Governor Kim Reynolds’ bill to provide $16 Million in new grants to partnerships between childcare centers and preschools that provide a full day of care to four-year-olds has cleared the Senate. The grants could be up to $100,000 a year over a three-year period and could be used for things like expanding four-year-old enrollment or providing transportation between a preschool site and a childcare center. The bill would require shifting funds from existing childcare programs. Senator Lynn Evans of Aurelia says Senate Republicans decided to have the changes go into effect in the middle of next year after hearing concerns about making the changes immediately.
Senate Democratic Leader Janet Weiner says the bill is not a real solution for Iowa’s child care crisis.
Senator Molly Donahue, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it would make more sense to provide state funding for a full-day of preschool for four year olds.
Evans says full-day preschool would cost the state another 90 million dollars. The bill would qualify the state for five MILLION dollars in additional federal funding and Evans state funding will still be provided to support half a day of preschool for four-year-olds. The bill also eliminates the requirement that preschool programs partner with a public school district in order to get state funding. Evans says churches and non-profit groups may choose to open more preschools as a result.
The governor says two-thirds of Iowa four-year-olds are currently enrolled in preschool and her bill seeks to help working parents find seamless options for preschool as well as childcare.
