Kids And Parenting

Government

King County says its contractor failed to pay $1.1 million to child care providers in subsidy program

Fawsia Diriye, a child care provider in Kent, has been waiting on $1,400 from King County to cover some of her clients’ monthly bills. The payments are part of the Best Starts for Kids levy that King County voters approved in 2021. Diriye is among 330 childcare providers the county said were missing payments for the children they serve.

Education

Seattle child care teacher secretly dosed toddlers with melatonin, state finds

A longtime teacher at a Seattle child care center secretly gave 1-year-olds melatonin to sedate them, according to findings by the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Crime

'Astonishing' increase in car theft charges as juvenile criminal cases surge in King County

Car theft charges brought against youth were up by more than 500% in King County last year. That’s just one of the charges driving a 61% increase in juvenile criminal bookings in 2023, including violent crime, gun possession and burglary.

Arts & Life

Kids playground canceled at Denny Blaine Park 'nude beach'

The effort to preserve Seattle's nude-friendly beach has succeeded.

Environment

Are kids in danger when wildfire smoke hits, even on 'moderate' days?

The Puget Sound area has seen good, moderate, and dangerous air quality in the last few weeks due to wildfire smoke. Last weekend was especially bad, but many people hit the streets and parks anyway.

Education

Don't forget to enroll your kid in kindergarten like I did