Close

Notice: We are currently experiencing technical issues with our phone system. Please leave a voicemail, and we will return your call as soon as our system is restored. You may also reach us by email at **@*******wa.org. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube
SMS or Email Preference
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube

BLOG

Filter
Categories

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

Providers Find Community in Kitsap County

February 18, 2025

Child care and early learning have one of the strongest communities in any professional field. It’s an industry built on togetherness and support where families, providers, and supporting organizations alike come together to benefit the youth across Washington State. In Kitsap County, Elisha Rhodes, Catalina María Escamilla Fonseca, and Tenika Williams are part of a strong early learning community connected by their work with the Imagine Institute. MEET ELISHA, CATALINA, AND TENIKA Elisha Rhodes began her journey toward licensure five years ago

Read More

Child Care Center Opens New Doors For Parents In Clallam County

February 14, 2025

Often when we think of child care needs, our thoughts tend to gravitate towards highly populated areas of our state. In reality, child care is a universal need for families all over Washington State. Over in the Olympic Peninsula, Cassie Davidson is preparing to open Clallam Bay Early Learning Center. With help from the Imagine Institute and her passion and dedication to early learning, Cassie is hoping to bring some much-needed relief to families in this beautiful community. MEET CASSIE  Born and

Read More

From Germany to Ghana: One Provider’s Journey to Child Care

February 4, 2025

It started as a way to help her family, but now one provider in Western Washington has turned early childhood education into a career. For more than three decades Carol Morris has been involved in child care, and she is working with the Imagine Institute to help others start their own provider business. She also is planning an educational trip to Ghana. MEET CAROL Carol Morris grew up in the Chicago area and joined the military after High School. While she was

Read More

The Imagine Institute Helps Provider Realize Her Dream

October 29, 2024

Helping with early childhood learning is a passion for many people across Washington State, but it can sometimes be difficult to learn all the tools or even get the correct licenses to run a business. Marycruz Contreras says Imagine helped her get through these roadblocks to realize her dream of running her own child care business. MEET MARYCRUZ Marycruz has been working in child care and early childhood learning for nearly three decades. In 2010, she started her journey to become a

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

Providers Find Community in Kitsap County

February 18, 2025

Child care and early learning have one of the strongest communities in any professional field. It’s an industry built on togetherness and support where families, providers, and supporting organizations alike come together to benefit the youth across Washington State. In Kitsap County, Elisha Rhodes, Catalina María Escamilla Fonseca, and Tenika Williams are part of a strong early learning community connected by their work with the Imagine Institute. MEET ELISHA, CATALINA, AND TENIKA Elisha Rhodes began her journey toward licensure five years ago

Read More

Child Care Center Opens New Doors For Parents In Clallam County

February 14, 2025

Often when we think of child care needs, our thoughts tend to gravitate towards highly populated areas of our state. In reality, child care is a universal need for families all over Washington State. Over in the Olympic Peninsula, Cassie Davidson is preparing to open Clallam Bay Early Learning Center. With help from the Imagine Institute and her passion and dedication to early learning, Cassie is hoping to bring some much-needed relief to families in this beautiful community. MEET CASSIE  Born and

Read More

From Germany to Ghana: One Provider’s Journey to Child Care

February 4, 2025

It started as a way to help her family, but now one provider in Western Washington has turned early childhood education into a career. For more than three decades Carol Morris has been involved in child care, and she is working with the Imagine Institute to help others start their own provider business. She also is planning an educational trip to Ghana. MEET CAROL Carol Morris grew up in the Chicago area and joined the military after High School. While she was

Read More

The Imagine Institute Helps Provider Realize Her Dream

October 29, 2024

Helping with early childhood learning is a passion for many people across Washington State, but it can sometimes be difficult to learn all the tools or even get the correct licenses to run a business. Marycruz Contreras says Imagine helped her get through these roadblocks to realize her dream of running her own child care business. MEET MARYCRUZ Marycruz has been working in child care and early childhood learning for nearly three decades. In 2010, she started her journey to become a

Read More
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form