Is your childcare license at risk of suspension or revocation?

The Washington Department of Early Learning (“DEL”) is responsible for establishing and enforcing licensing standards for childcare agencies in Washington.  The rules that DEL sets out for childcare licensing are called the Washington Administrative Code or WACs.    As part of DEL’s authority, DEL performs monitoring visits on the facilities that it licenses to ensure that they continue to meet the licensing standards under the WACs.  These monitoring visits may result in compliance citations that the childcare facilities must remedy by a certain date.  If the compliance citations are severe enough or the facility fails to remedy the citations, the DEL has the authority to suspend or revoke the facility’s childcare license.  The license holder has the option to appeal any such formal DEL action by requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”).  If the license holder requests a hearing, the suspension or revocation will not be effective until a decision affirming the DEL action is made by the ALJ.  A licensor is permitted to submit briefing for, and make oral arguments, at the hearing.Suspension or revocation of a childcare license will have serious ramifications for the license holder.  If you receive a notice of suspension or revocation of your childcare license, you should contact an attorney who has experience defending such suits as soon as possible.  The attorneys at the Rosenberg Law Group are happy to give a free 30 minute legal consultation about your rights and options.  We can advise you as to how your case may fare at hearing, and we can help you prepare the strongest defense.  Call or write before it is too late!