King County Executive issues proclamation recognizing May 9 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day

Published May 9, 2025

To recognize the vital work of child care workers, King County Executive Shannon Braddock issued a proclamation Friday designating May 9 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.

Here’s how Best Starts supports child care in King County

The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Worker Wage Boost pilot is up and running and reaching child care workers across King County with a wage increase, to study the benefit of government investments in the workforce.

Through 2027 the pilot will invest $25 million in the pilot and evaluate how workers with the wage boost benefit, tracking worker experiences with well-being, retention, and financial stability.

Best Starts also is investing more than $163 million in the Best Starts Child Care Subsidy to reach families who are not eligible for other subsides. This deep subsidy helps King County families cover the cost of child care.

Families who want to apply can now fill out a five-minute form to be considered for funding later this year.

According to a recent survey of families who received the subsidy, respondents shared that the subsidy helped them pursue career and education goals, spend more time with children and loved ones, and helped them pay their bills and cover the cost of basic needs.