Day cares statewide may see big changes

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Big changes may be in store for day care facilities statewide after a state committee approved the host of proposed changes to regulations.

The Texas Department of Family and Child of Protective Services Committee on Licensing Standards is looking at changing a host of regulations for the state's licensed child daycare facilities, foster homes, 24-hour residential care and school-aged programs.

The committee looks at regulation changes every six years, and many child care providers - opposing and supportive - attended Tuesday's committee meeting to discuss the proposed changes.

While the committee approved the proposed changes, they are still not finalized yet. Public comment will be incorporated, and more changes are still possible.

The committee tentatively approved increasing training hours for caregivers and directors, recommending preservice training increased from 16 hours to 40 and that annual training be increased from 25 hours to 40.

Although the committee is not ready to move forward with the rule changes, members are seeking an opinion from the Attorney General's office.

The committee also recommended lowering child-to-caregiver ratios for children ages 18 months through 12 years old.

Some suppoters of the new change said Texas is in the bottom across the county with an 11-to-1 ratio, and some would like to see an 8-to-1 ratio. The change would decrease the number of children-to-caregiver by one- to two children per age group.

Others opposed to the new changes said the ratio changes would force parents to find underground, unlicensed centers because it would limit enrollment and a loss in revenue.

In addition, the committee considered combating childhood obesity by increasing outdoor play in the mornings and afternoons and limiting the amount of juice children drink. The committee wants to increase water consumption during all meals.

Meanwhile, the committee's vote goes to commissioner Anne Heiligenstein, who will then make recommendations. The committee is set to take a final vote this fall.

On another note, the new incoming chair took the reins as an appointee of Gov. Rick Perry.

Gigi Bryant is a product of the Texas foster system, having entered foster care at just 6 years old in the 60s and aged out at 18 years old.

Bryant said she is passionate about and committed to improving the quality of life for the thousands of children in the state's foster system.