Child Care & Early Learning
Why it matters & Rebecca’s leadership
Raising a family is economically out of reach for far too many families. Rebecca understands that child care and high-quality early learning are foundational to creating a strong economy, gender equity, and children’s lifelong success. For over a decade as a community organizer and Senator, she has led the fight to make child care more affordable for families and raise wages for providers.
Key accomplishments
Passed the Fair Start for Kids Act and the tax on Capital Gains, making the ultra-rich pay their fair share to dramatically expand access to affordable child care and early learning statewide.
Cut barriers to access childcare assistance programs including removing restrictions preventing care for the children of undocumented immigrants.
Helped build dozens of early learning and childcare facilities serving thousands of families, through significant investments from the capital budget.
Raised wages, strengthened benefits, and increased financial support to stabilize the child care workforce.
Looking ahead on King County Council
On the King County Council, Rebecca is fighting for universal, free childcare from birth to school age. She will treat child care as essential public infrastructure — building on the framework she built with Best Starts for Kids, expanding facilities, supporting childcare providers, and expanding access for all families.