Statewide, DCYF estimates that families of about 293,000 children age B-5 not yet in school need child care, because all available parents in the home are working. Only about 27% of these children are served by licensed child care, preschool, and/or subsidized child care.
Additionally, we estimate that families of over 491,000 school-age children (kindergarten through age 12) are in need of care, and only about 12% of these children are served by licensed child care, preschool, and/or subsidized child care.
The percent of need met for child care, preschool, and/or subsidized child care for children of all ages varies widely across the state.
*https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/oiaa/reports/early-learning-dashboards/child-care-need-supply-data