Every year The Daily Herald takes nominations and lets readers vote for the Best of Snohomish County Awards. This year, 80,000 votes were cast. There are dozens of categories, but here are the 2023 top choices for best childcare:
First Place: Billie’s Busy Kids in Granite Falls and Marysville
Billie’s Busy Kids’ motto is “come see why we call it learning, and you call it fun!”
Nestled at the base of Mt. Pilchuck in Granite Falls, Billie’s Busy Kids’ flagship location has been in operation for 15 years. Founder Billie Quiring and her teaching teams provide care out of three locations to over 115 children ages three weeks to five-years-old.
Billie’s Busy Kids’ creates their environments and cirrculum based on several theory-based principals, incorporating the work of Maria Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Howard Gardner.
All of Billie’s programs are a play-based approach to learning with zero screen time. “With the help of assessment and observations, we create learning environments that meet the child at their skill level,” said Quiring. Teachers serve as facilitators within the environment while children mold the curriculum through exploration and interactions.
The childcare center assists families in creating goals for children aligned with Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines set forth by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If a child needs extra support preparing for kindergarten, Billie’s works alongside Birth to Three Early Intervention programs and local school districts.
“We pride ourselves on our family involvement and our belief is it truly does take a village to raise a family,” said Quiring. “These amazing educators wow me every day and this work would not happen without them!”
Second Place: Camp Fire Snohomish County in Everett
Third Place: SweatPea Academy in Arlington
Additional Nominations: Country Dawn in Lake Stevens, Sunnyside Preschool in Lake Stevens.
All of The Herald’s Best Of Snohomish County category winners can be found here.
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