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ECEAP Program

Please email our Office Professional Christine Eason or call (425) 335-1643 with questions regarding testing, screening, qualifying for our program, your child's current IEP, or additional information about our developmental preschool program.

The following content is borrowed from the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families website.

ECEAP (pronounced "E-Cap") is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program funded by Washington State for children 3 and 4 and, in some locations, infants or toddlers who are younger than 3 years old.

ECEAP includes:

  • Free early learning child care or preschool to support child's development and learning. In some locations, Head Start may also offer home-based services.
  • Family support and parent involvement.
  • Child health coordination and nutrition.
  • Services responsive and appropriate to each child's and family's heritage and experience.

Children who attend ECEAP learn to manage their feelings, get along with others and follow classroom procedures. They build the beginning skills for reading, math and science. The programs work closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals. They help families access medical and dental care and social services.

Enrollment

Most children are eligible for ECEAP and Head Start based on their age and family income. Up to 10% of ECEAP and Head Start slots can be filled by children above the income requirement who have multiple support needs, including:

  • Environmental factors such as homelessness, family violence, chemical dependency, foster care, or incarcerated parents.
  • Developmental factors such as developmental delay or other special needs.

In addition, children with disabilities who qualify for special education services and/or previously participated in certain birth to age three programs are also eligible for ECEAP.

After eligibility is determined, children are prioritized for enrollment as space is available in their communities.

Eligibility

ECEAP children must be 3 years old but not yet 5 years old on August 31st of the school year, and:

  • From a family with income at or below 36% of the state median income (SMI), which includes all children in foster care and all families with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families  (TANF) grants,
  • Is a tribal child defined by rule from Washington State federally recognized tribes and DCYF, and from a family with income at or below 100% SMI,
  • On Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for special education,
  • Experiencing homelessness, or
  • Has participated in:
    • Early ECEAP,
    • Early Head Start (EHS),
    • Early Support for Infants and Toddlers ESIT) or received class C developmental services from another state, or
    • Early Childhood Intervention and Prevention Services (ECLIPSE)
  • Some children may be accepted who are over the income limit, if they have developmental or environmental factors.

Early ECEAP children must be an infant or toddler younger than 3 years old, and:

  • From a family with income at or below 50% of SMI,
  • Is a tribal child defined by rule from Washington State federally recognized tribes and DCYF, and from a family with income at or below 100% SMI,
  • Receiving early intervention services with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP),
  • Experiencing homelessness, or
  • Has participated in:
    • EHS
    • ESIT or received class C developmental services from another state, or
    • ECLIPSE