Child Studies

Enhance your child care skills and create connections with other parents and caregivers!

Our robust Child Studies department educates parents, child care employees and caregivers on early childhood topics that enhances your skills. We offer parenting seminars and classes for parents, a child care advisory program, a resource center, State Training and Registry System (STARS) courses, and more.

Important update – February 2026:

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges approved a new statewide funding allocation model that takes effect July 1, 2026. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollments generated through co-op and childcare center programs will no longer qualify for state funding. As a result, Bates Technical College will discontinue its collaborative programming with affiliated co-ops and childcare centers effective July 1, 2026.

We are deeply grateful for the decades of partnership, the dedicated faculty who supported parent education, and the families who have been part of this meaningful program. Bates will work closely with each partner site in the coming months to support a smooth transition and answer any questions.

Participate in your child’s early education! Enroll in a parent-participation preschool program where you will learn the latest developmentally appropriate early childhood education and guidance techniques. Children participate in activities that include science, math, music, reading, art and more.

Bates Technical College-affiliated Cooperative Preschools

Benson Hill Co-op Preschool, 253-234-7704                              

  • 11717 S.E. 240th St. 4910, Kent, WA 98031

www.bensonhillcoop.org

Bethel Co-op Preschool, 253-531-7676

  • 12305 Spanaway Loop Rd. S, Tacoma, WA 98444

www.bethelcooppreschool.org

Burien Co-op Preschool, 206-241-6714

  • 19834 8th Ave., Des Moines, WA 98148

www.burienco-op.org

300 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98506
Location Lacey
Covington Co-op Preschool, 253.259.7659
19320  SE 240th St, Unit B, Covington, WA 98042
Eastside Co-op Preschool, 509.255.3654
1775 Yew Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98506
ecpmembershipchair@gmail.com

Federal Way Co-op Preschool, 253-486-7949

  • 29645 51st Ave. South, Auburn, WA 98001

www.federalwaypreschool.com

Fort Steilacoom Parent Education Cooperative
Bates Technical College South Campus
2201 So. 78th St. Tacoma , WA 98409

Gig Harbor Co-op Preschool, 253-858-6911

  • Masonic Temple: 3025 96th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

www.ghcp.org

Jack & Jill Co-op Preschool, 253-756-0637

  • 2507 N Vassault St., Tacoma, WA 98406

www.jacknjill.org

Mountain View Co-op Preschool, 253-896-3661

  • 2003 Taylor St., Milton, WA  98354

https://mtviewcoop.com/

Narrows Co-op Preschool, 253-256-2150

  • 3912 Grandview Dr. W, University Place, WA   98466

www.narrowsco-op.org 

North Tacoma Co-op Preschool, 253-370-1858

  • 2708 N. Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98407

http://tacomapreschool.org/ 

Northpoint Co-op Preschool, 253-952-9285

  • 6546 Dash Pt Blvd NE, Tacoma, WA 98422
  • Location: Northeast Tacoma

www.northpointcoop.org

Old Town Co-op Preschool, 253-620-4620

  • 2710 N Madison St., Tacoma, WA 98407
  • Location: Proctor district

www.oldtownpreschool.org

Puyallup So Co-op Preschool 253-620-4581

  • 3318 182nd St East, Tacoma, WA 98446
  • Location: Puyallup South Hill/Spanaway

https://www.puyallupsouthcoop.com/home

Steilacoom Co-op Preschool 253-905-6009

  • 10630 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA   98499

www.steilacoomcooperativepreschool.com

Sumner Co-op Preschool 253-862-7124

  • Christ the King Lutheran Church
  • 245 Valley Ave., Sumner, WA 98390

www.sumnerco-oppreschool.org

Wapato Japanese Co-op Preschool, 253-882-9234

  • 8601 104th St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98488
  • Location: South Tacoma

www.kogumapreschool.org

Westside Co-op Preschool, 360.866.7383
202 Delphi Road SW
Olympia, WA 98502

This list was last updated on August 2025.

For child care centers

Improve the quality of care and level of professionalism at your child care center. Our highly-skilled and educated faculty offer technical training and resources to early childhood education professionals.

Bates Childcare Affiliations 2023

 

Alphabet A, 253-473-0420

2305 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409

www.alphabet-preschool.com

 

Alphabet C, 253-474-1372

5419 South Puget Sound, Tacoma WA 98408

www.alphabet-preschool.com

 

Alphabet E, 253-472-6068

7607 Lakewood Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

www.alphabet-preschool.com

 

Alphabet G, 253-445-0500

1822 East Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98372

www.alphabet-preschool.com

 

Chico Christian Childcare, 360-377-0978

3670 Chico Way NW, Bremerton WA 98312

www.chicocma.com/childcare

 

Cottesmore Childcare Center-Gig Harbor, 253-858-1654

3909 Grandview St., Gig Harbor, WA. 98335

 

Grandview Early Learning Childcare, 253-680-5516

3580 E. Grandview, Tacoma, WA 98404

www.puyallup-tribe.com/gelc/

 

Love & Kindness, 253-472-4332

4813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98408

 

New Adventures, 253-403-9265

1310 S. 4th St., Tacoma, WA 98405

909 S. 5th St., Tacoma, WA 98405

https://www.multicare.org/location/new-adventures-childrens-center-main-bldg-and-billing-office/

 

Our Place to Grow-Lacey, 360-915-9704

845 Marvin Rd. SE, Lacey, WA 98503

 

Our Place to Grow Spanaway, 253-212-3936

14519 Spanaway Loop Road S., Spanaway, WA 98387

 

Our Place to Grow Yelm, 360-458-6300

15152 Berry Valley Rd. SE., Yelm, WA 98597

 

Puyallup Play Center, 253-848-4232

120 McElroy Pl. Puyallup, WA 98371

www.puyallupplaycarecenter.org

Our Place to Grow-Hawks-Prairie, 360-810-2143
7447 Hawks Prairie Rd. NE
Lacey, WA 98516

*Mailing Address:
1401 Marvin Rd. NE, Ste. 307-254
Lacey, WA 98516

Tacoma Day,253-627-5671
1113 South I St., Tacoma, WA 98405
www.tacomaday.org

Wee Care Early Learning Center, 360-876-5595
1780 SE Lincoln Ave., Port Orchard, WA 98366

Updated February 2024

A place for teachers and families to grow ideas. Visit the Resource Center (for adults only) for make-and-take projects, demonstrations, and resources. The center is limited to adults only because of the nature of the activities.

View the Resource Center flyer for open days.

Hours
Tuesday*3:30-7 p.m.
Thursday11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Friday9-11 a.m.
Saturday9 a.m.-3 p.m.

*Please contact your Bates Tech instructor for reservations on Tuesdays. 

Resource Center Costs
One-time visit$5
Quarterly individual membership$35
One-time group visit$75
Quarterly group visit$125

Contact Us

253.680.7500

Looking for the Early Learning Center? Visit this page.