Madison – State Representative Karen Hurd (R-Fall Creek) co-authored the “Choices in Childcare” package, aimed at helping families afford childcare and increasing accessibility across our state.
The average monthly cost for full-time childcare is $915 per child. The Choices in Childcare package includes legislation that would create a childcare reimbursement account, establish a revolving loan fund to help renovate current care centers and help new centers open, create a new classification of in-home childcare centers, boost capacity, and bring provider regulations in line with our neighboring states.
“We’ve heard from many people around the state about the need for childcare. Rural areas are most in need of child care with 3.4 children per slot as compared to 1.7 children per slot in urban areas. AB 388 provides interest-free loans targeted to encourage the establishment of more in-home child care providers and expand the availability of child care slots across the state.
This revolving loan fund is intended to break down barriers for providers to comply with licensing requirements or make necessary improvements to their facility in order to expand the number of child care slots across the state. 60% of the loans are requirement that go to in-home providers to encourage more in-home day cares to fill the need in rural areas.”
The legislative package now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
