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Early Learning

Supporting Parents So Kids Start School on a Path to Success.

Thanks to their participation in ParentChild+, many children will enter kindergarten this year fully prepared for classroom learning. 

ParentChild+ meets parents where they are to help them prepare their child for school. Families have twice-weekly visits with trained coaches of the same language and cultural background. These home visitors bring free educational toys and books, and support parents in building their skills and confidence to prepare their children for school success.

Outcomes include increased vocabulary and pre-literacy skills, strengthened parent-child relationships, and fostering kids’ social-emotional development.

At a Glance

1,010 families served last year

46,000+ home visits last year

13 partner providers

10,000+ families supported since 2010

30% participants more likely to graduate from high school

How It Works

When parents become their children’s first and best teachers, kids start school on a path to success. Here’s how ParentChild+ works:

Two adults wear traditional Muslim head coverings sit next to each other. They both have a young child sitting in their laps. One child is also wearing a head covering and smiles while she reaches out to touch the graduation cap worn by the other child.

1. Families with 2- and 3-year olds are matched with trained coaches, known as home visitors, of the same language and cultural background.

2. Home visitors meet with families two times a week.

3. Home visitors bring a book or toy each week, model positive interaction, and teach parents how to work with and advocate for their children.

Two young children wear green graduation gowns and smile at the camera.

4. Children leave the ParentChild+ program more prepared for kindergarten.

Books—including some old favorites like “Goodnight Moon” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”—are selected with care and attention to reflect a variety of cultures and characters, especially those that align with the children’s backgrounds and experiences.

“The first day she walked in and put her backpack into the little cubby without being told. She understood what Circle Time was because we had a version of that as part of ParentChild+, where we would sit on the floor and talk together. She was like, ‘Where are my friends?’”

—Marcella Taylor, on her daughter Taylor-Corrine Benton’s first day of preschool

Looking for Support?

We believe that every kid deserves to be empowered with essential skills and resources that help them thrive and be successful at school. Looking to enroll your family in this program? Find your nearest agency and contact one of our partner organizations by clicking on the button below.

Get Help

Real People. Real Stories.

Support Our Work

Our goal is to make ParentChild+ program available to even more low-income families in King County. With your support, we can help more of them. Every dollar counts.

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