Waitlists, high prices and age restrictions. A guide to finding child care in Bellingham

The need for more child care is in the news, but it’s not new to many Whatcom parents who struggle to find affordable care and must juggle costs, applications and waitlists.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a former preschool teacher, led a rally Tuesday, Feb. 7, in Washington, D.C., to underscore the need for more child care.

Locally, a report from Whatcom’s Children’s Initiative Committee to the Whatcom County Council underscores the need. It said about two-thirds of Whatcom County families lack access to child care, keeping parents and caregivers out of the workforce, according to earlier reporting in The Bellingham Herald.

The Bellingham Herald looked at local options to give parents what they need to know about finding child care in Whatcom County.

The Opportunity Council also provides referrals to licensed child care facilities, as well as child care information for families in Whatcom County. For referrals, the council can be contacted online or by calling 1-800-446-1114.

Whatcom caregivers

The Herald looked at care.com to find local caregivers in the 98226 ZIP code area. According to the caregiver website, the average pay for local caregivers ranges from $20-$25 per hour. Families looking for a caregiver can enter their desired day care hours and budget, as well as enter preferred qualifications and specific needs the caregiver must fulfill.

Bellingham day cares

Day cares typically provide all-day care but may have long waitlists. Here are a few local options for day care:

Blossom Childcare and Learning Center

Blossom Childcare and Learning Center in Bellingham has programs for early toddlers, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten preparation, ranging in care for children 11 months to 5 years old. Care is provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and ranges from $1,223 to $1,344 per week. The center’s waitlist is currently closed until fall 2023, and there is a waitlist application fee of $50 per child. The childcare center is at 2945 Douglas Ave. and can be contacted at office@blossomchildcare.com or 360-752-2699.

YMCA Early Learning

Local YMCA centers in Bellingham have early learning child care programs for children ages 1 month to 5 years old. Child care ranges from two to five days a week, and pricing varies based on the number of days per week and the age of the children. Five-day child care ranges from $1,125 to $1,693 per month. There is a $75 registration fee and service fees that vary by learning center.

The YMCA has three early learning child care centers in Bellingham, the Barkley Early Learning Center, the Downtown Early Learning Center and Heart House Early Learning Center. The Barkley center is at 2415 Rimland Drive and has an online waitlist, but can also be contacted at 360-714-0450 or lstacy@whatcomymca.org for availability. The downtown center is at 1256 N. State St. and also has a waitlist, and can be contacted at 360-255-0578 or jdesmul@whatcomymca.org. The Heart House learning center does not have an online waitlist and is at 1705 Gladstone St., No. 102, and can be contacted at 360-255-7242 agranberg@whatcomymca.org.

Bellingham preschools

Unlike most day care centers, most preschools do not provide care for children under 3 years old and do not provide all-day care. Here are a few local options for preschool in Bellingham:

Children’s Co-op Preschool

The Children’s Co-op Preschool in Bellingham is opening registration for its 2023 academic year on March 1 for ages 2.5 to 5 years old. Classes that meet from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday cost $370 per month, or $3,700 for the academic year. Classes that meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday cost $230 per month, or $2,300 for the academic year. There is a nonrefundable $200 registration and supply fee for applicants. The preschool is at 1409 18th St. and can be contacted at bhamchildrenscooppreschool@gmail.com.

Lakeside Cooperative Preschool

Lakeside Cooperative Preschool in Bellingham provides education programs for children 3 to 5 years old from September through May. Registration is currently open for the 2023-2024 academic year, and the preschool has three class options. The two-day preschool program for 3-year-olds runs from 8:15-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and costs $210 per month or $1,890 for the academic year. The three-day preschool and prekindergarten class runs from 8:15-11 a.m. for ages 3 to 5 and costs $280 per month or $2,520 for the academic year. For older children ages 4 and 5, the four-day prekindergarten class runs from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and costs $380 per month or $3,420 for the academic year. The preschool is at 4101 Academy St. and can be contacted at 360-647-7578.

Bayside Co-op Preschool

Bayside Co-op Preschool in Fairhaven offers toddler and preschool programs for children ages 2 to 5 years old. Enrollment for new students for the 2023-24 academic year opens Feb. 25, and there are two class options. For 2- and 3-year-olds, classes meet from 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and cost $200 per month or $1,800 for the academic year. For 3- to 5-year-olds, classes meet from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday and cost $300 per month or $2,700 for the academic year. There is a $60 nonrefundable registration fee and a $150 nonrefundable supply fee. The preschool is inside St. James Presbyterian Church at 910 14th St., and can be contacted at 360-329-2818 or info@baysidecoop.com.

Whatcom Hills Waldorf School

Whatcom Hills Waldorf School offers classes for preschool through middle school, with special preschool and kindergarten classes for children ages 2 to 5 years old. The three preschool classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday for 2- and 3-year-olds. The kindergarten class for 4- and 5-year-olds runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The school does have additional child care available before and after school hours for children in kindergarten. Preschool classes range from $7,800 to $11,200 per year, depending on the class and amount of classes per week. Kindergarten classes range from $8,450 to $11,700 annually, depending on the number of classes per week. All students must also pay a $400 supply fee. The school is at 941 Austin St. in Bellingham and can be contacted at 360-733-3164.

Gardenview Montessori

Gardenview Montessori offers classes for children ages 18 months to 6 years old. The school’s “sprouts” class is for children between 18 months and 3 years old and runs from 8:45-11:45 a.m. with three-, four- or five-day classes available. The “beans” class is for children 3-6 years old and runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon with three-, four- or five-day classes available. The school also offers a “beans” extended day program from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost for each class depends on the number of classes each week. Sprout classes range from $4,800-$6,500 per school year, and beans classes range from $4,800-$10,000 per school year. There is a non-refundable $100 application fee. Wait list rules are outlined on its website. The school is at 2117 Walnut St. in Bellingham and can be contacted by emailing director@gardenviewmontessori.org or calling 360-527-9638.

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