Bates Technical College Home & Family Life Department:
Bates Technical College Home & Family Life Department serves child care centers, cooperative preschools, parenting, and childbirth programs. Provides resource center for parents and caregivers who want to make sure the children in their care are ready to succeed when they start school.
Call:  (253) 680-7500
www.bates.ctc.edu/homefamily

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

Children’s Museum of Tacoma:
The Children’s Museum of Tacoma’s exhibits and programs celebrate the power and importance of play in a child’s healthy development. A visit to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma transports you and your child to a world of imaginative play and creative discovery. Come connect with your child through play at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma’s free, neighborhood-based program, Play to Learn, at eight locations throughout Pierce County weekly.
Call: (253) 627-6031
www.ChildrensMuseumofTacoma.org

Clover Park Technical College:
Clover Park Technical College offers certificate and degree programs in Early Care and Education. Certificate programs include: Leadership, School Age, Foundation, Green Program, Sustaining a Green Program, and Early Care and Education Specialist. Evening classes available. Hayes Child Development Center, located on the Clover Park Technical College Campus, is a NAEYC-accredited program.
Call: (253) 589-5574
www.cptc.edu

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 4-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

KBTC Public Television:
KBTC Public Television provides Pierce County parents, teachers, and caregivers with PBS resources that help children develop a lifelong love of learning. Builds and promotes partnerships with community organizations, childcare networks, schools, libraries, and government agencies while also:
  • Broadcasting 9.5 hours of children’s educational programming each weekday.
  • Delivering parent educational messages between programs.
  • Developing and presenting workshops and events to help parents, teachers, and caregivers use television as a positive force in children’s lives.
  • Advocating for and raising awareness of early care and education issues.
Call: (253) 680-7700
www.kbtc.org

Metropolitan Development Council:
The Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) is a nonprofit Community Action Partnership. MDC offers services in over 40 programs through education, family services, drug and alcohol treatment, housing, homeless services, prevention, and economic and career development. Provides individualized help to clients who need assistance in more than one area of their lives. Efficient communication, referral and case management services ensure clients receive the most comprehensive and effective care.
Call: (253) 383-3921
www.mdc-tacoma.org

Pierce County Association for the Education of Young Children:
Pierce County Association for the Education of Young Children is the professional organization promoting professional standards in every area of the early childhood education field, including ethics, developmentally appropriate practices for young children, and professional development.

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

Pierce County Library System:
Pierce County Library System supplies rich resources, like free books, music, DVDs, and magazines for parents and caregivers. Knowledgeable librarians and staff help families find what they are looking for. Children and families get free programs year-around. Child care centers and family child care homes get free STARS classes and book delivery.

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

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)
http://www.tacomacc.edu/

Tacoma-Pierce County Child Care Resource and Referral (City of Tacoma):
Tacoma-Pierce County Child Care Resource and Referral gives free telephone and on-line referrals of licensed child care. Also available: information on how to choose quality care and general information about child care in Pierce County. Professional development and on-site help given to licensed child care providers.
Call: (253) 591-2025 or 1-888-370-6133
www.cityoftacoma.org/childcare

Washington Scholarships for Child Care Professionals:
Washington Scholarships for Child Care Professionals (WA Scholarships), a program of the WA State Child Care Resource and Referral Network, is a statewide program that provides scholarships to licensed child care center staff and family child care providers (FCC).  WA Scholarships covers between 75-90% of the scholars tuition and book expenses, in addition to a travel stipend, release time and bonuses.  The scholars and sponsoring centers cover the remaining costs.
WA Scholarships links compensation, education, and commitment to enhancing the quality of Family Child Care, Child Care Centers and After-School Programs.  Contact the scholarship program for additional information on program requirements and benefits.

Washington State Department of Early Learning:
Washington State Department of Early Learning oversees child care licensing and monitoring to help ensure safe, healthy, nurturing places for children. Manages the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds and their families. Shares information and resources with parents and supports training opportunities for child care providers. Handles child care subsidies to low-income families while they work, look for work, or train in connection with the Department of Social and Health Services.
Call:  (253) 983-6413
www.del.wa.gov