Title

"Cover Story" piece on the Department of Human Services (DHS), which is proposin

Authors

Jess Kilby

Source

Portland Phoenix

Date

5-10-2002

Pages

1, 16

Abstract

"Cover Story" piece on the Department of Human Services (DHS), which is proposing to improve several aspects of child care in Maine. The proposal recommends that the child-to-staff ratio in day-care centers be lowered in several age categories, that the number of children in any given program be capped regardless of the corresponding rations, and that the square footage of space per child be increased. But owners of for-profit child care centers say they can't afford to implement the DHS proposal. Heidi MacAllister-McDonald, owner of Heidi's House in Scarborough, said she would have eliminate 15 spaces from her program to comply with the new guidelines, which would represent a $115,000 loss in revenue. Moreover, she says, phasing in the increased costs will do little to help parents who simply can't afford the increase. With a detailed list of key proposed changes to day care center regulations.

Subjects

Child care, Day care centers, Maine Department of Human Services

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