Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, received the “Crayon Award” from the Early Learning Action Alliance during the Fall Family Child Care Conference last Saturday at Green River College.

Fain was recognized for his work to expand access to and improve the quality of early learning in Washington state after co-sponsoring the Early Start Act in 2015 and championing opportunities for the state’s youngest learners.

“Preparing students to be successful in work and life starts before they ever enter our public school system,” said Fain, who serves on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. “All children should have the opportunity to begin school ready to learn, and a high quality early learning program makes that possible.”

The Early Learning Action Alliance is a coalition of organizations that represent an array of Washington nonprofits, professional associations, and businesses. The coalition is united by the belief that “all children in Washington State deserve to have the opportunities and support they need in their first five years of life to be prepared for school and a bright future.”

“Sen. Fain was awarded the Crayon Award for his support of the Early Start Act and including early learning as part of his overall advocacy for kids,” said Allison Krutsinger, advocacy manager for Child Care Resources, who co-presented the award to Fain. “We thank Sen. Fain for his leadership to make high-quality early learning opportunities available to all kids.”

The coalition presents awards to legislative champions to highlight the importance of state leadership on early learning and child care issues. The past two years have seen the Legislature make historic gains for children and families.

The Early Start Act gives more young children the opportunity to access effective and high quality programs that have made Washington state a nationally recognized leader in early learning. Program and policy reforms are guided by the positive long-term impact quality early learning has on a child’s school readiness, overall health and life.

The state budget invests an additional $159 million in early learning and care — the largest increase in state history — which includes an additional 1,600 slots in the state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program and funding to implement the Early Start Act.