In classrooms across King County, public health is at work: though not always in the ways you might expect. It’s happening in quiet moments of partnership with early learning educators, through culturally responsive tools and trainings, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team focused on children’s well-being from the very beginning. This is the work of the Child Care Health Program (CCHP) at Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Meeting educators where they’re at
Every parent wants to know their child is safe, and every educator wants to feel ready to provide that safety, whether its keeping classrooms clean and healthy day to day or knowing what to do in an emergency. That is where the Child Care Health Program (CCHP) steps in. With a dedicated team of nurses, mental health clinicians, a nutritionist, and educator consultants, the CCHP works alongside providers to make sure every child has a caring, supportive place to learn and grow.
No two classrooms are the same, and neither are the communities they serve. The CCHP tailors its consultation for the varying challenges of each early learning site, meeting educators where they are, focusing on their most pressing concerns, and building confidence where it’s needed most.
So, what does that look like? In one center that might mean reviewing asthma care plans or helping to manage food allergies; in another, perhaps strengthening cleaning routines or giving teachers new tools to support children’s emotional well-being.
“Our Mental Health Consultant recommended giving a hyperactive child more access to sensory materials like sand and water to help them stay engaged. It made a big difference—and I’ve continued using those strategies in my classroom.” – Family Home Child Care Provider
By offering tools that work and centering relationships founded on trust and cultural respect, the CCHP strengthens early learning environments from the inside out. Today, more than 200 early learning programs across Seattle and King County benefit from the CCHP’s consultations, online resources, care plans, and practical tools. And when asked about the difference this makes, educators’ voices say it best.
High marks illustrate the impact
In 2024–2025, the Child Care Health Program underwent a formal evaluation that captured the story and impact of its services through the perspectives of the care providers who receive them. This process offered a meaningful pause to reflect and hear directly from educators about what the CCHP means to them and how it is making a difference.
The results went beyond expectations, highlighting the power of relationship-based public health guidance:
- High satisfaction: 93% of participants reported satisfaction with CCHP services, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5
- Educators put what they learn into practice: 82% of educators made changes to their practice based on CCHP guidance
- CCHP leads to health improvements for children: Participants reported improvements in developmental screening, disease prevention, and care planning
- Individual consultation results in greater confidence and knowledge: Educators who engaged in direct consultation reported higher levels of confidence and knowledge than those who used resources alone
- Trusted relationships built: Educator-consultant relationships received an average rating of 4.3 out of 5, with trust cited as a key driver of growth
Responding to child care community’s growing needs for support
Supporting a multitude of care communities with varying needs meant a multi-pronged and equitable approach to providing guidance, including improving access for providers who cannot access direct consultation. Developing equitable resources that are not only available online, but also usable, clear, and culturally relevant, became a large part of ensuring that access for the CCHP. But they didn’t do this work alone.
“[CCHP has] a balance between what has to happen for licensing and what should happen in a way that honors each family’s cultural background.” – Administrator from Early Learning Program
What you’ll find today are materials co-created and re-designed with feedback from educators and community. Written in plain language and translated into multiple languages, these tools reflect the diversity of King County and the state of Washington, to honor the providers, children, and families they serve. So, whether in a large nationally affiliated center, a family-run preschool, or an informal caregiver setting, the CCHP can offer resources that meet early learning providers and educators where they are.
An investment in children’s lasting health, a public health model for the future
This is what public health looks like when rooted in trust, cultural respect, and a commitment to serving the community. By responding to real-world needs, CCHP continues to stand out as a model of equity-driven public health with both the child care providers themselves, and the children and families receiving the benefits of this support.
What begins in those quiet classroom moments ripples out into lifelong impact. The Child Care Health Program may be at work behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center: partnership that strengthens the systems that care for our children, so they can thrive from the very beginning. With sustained investment, the CCHP can continue supporting early learning educators to create the safest and most nurturing environments, setting the stage for lifelong health and well-being of our county’s youngest members.
Learn more about the Child Care Health Program and explore its resources at kingcounty.gov/childcare.
Originally published on February 19, 2026.