Early Learning Center

Return applications to any of the locations listed below, either in person or via email. Please contact any location if you have questions or need additional assistance.

Bates Tech’s Early Learning Center is available to students, employees and community children. The Early Learning Center has locations at Downtown Campus and South Campus with three off-campus locations, in Eastside Tacoma, Fife/Milton, and Puyallup:

The center follows the college calendar for open days.

ECEAP – (pronounced E-Cap) Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program is a FREE early learning childcare or preschool program for qualifying children ages 3-5 years.

School Day	5.5-6.5 hours per day, 5 days a week during the school year.
Working Day	10 hours a day, year-round, combining childcare and ECEAP. Parents must meet work or training requirements.

Early Head Start – Early Head Start (EHS) programs support pregnant women and children under the age of 3. EHS is a low-cost program for families that qualify for the DSHS Working Connections Childcare subsidy.

Head Start – Head Start services are available at no cost to children ages birth to 5 in eligible families. Head Start preschool services work with children ages 3 to 5 and their families.

We also offer fee-based child care on a sliding-scale basis for those who do not qualify for Early Head Start or ECEAP. Child care scholarships are available for students who qualify through the Bates Technical College Foundation.

We offer:

• Quality learning opportunities

• Quality care for children

• Child education and family support services

• Social/emotional support for children and health services

• Education, employment support and job skills training

• Nurturing supportive relationships

• Supportive staff and family engagement

• Nutritious meals

To get started, complete the Early Learning Application and return to the Family Support Specialist using the emails below at the site of your choice.

Tacoma, Bates Technical College (Downtown Campus)

Early Head Start, ECEAP and Child Care only
1101 S. Yakima Ave.
253.680.7321, Mjoynershanburn@batestech.edu, Mackenzie.scartozzi@batestech.edu

Tacoma, Bates Technical College (South Campus)

ECEAP only
2201 S. 78th St., Portable G
253.680.7547, dbeltran@batestech.edu

Tacoma, Eastside

ECEAP
4818 E. Portland Ave
253.212.9258, Mahealani.palepale@batestech.edu

Fife/Milton

ECEAP only
2003 Taylor St.
253.926.2423, Noelle.Wilkins@batestech.edu

Puyallup

ECEAP only
412 W. Pioneer Ave.
253.840.3257, Arolongarcia@batestech.edu

Additionally, several ECEAP and child care centers are located near the college. Please reach out to ECEAP Family Support Specialist at 253.680.7321 for more information, or Contact the Child Care Resource and Referral Network at 1.800.446.1114, for information on community agencies that serve infants, toddlers, and school-aged children.

For information about parenting classes or other resources available, please visit the Child Studies department.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.This institution is an equal opportunity provider.