Who We Are - Cultivate Learning

150 Cultivate Learning staff members in a group photo together

Where quality goes, minds grow

Every child deserves to flourish from a foundation of quality learning. At Cultivate Learning we advance the fields of early childhood education and expanded learning opportunities through expertise and resources that bridge theory and practice.

Where quality goes, minds grow

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A Brief History

Founded at the University of Washington College of Education by Gail Joseph, Bezos Family Foundation Distinguished Professor in Early Learning, Cultivate Learning started as a single program of three staff in a small office, with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Over the years, we have partnered with the Office of Head Start, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Aware of Washington, and many others who believe deeply in our commitment to equity and access to quality early learning and expanded learning opportunities. We leverage our expertise in community-based research and practice to develop innovative state and national technical training, tools and implementation strategies for quality recognition systems, and higher education initiatives that create equitable pathways to the profession.

Our Values

At Cultivate Learning:
We are champions of service and align with partners and initiatives that foster positive outcomes for children, families, and educators. We commit to equity by working to remove systemic oppression and institutional racism, so each community member can reach their full potential. We build environments of belonging and diversity where we communicate openly, support each other, and value the contributions of all identities. We practice innovation and quality by actively seeking creative ideas from multiple perspectives to evolve and inform the resources we develop.

Three children who are best friends, hugging and looking at camera

Our Initiatives

Cultivate Learning is committed to supporting the early childhood education (ECE) and expanded learning opportunity (ELO) workforce. Community engaged research and evaluation informs all of the work that we do. Data, and multiple forms of evaluation including community input guides all of the resources and products we create on behalf of the ECE and ELO workforce. We participate as quality recognition specialists to assess and support the improvement of quality in learning environments and work with like-minded evaluation partners on local and national projects aimed at informing policy and systems at state and national levels.

Our professional learning initiatives impact learning environments quickly and effectively through a wealth of research-backed expertise, tools, resources, and institutes. Our digital solution platforms keep educators connected to peers and coaches in meaningful ways to support direct application of concepts in the learning environment. We work with coaches who directly support educators through training, consultation and higher education opportunities using a tested and evidence based coaching model.

The EarlyEdU Alliance® brings together higher education faculty and policymakers to create accessible and equitable pathways for early learning educators to complete higher education goals from initial certification to advanced degrees. With partners, we commit to reducing barriers for the ECE professional workforce by developing and sharing professional development experiences that are meaningful for working professionals.

Friends and Partners

The work of Cultivate Learning is fueled by the dedicated support of our funding and partner agencies in Washington State and across the nation. Thank you for standing with us to improve access to quality learning environments for all children.