Committee hears support for allowing some three‑year‑olds to enroll in ECAP when space is available

The committee heard a staff briefing and public testimony on substitute House Bill 13 51, which would allow the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to enroll three‑year‑old children who turn three after the August 31 cutoff into the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECAP) when space and funding permit.

Under current law, children must have turned three by Aug. 31 to qualify for ECAP enrollment for that school year. The substitute bill would permit DCYF, subject to available funding and classroom space, to enroll additional three‑year‑olds who otherwise meet standard eligibility criteria. The staff briefing noted that children enrolled under this “allowed enrollment” are not included in the statutory entitlement population that becomes guaranteed in the 2026–27 school year, and that ECAP slot counts remain set in the budget.

Committee staff said the fiscal note for the substitute bill states there are no new costs associated with the change because adding eligible children under existing slots does not alter budgeted slot counts. Staff cautioned that increasing the eligible pool without adding new slots could create a wait list if slots are filled; legislators set ECAP slot counts in the budget process each year.

Supporters, including the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP, said the change would allow children who narrowly miss the birthday cutoff to enroll in existing classrooms with open slots and would avoid returning unused ECAP slots. Testimony emphasized the measure uses existing program capacity and does not require additional funding by itself.

The committee did not take action.