SEATTLE — The state House has approved a bill essential to an expected $60 million grant from the federal government for early learning.
The measure would require the Washington Department of Early Learning to adopt a set of expectations about what preschool teachers would be able to offer their students.
Some lawmakers expressed concerns about the bill before it passed the House on a vote of 68-28 on Thursday. They say some child care providers may feel threatened by new requirements from the state. And Rep. John Ahern says he voted no because little kids should be out playing, not involved in a structured atmosphere.
The bill was approved in the Senate in February and now heads to the governor’s desk.
Washington is one of nine states to win a share of more than $500 million in new federal dollars for early learning initiatives.
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