How To Build an Early Learning Center

Supporting the Growth of Child Care Infrastructure in the Walla Walla Valley

Access to high-quality early learning and childcare is essential for families and communities to thrive. Yet, many providers face barriers when trying to expand or improve their facilities. Whether you're remodeling a family home, leasing a new building, or launching a major construction project, this toolkit was created for you.

This resource was developed through the Elevate Early Learning Facilities Work Group, a collaboration led by United Way of the Blue Mountains and supported by public and private partners throughout the Walla Walla Valley.  

This toolkit was funded by the Child Care Partnership Grant (CCPG) through the Washington State Department of Commerce.  

Special thanks to our Community Partners:  
Arrowleaf Consulting
Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition
ESD-123
Small Business Development Center
Early Learning Facilities Working Group Participants:  
Eiledon McClellan—Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition
Angel Camacho—Little Angel's Bio-Dome Daycare & Preschool
Lydia Caudill—City of Walla Walla
Matt Bona—ESD-123
Brent Cummings—Walla Walla Center for Children & Families
Karen Hedine—YMCA
Julia Leavitt—BMAC

We are also grateful to our CCPG Advisory Group for bringing provider voice into the project:  
Angel Camacho—Little Angel's Bio-Dome Daycare & Preschool
Tina Baumann—The Kids Place
Kari Ochoa—My Happy Place Learning LLC
Veronica Marin Lemus—Young Achievers Academy
Karlee Calvin—AKIN.

Acknowledgment of Staff & Strategic Leadership
Heather Lane is employed by United Way of the Blue Mountains, which serves as the backbone organization for Elevate, the region’s education collective impact initiative. In this role, she serves as Systems Strategist for Elevate.
We extend our sincere thanks to Heather for her thoughtful leadership, coordination, and dedication in guiding this work from vision to completion.