Staff Qualificatiosn workgroup information and call to action ! 🙌

The Staff Qualifications group is underway and they meet once a month. The WCCA has placed our very own WCCA member Johnny Otto on the workgroup. He is seeking your help to ensure he is representing you !

Meet Johnny Otto

WCCA Child Care Leaders,

My name is Johnny Otto, I am the Executive Director of Small Faces Child Development Center in Seattle. I am also the WCCA representative on the Workgroup making recommendations for the state's education requirements for teachers and child care leaders. I want to make sure that I am able to represent the diverse perspectives of WCCA members to the group and I need your help. As the director of a large child care center in Seattle, I know that I can authentically represent that perspective. In order to represent the perspective of providers in other parts of the state, in both urban and rural environments, I need to hear from leaders with that perspective and experience. If any of you would be available to meet with me for a quick interview session about your experience with the state's education requirements, the stackable certificates, getting teacher's enrolled in courses, etc. I would very much appreciate your help. You can reach out to me directly at johnny@smallfaces.org. Thank you in advance for your help!

Washington State HB 1648 Staff Qualifications Workgroup

The Staff Qualifications Workgroup was established through Washington State’s 2025 legislative session with the passage of HB 1648. Its purpose is to develop clear, accessible alternative pathways for child care providers to meet licensing requirements related to staff qualifications. The Washington Childcare Center Association (WCCA) played a key role in advancing this legislation and continues to advocate for consistent implementation of the law and meaningful, provider-informed solutions.

"At a time when the child care workforce is already stretched thin and undervalued, we must champion policies that open doors, not close them. HB 1648 is a step toward a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable future for the professionals who make all other work possible"

- Susan Brown- WCCA Board member

Calling all members! We need your help!

A workforce oversight board is going to be brought forth again this year during session. We need to work together to fight this extra oversight. Our WCCA board member Angelia Hicks- Maxie is hoping to put a group together to brainstorm ideas , collaborate and work hard to fight this. Please email us at wcca@wachild.com to get on this very important work group.

Thank you !