Machinist Institute unveils Little Wings Early Learning Academy to serve shift workers in Everett

Shauna Pesek, executive director of the Machinist Institute, told the Everett City Council June 25 the nonprofit has launched Little Wings Early Learning Academy, a childcare center aimed at providing nonstandard-hour care for shift workers and creating apprenticeship pathways for early childhood teachers.

Pesek said the center will serve the broader community and not only union members or students in the institute’s training programs. She described the project as a response to employers in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and health care who report workers leave when they cannot find childcare for evening, overnight or other nonstandard shifts.

"We have a large training center footprint in the area now," Pesek said, describing the Machinist Institute’s partnership with the International Association of Machinists Local 751 and a new union hall and training center. She said the Little Wings center will be licensed for 168 and that the full facility footprint when complete will be able to serve nearly 500 children across phased shifts. "We are getting licensed for 24 7; that includes overnight care," Pesek said.

Pesek told council the project will include nature-based programming and apprenticeship training for the childcare workforce so staff can earn credentials while receiving above-market wages and benefits. She said the nonprofit had secured a mix of public and legislative funds, some federal funds, and ongoing fundraising to reduce overhead so more funding goes to staff wages.

Councilmembers praised the plan and asked about resources for replication and permitting. Pesek said the Machinist Institute and the Imagine Institute have assembled a guidebook and will publish permitting lessons learned; she invited the city to connect staff for specifics. Councilmember Ryan recommended reaching out to Everett Community College to learn lessons from its early learning center closure.

Pesek said renovations begin after a July 2 groundbreaking and estimated an opening in February or March 2026, with a grand opening targeted for February 2026. "We're really excited to finally have gotten to this point," she said.

The presentation drew council support and no action was required at the meeting.