SEATTLE -- Seattle's White Center neighborhood is abuzz with excitment over the grand opening of a brand new early learning facility this weekend.
On Saturday, the country's 10th Educare center will open in White Center. The brand new multi-million dollar Educare Early Learning Center will serve 134 children from birth to age five from income eligible families and children with disabilities.
It will also serve as the hub for the larger White Center Early Learning Initiative, which is one of two Thrive by Five Washington Demonstration Communities in the state, modeling strategies and approaches that can be replicated in other communities to improve early learning statewide.
Educare offers full day learning and for infants through five year olds. Parents don't just drop off their kids, but they also stay and play a while, just what educators envisioned.
"When we bring parents in here, we want them to feel that this is an extension of their home," said Rayfel Hart, Educare Director.
A lot of thought went into the building - not just environmentally friendly aesthetics, but how the space would be used. With a low teacher to student ratio, there's a focus on language and literacy. And there's plenty of outdoor space where physical, social and emotional development will help children race into their future.
Another great thing about this facility: it's located right across the parking lot from the White Center Heights Elementary School, so kids can make an easy transition into kindergarten.
Parents in White Center already look at the new Educare facility as not just a daycare, but a neighborhood treasure that puts early childhood development not on a pedestal but within their reach.
The grand opening celebration is Saturday, March 27th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Educare is located at 625 SW 100th Street in Seattle.
Learning for Life airs every Wednesday on KONG 6/16 TV between 8:15 and 8:50 a.m.
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