Privacy Policy

Effective Date: December 4, 2025

 

The Washington Childcare Centers Association (WCCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting licensed childcare centers and owners throughout Washington State. This Privacy Policy describes how WCCA collects, uses, and protects the personal information collected through our website, wachild.org.

 

By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

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1. Information We Collect

WCCA collects various types of information for different purposes to provide and improve our services to our members and website visitors.

A. Personal Information

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you apply for membership, register for an event, sign up for a newsletter, or contact us directly. This information may include, but is not limited to:

 

• Identifiers: Name, organization name, job title.

• Contact Information: Mailing address, email address, phone number.

• Membership-Related Data: Information about the childcare center (e.g., license number, capacity, location, ownership details) necessary for membership application and verification.

• Payment Information: If applicable, payment details processed by a third-party processor (WCCA does not store full credit card numbers).

 

B. Non-Personal Information

We may also collect non-personal information automatically when you visit our website. This includes:

 

• Log Data: Information that your browser sends whenever you visit our website (e.g., IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time and date of visit).

• Usage Data: Information about how you use the site, such as clicking patterns and interaction with content.

• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies (like web beacons and pixels) to track activity on our service and hold certain information to improve your experience and analyze usage.

 

2. How We Use Your Information

WCCA uses the collected data for various purposes, primarily related to our mission:

 

• To Process Membership: To evaluate and process membership applications, maintain member accounts, and provide member benefits (e.g., access to exclusive content, advocacy updates).

• To Communicate: To send you updates, newsletters, advocacy alerts, event invitations, and other information related to WCCA activities and the Washington childcare industry.

• To Improve Services: To analyze website usage and trends, allowing us to improve our website content, functionality, and services.

• For Internal Operations: To manage our non-profit operations, including accounting, record-keeping, and legal compliance.

• For Advocacy and Support: To better understand the needs of Washington childcare centers to inform our advocacy efforts and resource development.

• To Post Directories (Members Only): With explicit consent during the application process, basic contact information of member centers may be included in a members-only directory or a public directory to promote their services.

 

3. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

WCCA does not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

 

• With Service Providers: We may share data with third-party vendors and service providers who perform functions on our behalf (e.g., website hosting, payment processing, email delivery, data analysis). These parties are bound by confidentiality obligations and are only permitted to use the information necessary to perform their services.

• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) comply with a legal obligation; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of WCCA; (c) prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the service; or (d) protect the personal safety of users of the service or the public.

• With Your Consent: We may share your information with any other party if we have your explicit consent to do so.

 

4. Security of Data

The security of your data is important to us. We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the personal information we collect from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

 

5. Your Rights and Choices (Opt-Out)

• Access and Update: You may access, review, and update your membership information by logging into your member account or contacting us directly.

• Opt-Out of Communications: You may opt-out of receiving future promotional and informational emails from WCCA by following the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email we send. Please note that you cannot opt-out of essential transactional or membership-related emails.

• Cookie Preferences: Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. If you choose to refuse cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our website.

 

6. Links to Other Sites

Our website may contain links to other sites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. WCCA has no control over and assumes no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

 

7. Children's Privacy

Our services are directed toward adults operating licensed childcare centers. Our website does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 18. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with Personal Data, please contact us.

 

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

 

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Washington Childcare Centers Association (WCCA)
Email: WCCA@wachild.com