Ponderay OKs child care law
PONDERAY — Even before taking the oath of office as Ponderay’s mayor, Carol Kunzeman knew she wanted to do something to help protect local children.
With a proposed new ordinance, Kunzeman looks like she’ll get her wish by tightening restrictions on who can operate child care facilities in Ponderay.
“The way it’s set up now, anyone with six kids or less can take care of children without a license, and I don’t think that’s safe for the children,” Kunzeman said.
Idaho requirements for child care are notoriously lax, according to Kunzeman, but the state does allow for individual communities to create their own, more stringent rules for child care.
The new restrictions, modeled after a similar ordinance in Coeur d’Alene, would require all child care providers over 18 years old to obtain a state-issued license and submit to a fire code inspection and background check.
The issue of child care is near and dear to Kunzeman’s heart. Before moving to Ponderay, Kunzeman spent years operating an infant daycare and preschool, which she said gave her valuable knowledge of what it takes to supervise children.
“I personally have very strong feelings that when you take care of other people’s children, you need to do the right thing and protect those children,” Kunzeman said.
While she is confident the ordinance will pass when it comes to council for a vote, Kunzeman said she expects some resentment from local child care providers over the added costs and safety requirements the ordinance will demand.
It might be an uphill battle explaining to some why tighter restrictions are needed, but when it comes to children, Kunzeman said community leaders should be willing to upset a few providers in order to keep kids safe.
“Really, I’m surprised that more cities don’t create stricter ordinances. It makes me a little sad that children could be at risk,” Kunzeman said.
The ordinance is currently being reviewed by Ponderay’s Planning and Zoning committee, but Kunzeman expects it to reach the full City Council soon.