News | Idaho AEYC

Boise explores changes to childcare worker licensing to relieve worker shortage

By Margaret Carmel - BoiseDev Sr Reporter

Boise is hoping to bring a little relief to the struggling childcare industry.

This fall, the city council gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to a series of three proposals to relieve some of the regulatory hoops childcare workers have jump through to get licensed in city limits. These suggestions were proposed by a childcare task force made up of local business leaders, childcare providers and industry experts convened by Mayor Lauren McLean earlier this year.

Read the entire article on the Idaho Press.

Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) recently received support in the amount of $600,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to increase high quality childcare through training and coaching early childcare providers using research-based best practices to support whole child development.

Eric Tegethoff, Public News Service

Image courtesy of Mary Altaffer / Associated Press

Listen to the interview on Idaho Matters.

Child care resources across our state have been shrinking—which has led to fewer options for working families. And many childhood experts say we are now at a point of crisis in Idaho.

Read the full story on The Lewiston Tribune

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, half of Idaho families were living in child care deserts. Some rural communities lacked child care centers. Even in metropolitan areas, however, the capacity fell short of meeting the need.

IF APPROVED, LOCAL PROVIDERS HOPE IT LOWERS ONE BARRIER TO HIRING NEW TEACHERS

Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Idaho Capital Sun

For child care providers in Boise, finding a potential employee who already has a license to care for children is like finding a unicorn. They are special, rare and competitive.

Read the entire article in the Idaho Statesman.

Idaho’s child care system is collapsing, and the resulting effects will be devastating for families, employers, and our economy. Families that depend on affordable, quality care are being left with few options and many providers are at their breaking point, being unable to find staff to operate at needed capacity.

Read the full story from the Editorial Board on the Idaho Statesman

Over the next several months, you may be presented with an opportunity to sign a petition from Reclaim Idaho to put something called the Quality Education Act on the November 2022 ballot. If you get that opportunity, you should sign the petition.

Read the full story on The Post Register

See the full clip on KTVB.

Boise explores changes to childcare worker licensing to relieve worker shortage

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Idaho child care shortage straining not only families, but businesses

Opinion: Idaho's prosperity starts with Idaho's kids

A big deal': Boise task force recommends changes to child care licensing process

IF APPROVED, LOCAL PROVIDERS HOPE IT LOWERS ONE BARRIER TO HIRING NEW TEACHERS

The state's child care system is collapsing. It needs state support to keep it afloat.

Editorial: If Idaho's Republican legislators won't properly fund education, voters have to do it

Opinion: It's time to put our children first

Idaho's daycare system is in crisis, experts say

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