The Child Care Action Council of Thurston County

CCAC serves the Olympic Peninsula and South Sound to support child care providers and families of young children. We train and provide quality improvement guidance to child care providers. Children receive free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, attend Kaleidoscope play groups, learn to ride and scooter safely in our Safe Kids playground traffic gardens and attend ECEAP state-funded preschools. 

We play a critical role in supporting licensed child care providers across six counties—Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, and Thurston—through our administration of the Child Care Aware of Washington Early Achievers coaching program. By delivering on-site consultation and coaching, along with professional development and Infant-Toddler Mental Health Consultation, we ensure that child care providers can offer high-quality care to children. We uniquely address the diverse needs of child care providers while promoting best practices in early childhood education and mental health support.

CCAC’s Family Services programs ensure that children in Thurston and  Mason counties have access to opportunities that foster their growth and well-being. By focusing on underserved areas and filling gaps in existing services, we reach families who might otherwise go without essential resources. Our programs—including BLOCK Fest (building mathematical and spatial awareness), Kaleidoscope Play and Learn groups, Parents as Teachers (parent education and support), Safe Kids Thurston County (bike safety, car seat checks, safe sleep),  Margie’s Crisis Nursery (child care vouchers), and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (free books monthly)—are designed to empower caregivers and give every child the chance to thrive. Our extensive local collaborations maximize our impact and ensure that no family is left behind.

In addition, we operate ECEAP preschool centers in Thurston and Mason counties and provide a contract for three more centers. ECEAP is a free early learning program aimed at supporting child development and learning for families furthest from opportunity, including children from low-income families, those in foster care, or experiencing homelessness.