Our mission is to provide an inclusive environment in which all families receive individualized programs of education, advocacy, therapy and family support that nurture the development of children with and without disabilities.
2919 1st Avenue West Seattle, WA 98119
206-286-2322
Welcome to Northwest Center’s Child Development Program!We serve children with and without developmental disabilities from 6 weeks to 12 years of age in our inclusive programs:
We believe that all children are entitled to high quality childcare in a nurturing environment. We believe play, independent thinking, problem solving and self-initiated experiences are keys to healthy development. We honor diversity of all kinds—including the abilities, races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, marital status or ages of kids and their families. We strive to be culturally sensitive to all families, respecting their values and sharing the diverse population we serve.
When you’re a childcare provider and you realize the first infants you served are now grown adults, you start reflecting on your experiences. That’s why we recently checked in with Donna Starkey about her 21 years at Northwest Center’s children’s program....
Q: How did you get into the childcare field?
A: I have five kids of my own, and when my youngest was eight years old, I started looking for a job outside the home. I had no idea what I wanted to do—just that I had five kids to support. I went to Childhaven and worked in their first infant room; I loved working with children and helping parents. And I couldn’t believe I could actually earn money doing something I loved to do! After 10 years, I moved to a position at Northwest Center and I found home.
Q: Why have you stayed at Northwest Center?
A: The mission here. When I started, I hadn’t had any contact with kids who have special needs. So I asked my co-teacher what to do with special needs kids when it comes to things like art projects, and she told me, ‘They’re just kids.’ I took it from there and always tried to see how far we could go with the potential of the kids. It’s all about inclusion and getting to them when they’re young. Helping kids with special needs get to their full potential, as well as typically developing kids. That’s the whole model.
Q: Can you recall a particularly exciting moment?
A: The amazing thing is seeing a child who has worked hard experience a great triumph. A few years ago, there was a little girl in my classroom who needed extra help learning to sit up and crawl. Now she’s a preschooler—and every time I see her walking up and down the halls, I get goose bumps.
Q: What else do you enjoy?
A: I enjoy all the kids, and the parents are also great. They’re wonderful and supportive. They realize it’s not just fun and games; we don’t just play all day long. This is an important part of the kids’ lives. Every day, the parents come in thankful and grateful, and they teach their kids to be appreciative, too.
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The Child Development Program is a division of Northwest Center.
