European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 08, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ill actually Barren Oay care Lor children in the United slates traditionally been regulated by the states now Congress is lating whether to enact minimum Federal standards a Lorce states to toe the line. 4o lower than 24 child care Bills Are pending on Altol Hill with advocates of Federal regulation sting some states just Aren t doing a proper Job he controversy Over Federal encroachment on the of the states was a major Factor holding up child e legislation last year and the fireworks Promise to equally As Lively this year vre states doing the Job Kansas gov. Bill Clinton who is leading a National Vegors association push for Federal incentives instead equipments says. The record reflects a significant it in most states to improve child care  3ut officials of the children s defense fund maintain re Are wide discrepancies in the standards from state Ilalue. In some states for example a single adult incl care for More than three infants. But in Idaho a v mandatory licensing system theoretically permits one son to care for 12 infants. The Stales that Are generally moving Forward Are the a that weren t in such bad shape to begin with says Ai Blank Day care director for the cd but we still a a situation where in Many states licensing standards i t give children the Protection they need to grow up e much less give them a Good developmental Jeriene the Bottom line is that a few states have gone awards. In some states what they Call Progress Kes you a Little  a meanwhile president Bush is pushing for a tax break Low income families with Young children on the smile that it gives parents a Choice. One Parent can Ide to stay Home or the family can use the Money for child care of their Choice. Bush s plan presumes that parents Don t want or need Leral intrusion in the Day care Field. Any Federal Lui remels would decrease the Supply of care and Inge on parental Choice. 3ul some parents have told Congress they always jumped the government regulated child care until Gedy struck their family. And experts contend that is parents Aren t qualified to judge Day care and by should they have to we Don t ask restaurant patrons to inspect the Kitchen violations says or. Sue Aronson a child care a sultans who teaches paediatrics at Hahneman in varsity in Philadelphia. There is Little disagreement among experts Over Ideal a care conditions for children some Are physical such requiring staffers to frequently Wash their hands to 3venl the spread of infectious disease providing Muni Afons. Fire extinguishers and enough adults on and to get infants and Young toddlers to safety in an Ler gency. Then there is Quality warm positive individual one to should they have to y 8, 1989 to one interactions Between adults and  As described by or sue Bredekamp. Director of professional development at the National association for the education of Young children. Such interactions have a Long term effect on language sell esteem social development and intellectual competence she says her group has identified three factors that most influence the Quality of Day care interactions group size the Stalf to child ratio and staff training. Bredekamp says proper training might have averted the recent death of a 9-month-old infant whose Nanny banged her head against the Wall because she would not Stop crying. We must face the very real possibility that the Nanny did not know any  she says. Training not Only can prevent child abuse but also enables care givers to help children grow and learn our goal is not that children just survive child care. We want and need for them to thrive in child  to that end she says 20 preschoolers and two adults is far Superior to -10 kids and four adults in terms of noise level psychological space and opportunities for individual interactions with adults and other children. She says one adult for every three or four infants is critical if babies Are to be adequately held rocked comforted and protected from physical harm. Even states with relatively stringent regulations often fall Short of standards recommended by professionals. Only 15 states meet Naeye guidelines for infant ratios and group size. Only five meet the guidelines for toddlers and 10 for preschoolers. Nearly half Don t require any training or experience of Day care teachers. On the health and safety front about half the states Don t have specific Day care Center hand washing requirements according to a forthcoming study by the american Academy of paediatrics and the american Public health association. The federally funded study meant to be a comparative report card for states also has found that Only 6 percent require that Center children be immunized for meningitis and Only 18 percent require Energy absorbing surfaces below climbing equipment although one Hall to two thirds of All injuries occur on playgrounds. Many state Legislatures have agreed to some minimum standards but have walked at More stringent regulations urged by some agencies. In Idaho for example the state has just instituted a mandatory licensing system ils first. But while the new Law requires fire and health inspections and criminal history checks it does t require any education or training of staff members. Tho staff child ratio is 1 to 12, regardless of the Ages of the children. Staffers watching no More than six kids Are riot regulated at All. The Law is less strict than our regulations were under the previous Law says Perry Ackerman. Child care licensing coordinator for the slate but that was voluntary. There was t any penalty for being unlicensed " is that Progress we lost a lot in the area of  Perry replies. But to got a mandatory Law alter eight or nine attempts. I Gussil s Progress " in Texas regulations for the state s 14.000-plus family Day care Homes Are about to be revised. Under the current system the Only qualification for care givers is that they be 18 years old. And they can watch up to 12 children depending on their Ages. One mix allows one adult to care for Lour infants and two toddlers. Another permits six Young children and six school age siblings. While Texas requires centers to be licensed its much weaker registration system Lor Day care Homes was highlighted by toddler Jessica Mcclure s Well publicized Lumble into an abandoned Well Shaft. With six children in her care the baby Siller thought she did t need to Register with the slate. She was wrong Bui even if she had registered the slate would have done no More than run checks for a criminal record or reports of child abuse. No one would have visited the House and discovered the Well shall in the Yard. It s providing a false sense of Security to parents says Cris Ros Dukler the state s assistant commissioner for licensing. Ros Dukler says she has unsuccessfully sought Money to put Teeth in the registration process. An attempt two years ago to limit family Day care Homes to six children got  she says. Hopes Lor change at this Point turn on raising the minimum care giver age to 21 and requiring training both before and after becoming a provider. At the other end of the spectrum. Delaware upgraded family Day care in 1985 and just completed an overhaul of Center regulations. The ratio now is one staffer to four infants. Health and safety requirements Are much More stringent care givers must participate in 15 hours of training a year and expose children to a Range of daily activities appropriate to their age. Guidelines for parents associated press w hat should a Parent keep in min when looking for child care Here Are suggestions trom the National association Lor the education Oyoung children and Kinder care learning centers inc. 1. Who will care Lor your child have the adults had any training or coursework in child development do they enjoy and understand How Young children learn and grow do they appear warm and enthusiastic 2. Arc there enough adults to work with a group and care Lor the individual needs of children Naeye recommends infant groups of no More than eight with at least two adults toddlers in groups of no More than 16 with at least two adults and preschoolers in groups of no More than 20 with at least two adults 3. What program activities and equipment arc offered is there a balance Between indoor and outdoor play Are sell help skills encouraged Are there toys books and other materials appropriate to your child s ago7 4. Are parents encouraged to visit at any time Are they a Elcome to discuss policies and make suggestions 5. Are Good health practices followed including frequent hand washing Are meals and snacks nutritious Are surfaces equipment and toys cleaned daily Are medical records and emergency information kept on hand Lor each child and stall member 6. Is the facility Safe does it have a smoke alarm Are toxic materials stored in locked cabinets7 7. Is the Center or Home licensed licensing and registration requirements vary from slate to state with standards much Stiller in some places than others so Check with your stale licensing Agency to find Oul whether licenses Are required in your area and if so what standards a care giver must meet. A More detailed brochure can be obtained by sending a stamped self addressed envelope to the National association for the education of Young children. Box c.1834 Connecticut ave new . 20009, the stars and stripes Pago 15