance, character development, cultural enrichment, and fitness right at your child’s elementary school, at a price every family can afford. Monday-Friday, before school as early as 6:30am, after school until 6:30pm. Conveniently serving the following school districts: Bethel, Dieringer, Peninsula, Steilacoom, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, Puyallup, Tacoma
www.ymcapkc.org.childcare
Or call (253) 534-7840