Childcare Priorities

You can download the full legislative priorities of the Iowa Childcare Coalition here. We’ve seen a lot of early action in childcare bills, and we are excited for many of them. Thus far they have focused on making some current rules law, such as allowing childcare teachers to access childcare assistance. They have also introduced several laws that support foster children. Iowa has a lack of foster care providers and lack of childcare for working foster families is a barrier. Some of these rules will help providers provide the care we need for Iowa’s most vulnerable children.

The one bill we’ve seen that doesn’t seem to align with quality and safety is allowing 15-year-old employees to be left alone with children (House File 2054). Our concern is that if this is passed it will hurt all providers. Even if as a provider you don’t allow this (and Hand in Hand would not), insurers will base rates on this statue. And insurance for group care organizations is already very hard to obtain.