The Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD) announced today that it intends to apply for an expanded Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program ECEAP contract to significantly increase access to high-quality preschool for children and families beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

In July 2025, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) reduced NWESD’s ECEAP enrollment capacity — from 70 children in 2024–25 to 49 for the current year — following statewide budget reductions. After careful evaluation, NWESD determined that funding this smaller number of children was unsustainable and would not allow the agency and its school district partners to provide the comprehensive, high-quality early learning experience that ECEAP is designed to deliver. As a result, NWESD planned to step away from the program at the end of this year.

Major Philanthropic-State Investment Opens a Path Forward for Families

Now, a transformative investment from the Ballmer Group is helping Washington rebuild and expand access to early learning. The Ballmer Group has committed up to $170 million annually over the next decade to help the state reach up to 10,000 additional preschool openings for children furthest from opportunity.

This investment creates a new opportunity for NWESD and its school district partners to serve more families across northwest Washington. NWESD intends to apply to expand its program so that more 3- and 4-year-olds can access the early learning, health support, and family engagement services that help prepare children for kindergarten and long-term success.

“High-quality early learning requires stable enrollment, sustainable funding, and the ability to provide the full range of supports that families count on,” said Dr. Ismael Vivanco, Superintendent. “This expansion opportunity gives us a path to continue providing comprehensive services to children and families in our region.”

If approved, NWESD’s expanded ECEAP program would strengthen kindergarten readiness, deepen family partnerships, allow families to pursue educational and/or career goals, and ensure more equitable access to the early learning experiences that families across northwest Washington deserve.

For more information, please contact Briana Lindquist, NWESD 189 Communications Specialist, at 360-299-4714 or blindquist@nwesd.org.