Rule Making for UPK Quality Standards are Being Moved Into PERMANENT Rule through these Meetings. These are your LAST opportunities to Communicate any of your Concerns.
Letters are good but public testimony is BETTER!
We are waiting on the cost benefit analysis regarding the ratio change. Many of your requested that and the department will provide that analysis prior to rule promulgation.
So far NINETY ONE providers have posted comments in the public comment folder indicating that a ratio change would harm their business. That only includes single locations and does not represent the total number of programs under those governing bodies.
ECEA Survey Responses show the negative impacts on the industry:
Programs have started a PETITION. Please participate at: https://chng.it/G7pdTLSJJ9 One action on this issue is NOT ENOUGH.
DATA does NOT support this move and the SMART Act requires that policy decisions are based on data! The department has placed this research study in their data file as justification and it does NOT support a dramatic shift to a 1:10 ratio!!
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DRAW ANY DEFINITIVE CONCULSIONS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF ADULT/CHILD RATIO AND GROUP SIZE ON CHILDREN IN ECEC."
NOTICE THE TERM "PROPOSED".
IN SHORT....THERE ISN'T RESEARCH TO JUSTIFY THE CHANGE!
Findings regarding the impact of adult/child ratio and group size are far from unequivocal, as a number of observational studies have failed to find significant positive associations between adult/child ratio and group size and the expected process quality and child outcomes (Barros & Anguiar, 2010; Fukkink et al., 2013; Pessanha et al., 2007; Pianta et al., 2005; Vermeer et al., 2008). An example of a study which does not support the association between group size and adult/child ratio and positive process quality outcomes is Slot et al. (2015). In this study, based on a national Dutch cohort study of preschool education and care provisions, child-to-teacher ratio and group size did not explain variance in emotional or educational process quality between ECEC classrooms. Similarly, Blau (2000) found a small and statistically insignificant association between group size and child care quality and only a small positive association between adult/child ratio and child care quality in a study based on data from a random sample of day care centres in four different states in the United States.
ECEA is not saying that we won't ever get to the 1:10 ratios. We are merely pointing out that when you set aside all of the noise, data does NOT justify this move. We encourage the state to continue building this UNIQUE UPK system and when we get to the point where outcomes are measured....we will be able to see from that data what ratios need to be in place. It is IMPERATIVE that the State listens to provider voices on this issue!! The industry's survival is partially dependent on that.
ACTION STEPS:
Fill out the petition - https://chng.it/G7pdTLSJJ9
Complete our survey (if you haven't) - https://forms.gle/EtBEbW9K6CoPzUct6
Sign up for and provide public testimony at the RAC on 2/8/24 from 1-4 p.m.
Sign up for and provide public testimony at the Rule Making Hearing on 2/22/24 from 12-2 p.m.
IF YOU DON'T THIS RATIO RULE WILL GO INTO EFFECT BASED ON ANY DATE THEY PUT IN THE RULE SET (Currently July 25). WE NEED: NO DELAY, NO UPK RATIO CHANGE!!
MEMBERS ONLY - Save the Date!
ECEA is hosting a live meeting with the Colorado Secure Savings Program!
Monday Feb. 26, 2024 from 1-2 p.m.
VIRTUAL---registration details will be out later this month!
Pictured: Scott Bright, Larisa Hegenbarth, Senator Roberts, Penny Gautier and Drenna Hill. Not pictured: Elsa Ryland
SB24-002 Clears First Hurdle!
Property Tax Incentives for Local Areas of Concern (Child Care)
We couldn't be more excited about the public testimony that these Owners provided on Tuesday in defense of privately owned businesses. Senator Roberts' bill is a comprehensive solution that enables local Board of County Commissioners or other localities to implement strategic property tax solutions for privately owned child care programs, including homes!
ECEA members: If you are willing to come do the same when this bill is at the House Committee, email: dawn@coloradoecea.org
If the Updates Help you....
If our advocacy work helps you....
If you don't have the time or energy to do it yourself.....
ECEA is here for YOU! Our primary memberships are for ALL licensed Child Care Programs and we cannot do this work without YOU!!
Find out how to JOIN NOW:
OR
Email: Dawn@coloradoecea.org to set up a virtual meeting to talk about it!
ECEA is supporting HB24-1009: Bilingual Child Care Licensing
New bill introduced that is concerning: SB24-073 Concerning a change to the maximum number of employees that an employer may employ to qualify as a small employer for Health-Care Insurance Coverage. (Changing the definition from 101 employees in a calendar year to 51 employees in a calendar year.) Being heard at the 2/14 Health & Human Services Committee.
Waiting on bill drafts for:
1) Child Friendly Community Legislation
2) Small business bill to change property tax payments to monthly instead of twice a year.
3) CCCAP changes proposed
Let us know if anything else is happening that we need to be aware of!
This is for ECEA Members ONLY. Early Registration is $125 per person through February 29, 2024. After that date the cost increases to $150. Space is limited. https://www.coloradoecea.org/s-projects-basic
www.coloradoecea.org 303-860-7174 dawn@coloradoecea.org
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