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Crossing into Kindergarten: How Child Care Providers Set Little Learners Up for Success

August 28, 2026

Now that Summer is winding down, it’s time to think about heading back to school. One of the biggest challenges for child care providers is getting their kids ready for the classroom. Some of the older children have already experienced this back-to-school process, but for younger kids, it may be their first time ever heading into a classroom setting. Where do I start? There are certainly a lot of things to think about when getting kids ready for their first day of

Summer Activities: Ice Blocks and Sponge Necklaces

August 21, 2026

Summer is in full swing and it’s important for kids to get outside and enjoy nature. We have come up with a few fun activities that will help kids get familiar with the outdoors and learn some new skills. These are easy to do, and fun for the entire group. Ice Block Painting – On a hot summer day, this can be a great way to get kids outside and staying cool. Take some poster paint, and put it into an ice

Staying Safe in the Sun: How to Keep Little Ones Protected from the Sun

July 24, 2026

Every sunny day is an invitation to play, but for children, too much unprotected sun exposure comes with real risks. Skin damage from UV rays accumulates over a lifetime, and the habits we establish in childhood can make a profound difference. Why Sun Protection Is So Important for Children Children’s skin is more sensitive than adult skin, making it more vulnerable to UV damage. Research from the American Academy of Dermatology shows that even a few serious sunburns in childhood can significantly

When School’s Out: Why One-Size-Fits-All Child Care Doesn’t Work

July 15, 2026

Summer break brings a familiar scramble for families: school is out, but work isn’t. As parents search for child care centers to fill that gap, it’s tempting for programs to treat every child equally. The centers that get it right are the ones that stop thinking in terms of the group and start meeting the needs of each child according to their age. Toddlers: Routine is Key For toddlers, the world is still brand new, and consistency is everything. A predictable daily

The Summer Rush: How Child Care Centers Prepare for the Influx of Kids

July 7, 2026

When school lets out for the summer, child care centers often experience a surge in enrollment. Working parents need a safe place to watch their kids during the day and many centers welcome school-age children alongside their regular preschool programs. While this seasonal increase creates new opportunities, it also presents unique challenges for providers. One of the biggest concerns is maintaining quality care while accommodating more children. Additional students can mean busier schedules and increased demand on staff. Providers must ensure they

Juneteenth: Honoring History, Strengthening Community, and Investing in the Future

June 18, 2026

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on our nation’s history, celebrate the resilience and contributions of Black Americans, and recognize the work that continues to build stronger communities for future generations. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865—the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. In 2021, Washington state officially recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday, and shortly thereafter it became a federal holiday. As we observe Juneteenth,

Fun Spring Activities to Keep Kids Creative and Active

June 2, 2026

It’s that time of year again when the sun stays out longer and the weather gets warmer. It’s also the perfect season for kids to get outside, stay active, and explore their creativity. If you’re looking for simple ways to get kids excited about Spring, here are a few fun activities your kids can enjoy while learning along the way. Shadow Tracing This is one of the easiest activities you can do with your kids. Take them outside and find a bright

Provider Spotlight: Nidia Hernandez

November 17, 2025

View in Español Opening Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way Through Partnership, Persistence, and Community Support MEET NIDIA When Nidia Hernandez opened Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way, she wasn’t simply starting a business. She was stepping into a calling she had been preparing for quietly, patiently, and with unwavering belief. As one of three providers to open through the City of Federal Way’s investment in the Imagine Institute’s Imagine U program, Nidia’s success shows what can happen when determination meets the

Answering the Call for Providers During the Pandemic

May 22, 2025

View in Español The Imagine Institute is driving meaningful change in early learning across Washington State- but it’s the strength of provider relationships that truly brings that mission to life. One powerful example is Maria Muñoz, a licensed provider whose journey into child care was inspired by her deep passion for supporting children and strengthened by the guidance of a trusted mentor. We took some time to meet with Maria to learn more about her experiences with child care and Imagine U.

From Intern to Mentor: One Provider’s Impact with Imagine U

May 13, 2025

View in Español One of the most powerful parts of the Imagine U program at the Imagine Institute is the meaningful, lasting relationships built between mentors and interns. Through our peer-based mentorship model, new early learning providers are paired with experienced mentors who understand the journey firsthand. Amparo Yoguez Rubio is one of our mentors who has made a lasting impact on many interns over the years. We spoke with Amparo to learn more about her story— what inspires her, what she’s

Summer Learning: Seasons Around the World

August 29, 2024

We finally find ourselves in that time of year that kids everywhere dread – the return of the school year. Throughout this Summer Learning series, we’ve aimed to incorporate continued education into your child care. Learning is such a vital part of early development, and we hope you’ve found these topics interesting and fun to teach children about! To round out the series, we’re covering seasons around the world to explore the geography and cultural significance of seasons on our diverse planet.

