Position: Director of Early Learning
Location: Olympia, Washington
Organization: Child Care Aware of Washington
Sandra Maldonado is a first-generation Mexican American raised in Los Angeles, California and currently residing in Lacey, Washington (on the ancestral lands of the Nisqually people who continue to steward the land). Her background and lived experience as a bilingual, bicultural woman of color humbled her and nurtured her passion and skill in developing relationships with diverse individuals and families to create collaborative and inclusive partnerships. She is dedicated to supporting children, families and the early learning workforce. Her drive is rooted in her passion to advance an anti-racist policy, practice and support for communities.
Maldonado’s 23-year career in the field of early care and education includes many roles, beginning as a parent volunteer in a military child development center, caring for and teaching infants, preschool, school age children and providing coaching and consultation for QRIS systems. Leadership roles include Center Director, Early Head Start Director and currently her position of Early Learning Director for CCA of Washington’s QRIS TA/Coach and Professional Development system. All her previous positions inform her contributions to the ongoing development of Washington’s QRIS initiative. She is particularly interested in supporting leadership development of the early learning workforce across multiple systems and settings.
She is a first-generation college graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Management and later obtaining a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College.
Q: Was there a moment or event that inspired you to enter the early childhood education profession?
A: I was moved by my son’s infant care-teacher at Ft. Hood, TX. We were a young military family away from our families for the first time. It was quite the transition from being raised in a multi-generational home. I aspired to continue my college education and located a child care solution for my son. However, after a dangerous child care situation left me frightened for my baby’s well-being, I decided to pause my education and stay at home with my son. Eventually, I found the Ft. Hood Child Development Center and decided to enroll him there. Like many other families, drop-off was extremely heart-wrenching. My son’s new teacher would offer words of encouragement, reassure me that he was fine, and invited me to volunteer. When I began to volunteer and engage in parent observations, I realized that there was lots of learning happening while a warm relationship was being built with the babies and their families. I soon felt the trust in the care-teachers and the program. It had a strong impact, so much so that I changed my major from TV & Radio Broadcasting to Early Childhood Education!
Q: When did you first learn about / become involved with CCAoA?
A: I first heard of CCAoA in 2011 when I began working for a child care resource and referral agency outside of Ft. Knox, KY. The following year there were changes and our organization became a partner of Child Care Aware of Kentucky. I began to learn about the breadth of CCR&R supports. My heart was touched by the attention and support to military families. On our next duty station to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in WA I began to search for work with the Child Care Aware of Washington system as it closely aligned with my own values for supporting families and children.
Q: What aspect(s) of early care and education are you most passionate about?
A: Brain research has revealed the importance of quality early childhood and learning experiences. This drives my dedication to supporting children, families, and the early learning workforce. My focus is on access to quality early learning experiences and family supports. This is rooted in my passion to advance anti-racist policy and practice that will in turn help communities feel supported.
Q: From your perspective, what is the single most important step we can take to build a better child care system?
A: We need to revisit policies that continue to perpetuate inequalities to young children and their families.
