By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The latest state child care regulations changes were released earlier this summer.
One of the most significant changes was to the children-to-provider ratios. Those ratio changes don't go into effect automatically. Providers have to apply for certification for the new child counts.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment website contains a complete list of the regulation changes.
The new regulations would allow providers to care for more children ages 1 to 5, depending on staffing.
The definition of an infant changed to a child younger than 1 instead of 18 months.
Surveys in Ellis County have shown that the greatest need is infant care. Providers are required to have more staff for infant care than older children.
Andrew Cutright, board member for the Hays Area Children's Center, said although the center would be allowed to have more children under the new rules, the center would need to have more square footage to account for more children. They do not have that space.
Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, said changing the square footage requirements would greatly help providers.
Kansas requires 35 square feet per child, and most states require 25 square feet per child, Wasinger said.
Watching videos on the new regulations counts toward child care providers' required hours for recertification.
Child care providers must also have a written policy on how they change diapers, which must be posted in the diaper changing area.
Tori Ruder, in-home child care provider, said the regulation would require her to post her diaper changing policy in her living room or move that area to another place in her home.
Regulations are also now requiring hands free trash cans and diaper pails as well as first aid kits.
Sarah Wasinger, task force facilitator, suggested the task force could seek grant funds to help providers pay for the first aid kits.
Dana Stanton, child care program director for the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, said some longtime providers are now required to take additional training to meet current training standards.
The task force also discussed the need to make parents more aware of the availability of state assistance for child care.
Only 12% of Kansas families who qualify for child care subsidies in Kansas use them.
A family of four making less than $6,966 a month could earn child care subsidies. Children must be younger than 13. Call 1-888-369-4777 to learn more. The Department of Children and Families runs subsidies and applications can be picked up at any agency office.
"It makes me wonder if that is an awareness thing that the task force could be using out there," Cutright said. "Did you know that you could be eligible for these funds? Even though child care is expensive, here's an opportunity."
Stanton said not all providers accept the subsidies, but a good chunk of them do.
Ruder said being becoming a DCF provider is not difficult.
However, Curtright said the state has an initial delay in paying funds to child care providers. Centers can handle that cash flow issue, but that might be more difficult for in-home providers, he said.
Wasinger said, "How many providers are we talking to who, if they could take those dollars, would have more kids on their workload and wouldn't have to struggle to fill up their spots?"
The next task force meeting will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.
Child care providers who need fingerprinting can have their fingerprints done for free at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Welcome Center or at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rose Garden Baquet Hall, 2350 E. Eighth St. Training will also be offered the evening of Nov. 14.
Submit a child care champion nomination for your favorite child care provider HERE.