Every six years, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reviews the Childcare Licensing minimum standards. 2010 is a review year and there have been several proposed changes. One such change involved the ratio of teachers to children in daycare centers. The proposed change would have lowered the ratio of adults to 2 year olds from 1 to 11 down to 1 to 9. Although most people agreed that such a change would increase the quality of care in Texas daycares, many daycare owners and parents voiced concern that the ratio change would also raise daycare costs. There are over 750 licensed daycare centers in Dallas County alone.
Before adopting any proposed changes, Childcare Licensing gives parents, daycare staff, owners, directors and the general public a chance to comment on the changes. Opponents cited the economic downturn as their main argument against the change. Proponents now hope the economy will improve enough by 2016 to implement better ratios. Many of the public comments were negative about the possible price increase for care and the fear that some parents might feel forced to use illegal, unregulated care. Children in unregulated childcare are twice as likely to die in care than children in regulated care.
In the same vein, the DFPS has partnered with the Texas Association of Broadcasters for a radio and television ad campaign through July 2011. The ad campaign focuses on educating parents about the dangers of unregulated childcare and expands on the current “Don’t be in the Dark” campaign.
Comments
That's too bad, we are keeping the quality of care down to save money. It's sad.
That's too bad, we are keeping the quality of care down to save money. It's sad.
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