Childcare

A new report from the Common Sense Institute has found that child care costs in some Colorado counties can be equivalent to more than half a week's salary at a minimum wage job, with families spending 18-25% of their monthly income on child care. Boulder County has the best supply of child care seats relative to the number of young children, while Pueblo County has the worst.

Two major child care and early learning centers in Denver are scaling back programs because of financial turmoil, with one center shutting down a building. Listen to Morning Edition host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Colorado Sun Education Reporter Erica Breunlin and then read The Colorado Sun story at the link below.

Twenty-three counties have frozen enrollment or created waiting lists for families whose welfare depends on them having access to affordable child care. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Colorado Sun reporter Erica Breunlin and then read The Colorado Sun story at the link below.

House Bill 25-1011 would have required daycare chains to be more transparent about pricing and to notify parents prior to layoffs. But opponents said it'll discourage operators from opening up centers.

National chains are a growing share of the state's childcare providers, and lawmakers want regulations before they get any larger.

Young Tracks Preschool and Daycare in Steamboat Springs was shut down this month after reports of child abuse. An investigation is underway. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Steamboat Pilot editor Trevor Ballantyne and then read The Steamboat Pilot story at the link below.

Colorado has seen a recent increase in childcare centers that are backed by private equity firms. And some lawmakers are concerned that these for-profit businesses prioritize profit ahead of caring for kids. We’ll hear more about a possible solution that would lay out new rules for these childcare centers, today on In The NoCo.

Dozens of child care centers on the Front Range are associated with or owned by private equity or venture capital firms. That's making some wonder whether these types of centers are helping or hurting the state's preschool system.

The issue is a lack of funds in the state’s childcare subsidy program. The program helps low-income families pay for childcare so they can work or attend school. However, it's facing a major budget crunch, and there’s no certainty that more funding will arrive to support it.

A controversial Colorado law states if a child protection caseworker gets caught falsifying records or lying about checking on children in one county, that person can still get a job in another county. The law further states that a new employer does not have to know about past bad behavior if there is no criminal case against that individual. Some childcare advocates are asking for a change. The Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to discuss her story.