During the first eight years of life children develop foundational brain structures and early learning skills upon which all future learning will be built.

- Shonkoff, J. P., and D. A. Phillips, eds. 2000

OSPI Early Learning is working closely with districts, schools and public and private partners to align educational opportunities for young children from birth through 3rd grade throughout our public school system. This site is for all adults working and interacting with young children in homes, in the community, and in schools.

What's Happening

Washington State Early Learning Plan (PDF) was launched on September 1, 2010. The Early Learning Plan, Executive Summary (PDF), and Early Learning Joint Resolution Partnership 2011 Priority Strategies can be viewed online at www.del.wa.gov/plan.

WaKIDS Pilot – The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills, or WaKIDS, is being piloted in more than 120 classrooms around the state. View WaKids details online at http://www.k12.wa.us/WaKIDS/.

Early Learning Leadership Grants - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is funding leadership grants.

Full-Day Kindergarten funding is received by over 200 schools in the state.

Washington State Early Learning Partnership Joint Resolution (PDF) has been established with OSPI's Early Learning Program, Washington State Department of Early Learning, and Thrive By Five Washington. Early Learning Partnership Joint Resolution Framework 2009 (PDF) has been developed as a companion document to the Partnership Resolution to outline Priorities/Goals and Key Actions defined by the Early Learning Partners.

Two 2010 Starting Strong P-3 Conferences in Yakima and SeaTac identify Washington State as a P-3 national leader! View PowerPoint presentations and conference materials at ESD 105 and PSESD Web sites.

P-3 Partnership Implementation Grants Summary Report 2010 (PDF) provides the end-of-grant report of activities and outcomes of thirteen districts grant recipients. To see Longview School District’s video of P-3 Grant activities.

1. Go to http://moodle.ospi.k12.wa.us
2. Scroll down and click on “Presentations and Webinars”
3. Click on “Login as a guest” to view video.
4. Select "P-3 Final Grant"

Early Learning in Washington Public Schools Report 2008 (PDF) outlines the benefits of early learning for children, teachers, schools and districts, and for alignment of early learning in schools.

K-3 Demonstration Projects in Spokane, Yakima and Highline districts have been completed. View K-3 Demonstration Project Final Report 2009 (PDF).

The years from birth to age eight are the 'learning to learn' years, when children build the foundations to become capable readers, writers, mathematicians, artists, musicians, creative thinkers, speakers of more than one language and caring citizens. With guidance from parents, families and other caregivers, children develop bonds with others and learn to express compassion, work well in groups and live with rules. These are the years when each child’s innate capacity for creativity must be developed." Washington Learns - 2006