Who We Are

The Early Learning Action Alliance is a dynamic, growing coalition of organizations representing a diverse array of Washington nonprofits, professional associations, businesses and industries. We are united by the belief that all children in Washington state deserve to have the opportunities and support they need in their first five years of life to be prepared for school and a bright future.

The Early Learning Action Alliance advanced early learning policy and protected early learning funding during the 2010 legislative session. Click here to access a budget analysis, session overview, and a timeline to implement voluntary pre-K statewide.

Federal laws and policies have a strong effect on opportunities for Washington State's youngest learners. Read our 2010 federal legislative agenda.

ELAA recently launched a parenting caucus. Download and share a flyer.

You can get ELAA's monthly newsletter, Updates in Early Learning. Subscribe now.

Mission

Our mission is to ensure that every Washington child, starting at birth, has equitable access to the relationships, education, and opportunities needed to be healthy and ready to succeed by kindergarten.

Strategy

We convene a coalition of diverse organizations to advocate for early learning as a statewide priority, as evidenced by increased public investments and effective, strategic, and integrated early learning policies that will improve outcomes for all children.

Our Long-Term Priorities

We need researched, market-driven policies that will give all young children the social, emotional and intellectual foundations they need to start school ready to succeed. These policies should support parents as their children’s first and most important teachers and provide a range of culturally relevant support services to families who need them. A greater range of top quality child care, family care and preschool choices needs to be available to all families. We also need to recognize the importance of expanding professional development opportunities to the thousands of child care professionals across the state. Together, we can help make Washington state a place where all families and young children have the opportunities they need to thrive.

Membership

Membership is open to any organization that agrees with our mission and guiding principles and is not a target of our advocacy at the state or federal level. For membership details, please read the Early Learning Action Alliance Charter (PDF).

You can read more about our members in the ELAA Member Directory.

For more information about the Early Learning Action Alliance contact Leslie Dozono, Children’s Alliance Early Learning Policy Coordinator.