As Bellingham Public Schools administrators walk into their new Barkley office, they’re now faced with children laughing and squealing as they clamor on a small slide and ride balance bikes outside.
Several children broke in the new playground and new classrooms on their first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the district’s Early Learning Center. Puzzles were contemplated, imaginary lunch parties held and tiny chairs were filled with the center’s first group.
Two classrooms, enough to house 40 children ages 3 and 4, were part of the $32 million project funded by bonds passed in 2013 and 2022.
“We wanted to create a space where kids could be here, where our district would embrace having early childhood systems,” said Arionda Feeney, the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning who oversees the elementary schools and early childhood education systems.
Ten slots are reserved for children of district staff — a major need in the district — and the children of teen parents who graduated from the Graduation, Reality And Dual-role Skills (GRADS) program within the district.
“The continuity of caregivers and program and philosophy is so important to our young learners, so I’m really happy to be able to serve them,” Feeney said. For GRADS kids that stay, they’ll continue on to kindergarten within the same district that supports their parents.
The other 30 slots are reserved for 3- and 4-year-olds who qualify for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). ECEAP is a state-run program that provides funding to child care facilities to support families that are low-income, struggling with homelessness, receiving government assistance and navigating other environmental factors. Children with disabilities or developmental delays can also qualify.
The district is currently connecting with families who qualify for ECEAP to fill the remaining spaces in the new center. They expect to get more students in the classrooms within the next few months.
The Early Learning Center hosts children six hours a day, five days a week during the standard school year. They’re provided with breakfast, lunch and a snack throughout the day and follow state standards for early education.
The district received $457,000 through a grant from the Department of Commerce for the facility, said Dana Smith, assistant director of communications.
For enrollment through ECEAP, contact Northwest Educational Service District 189 administrative assistant Katie Jennings at kjennings@nwesd.org.
This story was updated to include information about the funding of the facility on Friday, Sept. 6 at 8:38 a.m.
Hailey Hoffman is a CDN visual journalist; reach her at haileyhoffman@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 103.
