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Washington’s free preschool program for low-income kids is shrinking.

Amid a budget shortfall, state legislators cut about $60 million from the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, which provides early learning and family support services to kids ages 3 to 5. All but 16 of the state’s 62 ECEAP contractors saw reductions in their funded slots for eligible children this year.

ECEAP is modeled on Head Start, the 60-year-old federal early learning program. It is free and pri

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