Increasing Child Care Access in Whatcom County

August 28, 2024

The Imagine Institute and Whatcom County Health and Community Services are working together to support working families by increasing access to licensed child care, right in your community. Know someone in Whatcom County who would like to join Imagine U this year and start their own family home child care business? This program takes only 10 months and provides compensation for hands-on learning! About Imagine U Imagine U is a relationship-based mentorship program designed to increase the number of licensed family child

Back-to-School Activities for Kids

August 15, 2024

It’s that time of year again when Summer break ends, and kids are heading back to school. Even if you are provider, you can get into the school spirit. We have a few activities you can share with your kids to make starting school more fun, and to get them excited to learn. School Scavenger Hunt – There are many ways to get kids excited about starting school, including a scavenger hunt. Place school supplies around the room and have kids go

Summer Learning: History of Summer Snacks

July 31, 2024

The beautiful, warm summer months are in full swing. Swimming, popsicles, camping, and more marks a great summer. This year, we also want to make learning a staple of the summer! In June, we started our Summer Learning series on the Imagine Institute’s blog. This month, we’re continuing our series of fun topics you can incorporate into your child care in an educational capacity. For July, we’re covering the history and invention of favorite summer snacks. Take a look! The Popsicle WHO

Inspire Kindness with Ice Cream Books

July 15, 2024

National Ice Cream Month Is a great opportunity to share a sweet treat with the kids in your life. These ice cream-themed picture books will help you share a few sweet life lessons, too. For easy recipes to enjoy while you read, check out our ice cream activities blog. Saffron Ice Cream, by Rashin Kheiriyeh On her first trip to an American beach, a little girl remembers her former home in Iran and wonders what her new home will be like. She

Summer Learning: Nature in the Pacific Northwest

June 28, 2024

Summer is officially upon us, and school is out of session for the next few months. But the learning doesn’t need to stop there! Here at the Imagine Institute we wanted to put together a small series of blogs to share some ideas of topics you can cover in your child care to keep the learning going this summer. In this Summer Learning series, we’ll share fun topics of education you can incorporate into your child care this summer and beyond. This

Celebrate Pride Month with Fun Activities for Kids

June 27, 2024

June is Pride Month, and it’s a good opportunity to celebrate inclusion and equality with your kids. There are several activities to help kids understand what Pride is about and to promote the spirit of inclusion and representation. We have gathered a few ideas we think you’ll enjoy. Create a Rainbow Collage – Start by grabbing a big piece of paper and using crayons to draw a rainbow right in the center. Then find scraps of colored paper, stickers, glitter, thin wood

A graphic that reads "Picture Books for Safety Month" in an octagon the color of a stop sign, with other street signs in the background

Encourage Safety Skills with Fun Picture Books

June 24, 2024

Communities all over the country recognize National Safety Month each June. Picture books are a fun way to teach personal and community safety skills in ways that make kids laugh and listen. How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?, by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague Giant, colorful, feathery, silly dinosaurs learn about everything from safely crossing the street to dialing 9-1-1 in this rhyming story that reminds kids they can always make good choices (and will make them laugh, too.) No Dragons for Tea:

A graphic featuring small children dressed up like an astronaut, doctor, chef, construction worker and other jobs with the text "Explore Careers With Picture Books"

Explore Careers With Picture Books

April 26, 2024

In April, we celebrate Take Your Child to Work Day. Inspire kids to think about all the incredible things they can do when they grow up with these fun picture books! And don’t miss a personal Take Your Child to Work Day story from the Imagine Institute’s Marketing and Communications Lead, Devon Allen. Ada Twist, Scientist, by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts Little Ada Marie’s first word is “why?” and she never stops asking questions about the world. Her parents get

Growing Up as the Child of a Provider

April 25, 2024

Imagine Institute’s Devon Allen shares his experience growing up with his mother’s child care at home for Take Your Child to Work Day. The fourth Thursday in April every year is National Take Your Child to Work Day. This year it falls on Thursday, April 25th. With the rise of working from home, a lot of children are getting new insight into what work looks like for their parents. For some of us, though, every day was Take Your Child to Work