Legislature needs to adopt child care bill

I am writing in support of S1112, now pending in the Idaho Senate. This is a bill to improve Idaho’s child care safety standards. When states were ranked on child care oversight and child care regulations as separate categories, Idaho ranked last. Idaho scored 15 out of a possible 150 points.

Today, most families with children need some kind of day care or after-school care.

This bill would require background checks for people who work with children and any persons who reside in a home day care. Health standards are an essential part of this bill. Revising the training hour requirements. Continuing education for childcare providers is very important because it keeps providers current on developmental issues and it helps them to grow in their career. Also important, infant CPR, first aid, locking up firearms, smoke detectors and a functional telephone. Is there anyone else who questions why this is a problem? Please call or e-mail your legislators. Parents are already stressed and time poor. Let us as city leaders, business leaders, grandparents, pastors, teachers, and just caring residents of Bonner County, lead this state into a campaign for childcare. Saying “no” to S1112 is not an option. Being number 52 on the list is not OK for our children.

This is an easy link to the Idaho Senate — www.legislature.idaho.gov/senate/membership.cfm

MAGGIE MJELDE

Kootenai