In Vermont and New Hampshire, licensed child care providers must meet standards set by the state. In recent years the state standards — especially in Vermont — have changed to include educational requirements and other specifications that can be difficult for providers to meet.
“Providers have been really challenged by changes in regulations,” said Nancy Bloomfield, executive director of The Family Place in Norwich. Bloomfield said that while everyone supports improved quality of care, the regulations are expensive for providers to meet.
“Parents can’t afford to pay enough for the providers to deliver that cost of care,” she said.
Angela Markert, of Springfield, Vt., has been on both sides of the issue. She utilizes child care from a licensed provider for her grandson, of whom she has custody. She is also a licensed care provider for special needs individuals in the state.
“As a provider, I see how a lot of the safety regulations are necessary,” she said. However, “some great day cares have closed,” because of the regulations, she said.
— Kelly Burch