2023-2024 Seattle Preschool Program

Request for Qualifications

The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity closed on January 18, 2023.

Image of high-quality preschool classroom with multiple learning stations and educational toys

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is notifying organizations, early learning providers, and any other entities providing services described in this Request for Qualification (RFQ) of a funding opportunity through the City of Seattle 2018 Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy. The purpose of this Seattle Preschool Program RFQ is to solicit applications to identify qualified early learning providers in Seattle for the opportunity to join the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP), funded by the FEPP Levy.

The overarching goal of FEPP Levy investments in Early Learning is that Seattle students have access to and utilize high-quality early learning services that promote success in kindergarten.

Please note: Changes to the funding process and timeline may occur. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this web page for technical assistance information, updates, clarifications, or amendments.  

Who can apply and for how much money

DEEL has up to two million dollars available to contract for approximately six new SPP classrooms for the 2023-24 school year. These new classrooms will include a combination of classrooms identified through this RFQ, expansion of existing SPP providers, and direct contracting with eligible entities.

This RFQ is intended for center-based programs (including programs operating in Seattle Public Schools buildings) and new agencies not currently contracted with the Seattle Preschool Program. [Existing SPP providers will receive separate instructions for applying through a different process.] Family Child Care (FCC) programs interested in participating in SPP should contact one of SPP’s FCC Hub administrators (Child Care Resources or Tiny Tots Early Learning Collaborative).

Types of programs that can be funded

Early learning providers responding to this RFQ need to meet SPP programmatic and participation requirements as reflected below. DEEL has structures and resources in place to support providers to meet requirements, if necessary, including participation in the Pathway to SPP program. 

Program Requirements

Classroom size 20 or fewer children per classroom
Teacher to student ratio Maximum 1 teacher per 10 students (1:10)
Service hours 6 hours per day, 180 days per year
Curriculum

Creative Curriculum or HighScope

Waivers may be granted for other high-quality evidence-based curriculum for agencies with EA ratings of Level 4 or higher who have intensive plans for instructional support.

Child-Level Assessments

Teaching Strategies GOLD, ASQ:SE2, ASQ-3, Health Screenings

Classroom Teacher Requirements

Each classroom must at a minimum have 1 lead teacher and 1 assistant teacher, or a two co-lead teacher structure

Required Teacher Qualifications

Lead Teacher:*

Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Early Childhood Education or bachelor’s with 30 ECE credits

Assistant Teacher:*

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or other associate degree with 20 ECE credits

*Education degree and ECE credits in ECE must be verified as “approved” in MERIT. Teachers who do not meet these requirements will have up to four years to meet them. College tuition assistance may be available through DEEL.

Site Director

Must meet lead teacher qualifications.

Required Family Support Worker Qualifications (if funded through the SPP Contract)

Associate or higher degree with the equivalent of 30 college quarter credits in related (human services/social work) as “approved” in MERIT.

Family Support

SPP providers are required to provide direct support to the families served at the agency to improve child outcomes.

More information can be found in the RFQ Overview document provided below.

How applicants will be selected

There are two steps to becoming an SPP provider that are further outlined in the RFQ Overview document under the RFQ Roster Design section. 

  1. First, applicants must submit an RFQ application to demonstrate how they meet the qualifications for becoming an SPP provider.  Successful applicants will be placed on an SPP Roster to be considered for selection as a provider for the 2023-24 school year. If DEEL determines no provider fulfills criteria set out in this RFQ, DEEL may at any time cancel the RFQ without selecting any provider.
  2. Second, DEEL will select one or more providers from the SPP Roster according to the criteria outlined in the RFQ Roster Design section.

Contracting is expected to begin in July 2023 with preschool classes to start in September 2023.

There is no guarantee of work or funding associated with this RFQ opportunity.

Language Assistance

Language assistance is available for document translation or information session interpretation. 

To request an interpreter for this RFQ's upcoming information session, please submit your request by Friday, December 9, at 5:00 p.m. to DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

Hay asistencia disponible en varios idiomas.

