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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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Imagine Spotlight Pierce County: Diego Ramos

April 8, 2024

The Imagine Institute helps support early learning providers all across Washington State, and like to keep track of the progress these providers are making. This week, we want to introduce you to Diego Ramos, who is helping kids in Pierce County, and helping to start a new trend in helping other providers in his community.   MEET DIEGO Diego lives in Tacoma and has been a licensed family home child care provider for about three years, but his training goes back even

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Spring Into New Activities For Kids

April 1, 2024

The ground is thawing out, and the weather is getting warm. Spring is here, and it’s time to find some seasonal activities for your kids. Whether it’s outside or inside, we have some ideas for you that are fun and entertaining for your group. Cloud Paintings – The weather can change a lot during spring, and that means there are many different types of clouds in the sky. Take your kids outside to identify some of them. They can draw or paint

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A graphic that shows two girls reading books in the text "Women's History Month: Girl Power Picture Books"

Picture Books about the Power of Girls

March 29, 2024

Women’s History Month is a wonderful time to share the stories of remarkable women who girls can look up to. But girls also need to hear stories about the amazing things they can do while they’re young. Children of all genders will be inspired by these true stories of incredible girls, too! Malala’s Magic Pencil, by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala’s first picture book shares how she dreamed of making the world a better place as a

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A young woman with brown hair stands on a beach

Imagine Spotlight: Alexis Wynne

March 15, 2024

This week, we are excited to highlight Alexis Wynne, who runs a family home child care business in Auburn, Washington.   MEET ALEXIS Alexis grew up in the child care business. Her mother, Carli Meek, started Little Steps Discovery Zone when Alexis was 7 years old and her sister was a baby. When she was a young teenager, Alexis started volunteering at Little Steps. She took a break after graduating high school, but she soon found her way back to child care.

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Two women, a mother and her adult daughter, sit in a car together

Imagine Spotlight: Carli Meek

March 11, 2024

This week, we are excited to highlight Carli Meek, the program manager for Imagine U and a longtime child care provider in Auburn, Washington.   MEET CARLI When Carli had her second daughter in 2004, she had just finished dental assistant school. But her plans quickly changed. Her sister also had a newborn, and the two enjoyed staying home with their babies so much, they decided to start a family home child care business. “I was able to stay home with my

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A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 9: Final Remarks," with an image of a Black person with a green, yellow and red flag draped over their shoulders

Black History Month 2024: Final Remarks

March 2, 2024

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Throughout this series, we have covered some parts of Black History in celebration of Black History Month 2024. To wrap up this series,

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A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 8: Soul Food," with an image of a white bowl filled with shrimp and grits

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – Soul Food

March 2, 2024

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. All About Soul Food Soul food originated in the American south during the Antebellum period and is associated with the cuisine of the

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A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 7: Literature & Resistance," with an image of a Black man in a beige sweater and jeans reading a book

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – “The Art of Resistance”: Protesting Through Literature

March 1, 2024

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Influence of Literature Literature is a fundamental avenue of Black expression in the United States, and one that has been historically suppressed. Pre-dating

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A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 6: Protesting Through Song," with an image of a vinyl record

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – “The Art of Resistance”: Protesting Through Song

March 1, 2024

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Song writing and performance has been a marker of protest and resistance for Black Americans for centuries. It is also a marker of

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A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month: Part 5: Presidential Proclamation and Theme," and an image of an official letter

Black History Month 2024: Presidential Proclamation and Theme

February 27, 2024

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. On January 31st 2024, President Joseph R. Biden released A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024. It has been customary for all

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