The Bellingham Plan: Local Childcare Support and Initiatives

This page provides additional information related to topics covered by the Bellingham Plan. 
If you’re in search of childcare, visit Child Care Resources – Opportunity Council for more information.

Childcare is essential. The Bellingham Plan contains policies to encourage more childcare throughout Bellingham. The Comprehensive Plan recognizes that childcare needs to be affordable and available to help achieve greater community wellbeing and economic development.

Supporting access to affordable childcare increases labor force participation and regional economic growth. Lack of available, affordable care limits household economic advancement and employers’ ability to fill and retain jobs.

Assisted with the purchase and interior finishing of childcare facilities and overall stabilization and support of the early learning industry. Facilities supported were developed in conjunction with affordable rental housing projects.
- As of December, 2025, 4 new facilities are operational and 2 nearly complete (these include YMCA at Heart House, YMCA at Trailview, YMCA at Millworks, Opportunity Council ECEAP at Laurel-Forest, Samish Commons, and Bellis).
- Stabilization support was primarily channeled through the Center for Retention and Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC) in partnership with Whatcom County and assisted over three dozen early learning and care providers.
- Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Coronavirus response funding (CARES Act), and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were used to support these efforts.
Provided limited subsidies to local childcare providers for operational costs and for low-income families needing assistance to secure childcare services.
- Subsidies were provided both directly and through the Center for Retention and Expansion of Childcare housing at Opportunity Council.
- CARES Act and ARPA funds were used to support these efforts.
Offers a pilot program using CDBG funds to assist low-income homeowners in retrofitting their homes to provide adult family home or childcare services. CDBG Community Facilities funding through the City may also be used to support the development or improvement of nonprofit early learning and childcare facilities.

Child Care Aware Northwest Washington (C-RECC NW)
- Through a partnership between the Opportunity Council and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, C-RECC NW provides licensed childcare providers with coaching, technical assistance, funding access, consultation services, and professional development opportunities.
- Provides clients with information and referrals to licensed childcare facilities;
- For more information visit: C-RECC – Child Care Aware NW Washington
Whatcom Community College
- Provides programs for Washington State childcare and early childhood education professional certifications.
- For more information visit: Parenting Education Program | Whatcom Community College
Whatcom County Collaboration
- Coordinates efforts to expand and support early learning and stability for families with young children, including through their new Healthy Children’s Fund levy.
- For more information visit: Healthy Children’s Fund | Whatcom County, WA – Official Website
State Support
- The Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families helps eligible families pay for child care. For more information visit: Working Connections Child Care | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- The Early Learning Facilities program (ELF) provides funding for organizations to expand, remodel, purchase or construct early learning facilities for children from low-income households. For more information visit: www.commerce.wa.gov/capital-facilities/elf

City of Bellingham Support and Initiatives

Community Support and Inititatives