Iowa lawmakers approve plan to make child care more affordable for child care staff

State lawmakers have approved a plan to permanently help child care workers afford care for their own children, something providers say could help keep centers staffed and open for families across the state.

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A bill aimed at tackling one of Iowa’s biggest child care challenges is now one step away from becoming law.State lawmakers have approved a plan to permanently help child care workers afford care for their own children, something providers say could help keep centers staffed and open for families across the state.The proposal passed unanimously through the Iowa Senate on Monday after clearing the House earlier this year. It would make permanent a pilot program, Iowa Child Care Assistance, that helps cover childcare costs for people working at least 32 hours a week in the industry.Providers say it helps address the reality that many childcare workers struggle to afford child care for their own families.Across Iowa, staffing shortages have forced centers to limit enrollment, leaving families on waitlists or without options. Providers say that when workers can afford care for their own children, they are far more likely to stay on the job.Lyndi McVey, who owns Primrose School of Ankeny Prairie Trail, says several of the staff members there utilize the CCA program to cover the cost of childcare. She says that it is already making an impact.“We have seen a huge increase in the retention of our staff who are able to bring their children,” she said.McVey says stability among staff directly affects the quality of care children receive.“We see better academic outcomes with consistent staff. We see better social and emotional outcomes with consistent staff,” McVey said. “When we lose those, we run the risk of these children not having as premium of an experience as we want to provide.”And she says when centers do not have enough teachers, the effects ripple outward.“If I don’t have enough teachers, then I have to say children can’t come for the day. If children can’t come for the day, that causes the parent to then call out,” she said. “Whether that is a physician, whether that’s an EMS paramedic, whether that’s a legislator. You have to start with those building blocks of where your kids are going for the day, so everybody else can be successful.”Child care leaders across the state say making the CCA program permanent would strengthen Iowa’s workforce as a whole.Kim Scorza, CEO of Crittenton Center in Western Iowa, says the bill is a “no-brainer.”“Without child care we don’t have a workforce,” Scorza said.She added that the bill would “stabilize the child care workforce.””By being able to bring your children to work, and you’ll be working in another room with other children, you’re able to get high-quality childcare for yourself and your family,” she said. “It’s a huge benefit because then they’re not worried about their own child care costs.”The bill is now on its way to the governor’s desk for a signature. If signed into law, the bill would make the program permanent, giving providers a more reliable tool to recruit and retain staff and, they say, helping ensure more Iowa families can find the care they need.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

A bill aimed at tackling one of Iowa’s biggest child care challenges is now one step away from becoming law.

The proposal passed unanimously through the Iowa Senate on Monday after clearing the House earlier this year. It would make permanent a pilot program, Iowa Child Care Assistance, that helps cover childcare costs for people working at least 32 hours a week in the industry.

Providers say it helps address the reality that many childcare workers struggle to afford child care for their own families.

Across Iowa, staffing shortages have forced centers to limit enrollment, leaving families on waitlists or without options. Providers say that when workers can afford care for their own children, they are far more likely to stay on the job.

Lyndi McVey, who owns Primrose School of Ankeny Prairie Trail, says several of the staff members there utilize the CCA program to cover the cost of childcare. She says that it is already making an impact.

“We have seen a huge increase in the retention of our staff who are able to bring their children,” she said.

McVey says stability among staff directly affects the quality of care children receive.

“We see better academic outcomes with consistent staff. We see better social and emotional outcomes with consistent staff,” McVey said. “When we lose those, we run the risk of these children not having as premium of an experience as we want to provide.”

And she says when centers do not have enough teachers, the effects ripple outward.

“If I don’t have enough teachers, then I have to say children can’t come for the day. If children can’t come for the day, that causes the parent to then call out,” she said. “Whether that is a physician, whether that’s an EMS paramedic, whether that’s a legislator. You have to start with those building blocks of where your kids are going for the day, so everybody else can be successful.”

Child care leaders across the state say making the CCA program permanent would strengthen Iowa’s workforce as a whole.

Kim Scorza, CEO of Crittenton Center in Western Iowa, says the bill is a “no-brainer.”

“Without child care we don’t have a workforce,” Scorza said.

She added that the bill would “stabilize the child care workforce.”

“By being able to bring your children to work, and you’ll be working in another room with other children, you’re able to get high-quality childcare for yourself and your family,” she said. “It’s a huge benefit because then they’re not worried about their own child care costs.”

The bill is now on its way to the governor’s desk for a signature.

If signed into law, the bill would make the program permanent, giving providers a more reliable tool to recruit and retain staff and, they say, helping ensure more Iowa families can find the care they need.