Senator Seeks Private Help to Expand Child Care Rating System

Posted in: Quality, Idaho

A proposal to expand a quality measurement system for preschools and day-care centers won't pass the Legislature this year, its sponsor says, so he's going to look for private backing.


Lawmakers Renew Effort to Tighten ID Child Care Rules

Posted in: Quality, Idaho

After three years of failing to pass tougher day care rules in the Idaho House, lawmakers who favor changes turned Monday to the Senate in their latest bid to require more fire and safety inspections as well as criminal background checks and safety training for employees working with youngsters.


Defending child care

Posted in: Idaho, We Can Do Better
This week marks the three-year anniversary of the North Idaho Child Care Summit, a grassroots campaign to upgrade Idaho's regulations governing its day care industry.


Early childhood education in Idaho appears unlikely

Posted in: Preschool, Idaho

A state Senate task force is looking into whether state money should be spent on early childhood education, but officials say nothing is likely to happen because of philosophical differences among state lawmakers.


Idaho must repay feds $1.18 million meant for poor families

Posted in: Idaho, CCDBG/TANF
The federal government wants back $1.18 million in money for poor families that Idaho spent on a poison control hot line and vaccination registry.


Child care providers left to reform themselves

Posted in: Idaho, Quality
In Gena Anderson's eyes, the Idaho Legislature failed greatly when it refused to strengthen day care safety standards this spring.


Luna wants to keep parenting skills program despite Otter cuts

Posted in: Idaho
Superintendent of public instruction Tom Luna says an early childhood education program that Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter wants eliminated should be saved.


Idaho Falls plans child care licensing after state balked

Posted in: Idaho, Quality
A plan to strengthen day care licensing standards beyond what is mandated by the state is moving forward in this eastern Idaho city.