Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has introduced a new initiative, Every Child Ready, alongside a proposal to renew the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy, which is set to expire at the end of this year. The announcement was made in collaboration with Councilmember Maritza Rivera, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), and a group of education leaders, advocates, students, and families.
The Every Child Ready initiative is designed to support Seattle’s youth from early learning through to college and career. The proposal aims to invest in affordable childcare, create safe and healthy school environments, and provide pathways to college and jobs through free tuition at Seattle Colleges.
“The rising costs of childcare, the impact of the pandemic on student mental health, and the uncertainty surrounding federal education funding make this the right time to reinvest in our youth,” said Mayor Harrell. “This initiative will help make Seattle one of the best cities in the nation to start and raise a family, ensuring every child—regardless of neighborhood—can reach their full potential.”
Key Features of the Proposal
Childcare Expansion: The proposal will more than double the number of affordable childcare slots, adding 1,400 per year. It also includes direct payments to retain 5,000 childcare workers across the city.
Preschool Program Growth: The Seattle Preschool Program will expand by 600 seats, offering access to 3,100 preschool slots annually, making the program available to more families.
Youth Mental Health and Safety: The proposal includes new school-based health centers, additional mental health staffing, and telehealth services to address the mental health needs of students.
Seattle Promise: The Seattle Promise program will continue to provide free tuition and expenses for up to two years at Seattle Colleges for all Seattle public school graduates.
Workforce Development: A new Path to Trades program will be created to help high school graduates enter skilled trades through apprenticeships and job training.
To fund these initiatives, Mayor Harrell has proposed a $1.3 billion property tax levy over six years. This would cost the median Seattle homeowner about $654 per year, based on a tax rate of $0.61 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Every Child Ready Initiative Breakdown
The Every Child Ready initiative will focus on three key areas: Ready to Start, Ready to Learn, and Ready to Launch.
Ready to Start: The initiative will allocate $658.2 million to increase access to high-quality, affordable childcare and early learning for children before they start kindergarten. This includes:
- $452.6 million for preschool programs, adding 600 new seats annually.
- $154.8 million to expand the Child Care Assistance Program, creating 800 new subsidized childcare slots.
- $32.3 million for prenatal-to-three supports to improve parental health and prepare children for kindergarten.
- $18.5 million for workforce supports to retain childcare workers.
Ready to Learn: A $506.7 million investment will focus on K-12 education, student safety, and mental health. Key investments include:
- $271.6 million for expanded learning programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, serving over 19,000 youth.
- $188.5 million for school health and mental health services, including new health centers and expanded telehealth support.
- $46.6 million to improve school safety and ensure secure environments for students.
Ready to Launch: The $82.4 million investment will help high school graduates succeed in college or enter the workforce. This includes:
- $66.2 million to sustain the Seattle Promise program, offering free tuition and expenses to Seattle public high school graduates.
- $14 million for new Career Pathways, including apprenticeships in skilled trades.
- $2.2 million for the Path to UW program, supporting transfers from Seattle Colleges to the University of Washington.
Long-Term Impact and Support
Mayor Harrell’s proposal is designed to provide a stable funding source through 2032, ensuring that Seattle’s youth continue to receive strong educational support, especially as federal funding faces potential cuts. The proposal has been informed by feedback from nearly 700 educators, childcare providers, and students, making it the largest education levy in Seattle since the first FEPP levy passed in 1990.
Councilmember Maritza Rivera expressed her support, saying, “This proposal ensures Seattle children are set up for a lifetime of success with access to high-quality early learning, academic support, and a path to higher education or trades.”
The proposal is currently under review by the Seattle City Council’s Select Committee on the FEPP Levy. If approved, the measure will be placed on the November 2025 ballot for voter approval.
Announcement Location
The Mayor made the announcement at Tiny Tots Development Center, located in Seattle’s Othello neighborhood. The center, which opened in 2022, received $2.4 million in funding from the City to provide 80 childcare seats. It is also home to the Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic Othello, a City partner providing health services to Seattle youth.
Mayor Harrell emphasized that this initiative will ensure that every child in Seattle has the opportunity to succeed, from their earliest years through to adulthood.