¿Necesita un intérprete para recibir ayuda en su idioma? ¿Necesita documentos traducidos? Hay asistencia disponible en varios idiomas.

Para solicitar un intérprete para la próxima sesión informativa, envíe su solicitud antes de las 5:00 p. m. del viernes, 9 de diciembre a DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

የቋንቋ እርዳታ አለ።

ለቋንቋ እርዳታ አስተርጓሚ ይፈልጋሉ? ሰነዶች እንዲተረጐሙ ይፈልጋሉ? የቋንቋ እርዳታ አለ። 

ለሚመጣው የመረጃ ክፍለ ጊዜ አስተርጓሚ ለመጠየቅ፣ እባክዎን ጥያቄዎን እስከ አርብ፣ ታህሳስ 9፣ ከቀኑ 5፡00 (p.m.) ሰዓት ድረስ ያስገቡ። DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

提供语言协助。

您需要口译员提供语言協助吗? 您需要文件的翻譯吗? 提供语言协助 

如需在即将举行的信息发布会要求口译服務,请在 12 月 9 日星期五下午 5:00 之前提交您的請求。DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

Gargaarsi afaanii ni jira.

Gargaarsa afaaniitiif nama afaan hiiku si barbaachisa? Sanadoota akka hiikkaman isin barbaachisa? 

Yeroo odeeffannoo dhufuuf turjumaana gaafachuuf, maaloo gaaffii keessan hanga Jimaata, Muddee 9, sa’aatii 5:00 p.m. DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

Kaalmada luqadda waa laga heli karaa.

Ma u baahan tahay turjumaan caawimaad luqadeed? Ma u baahan tahay dukumeenti la turjumay? 

Si aad u codsato turjumaan kulanka macluumaadka ee soo socda, fadlan soo gudbi codsigaaga ugu danbayn Jimcaha, Diisambar 9, saacadu markay tahay 5:00 galabnimo. DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

Có sẵn hỗ trợ bằng ngôn ngữ.

Quý vị có cần thông dịch viên để được hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ không? Quý vị có cần dịch tài liệu không? 

Để yêu cầu thông dịch viên cho buổi thông tin sắp tới, vui lòng gửi yêu cầu của quý vị trước Thứ Sáu, ngày 9 tháng 12, lúc 5h chiều. DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.

 

Timeline

To be considered, eligible applicants are invited to submit RFQ applications by 5:00 pm Pacific Time on January 18, 2023

Event Date and Time*
Application Opens Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Information Session

Link to watch recorded video session will be posted in the section below following the meeting.

Thursday, December 15, 2022, 5:00 PM

Join Webex meeting

Meeting number: 2492 358 3198

Password: RFt3QP5Rpt8

Last Day to Submit Questions

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

5:00 PM

Application Deadline

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

5:00 PM

Application Review Period January 19 - March 7, 2023
Notifications Issued to Applicants March 2023

*Dates subject to change.

How to apply

1. Please click the link below to view the RFQ Overview document, which will guide you through the application process.  

RFQ Overview Access RFQ overview document in Word or PDF

2. The following form is required as part of your application for funding. Please be sure to complete the application form and email it with any other attachments requested in the RFQ Overview to DEELFunding@seattle.gov by January 18, 2023. Use the following naming convention in the subject line of your email: “[Organization Name] – SPP RFQ.”   

Application Submission Document Download application 

3. Use the following links to access additional information and resources that will assist in completing your application. 

Information Session Watch info session recording
Information Session Slides View info session slides PDF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) View FAQ document

Contract Insurance Requirements Transmittal Form

Part of DEEL Contracting Requirements, referenced on page 23 of RFQ Overview.

Access Contract Insurance Requirements Transmittal Form

How to submit questions 

To submit questions, please email DEELFunding@seattle.gov with "Question: SPP RFQ" in the subject line. Responses will be published and linked in the table above.

Education and Early Learning

Dwane Chappelle, Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 1700, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 94665, Seattle, WA, 98124-6965
Phone: (206) 233-5118
Phone Alt: Childcare and Preschool: (206) 386-1050
Fax: (206) 386-1900
education@seattle.gov

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