Vermont already has the most restrictive child care regulations in the country. S.206 would add even more.
According to the Archbridge Institute’s State Child Care Regulations Index, Vermont already has the most restrictive child care facility regulation in the country. Academic research has clearly established a link between rigid child care regulations and costs for families. Rigid education requirements, in particular, have been estimated to raise the cost of child care by as much as 40%.
Working families in Vermont are already saddled with some of the most expensive infant child care in the nation. A recent report from the Economic Policy Institute estimates that infant child care averages nearly $19,000 per year—well over $1,500 per month. This places Vermont 12th nationally regarding the cost of infant child care.
Instead of taking a close look at existing regulations and cutting red tape, legislators in Montpelier are looking to add new regulations. A new bill, S.206, has already passed the Senate and is currently under consideration in the House. If it moves forward, a new Board of Early Childhood Educators will be created.
This will mean even more regulatory hurdles for day care teachers in addition to the day care provided in family child care homes.
On the surface, tougher regulation might sound good. Who doesn’t want more educated teachers?
If pending legislation moves forward, early childhood educators would need to obtain a license to work. Child care centers are already facing staffing shortages. Making it harder and more expensive for child care educators to begin working will only worsen the situation.
On top of that, child care workers who already receive low compensation will be forced to pay annual fees for the privilege of working. This boils down to a new tax on employment. Vermont should be looking to attract more child care workers, not penalize them.
Continue reading at VTDigger.
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
Economics of Flourishing
According to the Archbridge Institute’s State Child Care Regulations Index, Vermont already has the most restrictive child care facility regulation in the country. Academic research has clearly established a link between rigid child care regulations and costs for families. Rigid education requirements, in particular, have been estimated to raise the cost of child care by as much as 40%.
Working families in Vermont are already saddled with some of the most expensive infant child care in the nation. A recent report from the Economic Policy Institute estimates that infant child care averages nearly $19,000 per year—well over $1,500 per month. This places Vermont 12th nationally regarding the cost of infant child care.
Instead of taking a close look at existing regulations and cutting red tape, legislators in Montpelier are looking to add new regulations. A new bill, S.206, has already passed the Senate and is currently under consideration in the House. If it moves forward, a new Board of Early Childhood Educators will be created.
This will mean even more regulatory hurdles for day care teachers in addition to the day care provided in family child care homes.
On the surface, tougher regulation might sound good. Who doesn’t want more educated teachers?
If pending legislation moves forward, early childhood educators would need to obtain a license to work. Child care centers are already facing staffing shortages. Making it harder and more expensive for child care educators to begin working will only worsen the situation.
On top of that, child care workers who already receive low compensation will be forced to pay annual fees for the privilege of working. This boils down to a new tax on employment. Vermont should be looking to attract more child care workers, not penalize them.
Continue reading at VTDigger.
Edward Timmons
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
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