Washington state announced 2,400 new slots in its Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program at 42 new sites for the 2026-27 school year, funded through a public-private partnership with the Ballmer Group.
State and Ballmer Group grant funds will award over $251 million to early learning providers, according to Governor Ferguson's office.
ECEAP provides free preschool to low-income families with 3- and 4-year-olds whose family income is at or below 36 percent of the state median income—$50,152 per year for a family of four. Children with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness, family violence, or foster care status are also eligible.
The Ballmer Group's grant is expected to fund up to 10,000 additional seats over the next 10 years, totaling approximately $1 billion in support for early learning.
Some sites that previously committed to the expansion have since returned funds due to workforce shortages and challenges with opening new classrooms.