Washington state’s quality child care rating pilot program bucked the budget trend again this week.

The Department of Early Learning announced Wednesday it plans to expand the project statewide - five counties currently use the Quality Rating and Improvement System - though it will take a little while. Thrive by Five Washington and the department have been testing the voluntary rating system, essentially a scorecard that rates child care facilities from 1 to 5 in key categories and provides support, in those counties.

But, funding has been in jeopardy at times during the last couple of years, as policymakers struggled to cut spending and close the multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. Roughly two years ago, Gov. Christine Gregoire proposed suspending work on the rating system, but the legislature eventually found $1 million for the system.

Then in the fall of 2009, Thrive and DEL actually expanded the program by adding Clark, Kitsap and Spokane counties. The ratings project had been in White Center and East Yakima.

Now, the Department of Early Learning plans to expand the program, officially known as Seeds to Success, around the state, though it sounds like it could be in stages.

DEL is committed to expanding Seeds statewide. After June 30, we will have the final data to refine the quality standards and begin building the technology, policies and systemwide training necessary to expand to more communities. This work will take time, and DEL does not anticipate inviting new child care centers and family homes to participate until next year. – Department of Early Learning. 4/20/11.

Meanwhile, those who were testing and using the quality rating and improvement system can continue to receive support.

The move is another step forward for early learning at a time when federal and state spending is being cut, and sometimes slashed.