Moms, Kids and Legislators play jumbo version of ‘Chutes & Ladders’ in front of State Capitol Building

Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-32, and some friends playing Chutes and Ladders
on the Capital grounds in Olympia
The jumbo-sized game of Chutes and Ladders features statistics on the importance of
and need for quality, affordable early learning and child care

OLYMPIA –On Tuesday, March 6, at 12 p.m. by the Sundial across from the Capitol Legislative building, Rep. Ruth Kagi and Rep. Zack Hudgins joined local moms and kids from MomsRising to play an oversized version of the board game Chutes and Ladders. 

Why? To remind all legislators that kids need their support too and every move they make impacts their futures.

The board features statistics illustrating the importance of and need for quality, affordable early learning programs in Washington State. The Ladders in the game show statistics on how quality early learning and preschool help kids move forward in life with success. The Chutes demonstrate how children fall behind if they lack proper support before kindergarten.

Last year, Washington State received an incredible opportunity with a Race to The Top Challenge Grant to improve child care and fund early learning programs. This session, legislators will have the chance to continue the momentum that was laid out in the grant, and move our kids forward in life.

“While moms and kids have fun taking turns playing this familiar board game,” said Sarah Francis, campaign director at MomsRising, “it represents the serious roadblocks families face in reaching well-rounded, quality care for their kids. Our children and our communities will all be winners if legislators invest in early learning. We’re grateful that Representatives Kagi, Hudgins and Goodman are joining us with their support.”

In Washington there are over 100,000 low-income preschool age children (those at less than 200% of Federal Poverty Level), which is 40% of the total 3- and 4-year-olds in our state. Yet early learning programs Head Start and ECEAP combined serve fewer than 25,000 children per year. Key programs that will make a big difference for our littlest residents, like quality, affordable child care and quality education programs are vital to this state’s future.

MomsRising

MomsRising is an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all families in the United States. MomsRising is working for paid family leave, flexible work options, affordable child care, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes so many mothers. MomsRising also advocates for health care for all, toxic-free environments, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families. In 2011, Forbes.com named MomsRising’s web site as one of the ‘Top 100 Websites for Women’ for the second year in a row.