Child care regulations

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Story Published: Jan 7, 2009 at 12:06 AM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 7, 2009 at 12:06 AM MDT

By Justine Beauvais

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POCATELLO - "There are so many things already in place that you have to go through," says Future's Unlimited school administrator Lori Vorm.

To qualify for a child care license Lori Vorm already must jump through a number of hoops.

"I would hate to think it's gonna be more difficult to become licensed," says Vorm.

With Idaho's poor child care regulations, many want changes to be made, and with more changes comes a possible fear for Vorm.

"The thought of additional expenses on top of the already existing expenses to become licensed is definitely worrisome," she says.

But additional expenses are not yet a certainty, what is, the quality of standards.

"State day care standards are relaxed enough that we have children who are in day cares right now that have felons living in the day care. There's nothing that stops that," says Idaho State Representative James Ruchti.

After failed attempts over the last several years to improve those standards, thoughts and opinions are shared in an effort to make a change.

"The need to have quality safe day cares and make sure that daycare standards protect the children that attend," says Ruchti.

And these changes are not only for the children.

"They need to know when they go to work and drop their kid off at day care that their child is going to be cared for that they will be in a safe environment and that will allow the parent to go to work and focus on what they need to at work and know that their child will be taken care of," he says.

Although a possible fee increase may be a struggle for Vorm, money is not her top concern.

"I do actually think that should be done because our children don't have a voice and we have to be able to protect them and that is one way that we can ensure their safety," says Vorm.

And if changes are made she hopes they will be for the right reason.

"It will be interesting to see where they choose to go and if it ultimately benefits the children, because that's why were all here and that's why any of this should become issue, is for children," she says.

If the bill is passed it will likely take effect in July this year.

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