Seattle Public Schools families may be able to access meals, child care, and community resources if a union strike delays the start of school on Wednesday.
Seattle will offer free recreation programs for students in kindergarten through sixth grade if a teachers' strike delays the start of the Seattle Public Schools year, Mayor Katie Wilson announced Tuesday.
The free, staffed drop-in programs will begin Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at four community centers. Registration is required, and priority will go to children already enrolled in Seattle Parks and Recreation child care programs.
Programs will be offered at:
- Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave. NE
- Montlake Community Center, 1618 E. Calhoun St.
- Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. S
- South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave. S
Wilson said the city is directing Seattle Parks and Recreation to provide short-term child care if a strike occurs.
“I, like many Seattle families, hope Seattle Public Schools and SEA leadership come to a fair agreement that navigates challenging economic conditions on all sides, respects educators and school staff, and gives students the support they need,” Wilson said in a statement.
Seattle Public Schools families may need access to meals, child care and other resources if a [union strike delays the start of school Wednesday](https://komonews.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/no-agreement-seattle-public-schools-sps-teachers-union-contract-possible-strike-delay-class-size-special-education-pay-seattle-education-association-budget-deficit).
As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, the district and the Seattle Education Association had not reached a contract agreement. The union, which represents about 6,000 teachers, counselors, nurses and other staff, has authorized a strike if no deal is reached.
If a strike delays the start of school, SPS will provide food for students from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said. He said the district also plans to offer other services at schools.
“I want to say very directly to the families that we are always working with you in mind,” Shuldiner said. “We know that the decision to make sure school opens is incredibly important. You have to make decisions about child care, transportation and food, so we are trying our absolute best to get a resolution. But again, just in case, we are going to be able to support you at our schools with food and other sorts of services.”
Shuldiner said the district is in touch with school-based nonprofits and other groups that may be able to provide before- and after-school care if a strike delays the start of school. Families should contact their child’s school directly for the most current information about meal service, care and other programs.
Families enrolled in before- or after-school child care in an SPS building should contact their provider directly about operating hours. The district’s list of child care partners is available online.
Families participating in Seattle’s Child Care Assistance Program will automatically receive additional subsidies for full-day care if their provider has capacity, according to the city. Information about the program is available here.
The city also identified several licensed child care providers with openings for full-day care. Families should contact providers directly to confirm availability, cost, and enrollment requirements.
Families can also view SPS’s list of aligned community partners, including school-based before- and after-school licensed child care programs and community learning centers.
- North Seattle: LASER Childcare at Bryant Elementary School, 206-525-9160, ages 5-12.
- Central Seattle: Causey’s Learning Center, 206-322-9929, ages 0-kindergarten; Cosmopolitan Kids Downtown, 206-492-7481, ages 0-9; Cosmopolitan Kids Uptown Academy, 206-284-2845, ages 0-8; and Seattle Amistad School, 206-325-3172, ages 1-12.
- South Seattle: Boru Early Learning, 206-307-7149; Bright Start Family Home Child Care, 206-349-4613; CDFD Childcare, 206-354-1886; Denise’s Learning Center, 206-723-2422; Empowering Youth and Families Outreach II, 206-803-3936; Fatax Home Childcare LLC, 206-730-9696; FirstStep Child Care Learning Center, 206-460-8942; Jose Marti CDC at Beacon Pacific Village, 206-957-4612; Moyale Childcare, 206-302-9922; SonRise Childcare & Preschool, 206-778-5096; and The Little Dreamers, 206-474-9174.
- Seattle-adjacent providers: Al Fatha Childcare in SeaTac, 206-403-5853, and Minas Daycare in Skyway, 206-288-3929.
Seattle Preschool Program sites operated by SPS are scheduled to begin Sept. 8. If a strike continues through that date, those sites will have a delayed start. Preschool sites run by community organizations, including those at Seattle Parks and Recreation locations, are expected to open as scheduled.
Parents and guardians seeking food, child care or after-school programs can call 211 or text “211WAOD” to 898211. Washington 211 connects families with local resources, including food banks, meal programs and child care providers.
Seattle’s Human Services Department also maintains an online list of food resources, including food banks and free meal programs. Seattle Public Library branches may offer another free option for families needing access to books, computers and scheduled youth programs, but they are not child care.
SPS and SEA are scheduled to return to the bargaining table Tuesday morning with help from a mediator. The two sides are trying to reach an agreement before the first day of school for the district’s 50,000 students.
