Idaho is on track to become the first state in the U.S. to eliminate state-mandated child-to-staff ratios for early care and education programs. This move, part of a broader bill to deregulate the child care industry, would remove a long-standing requirement designed to ensure quality, health, and safety in settings serving infants, toddlers, and young children.
Supporters argue that the bill, House Bill 243, will address Idaho’s severe child care shortage by increasing the number of available child care slots. They believe it will encourage new programs to open and allow existing ones to expand. However, critics warn that the legislation could compromise child safety and attract irresponsible operators to the industry.
“No other state or developed nation that licenses child care has attempted anything like this before,” said Christine Tiddens, executive director of Idaho Voices for Children, during a House committee hearing on February 21.
The bill has advanced quickly through the Idaho legislature since its introduction on February 14. Despite opposition from parents, child care providers, and advocacy groups, the House Health and Welfare Committee voted 11-4 in favor of the bill last week. On February 27, the full House passed the bill with a 54-15 vote, sending it to the Senate. If approved and not vetoed by the governor, the law would take effect on July 1.
Concerns Over Safety and Quality
Idaho’s conservative legislature has long favored deregulation, believing that industries can self-regulate better than government entities. However, opponents argue that removing child-to-staff ratios could have dangerous consequences.
Currently, Idaho requires one adult to care for no more than six infants or eight toddlers at a time. While this ratio is already the highest in the nation for infants, the National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends no more than four infants per adult. Some states set the limit even lower, at three infants per adult.
Research shows that higher child-to-staff ratios can jeopardize children’s health and safety. For example, in emergencies like fires or when a child wanders off, fewer caregivers may struggle to respond effectively.
“Because infants and toddlers require more intensive care, these ratios ensure they receive developmentally appropriate attention,” said Melissa Boteach, vice president of child care and income security at the National Women’s Law Center. “Without these safeguards, things can go terribly wrong.”
Last year, the only reported infant death in an Idaho child care facility occurred in a program that violated child-to-staff ratios. Beyond extreme cases, higher ratios can lead to lower-quality care, such as delayed diaper changes, missed feedings, and fewer meaningful interactions with caregivers—critical for early childhood development.
A Risky Precedent
Critics also worry that Idaho’s move could set a dangerous precedent for other states. Elliot Haspel, a national early childhood expert, called the bill “one of the most dangerous child care bills I have ever seen moved through a legislature.”
Brenda Miranda, a senior research scientist at Child Trends, emphasized that regulations exist to protect children’s safety and development. “If we continue to roll these back, it’s children’s well-being that’s at risk,” she said.
As the bill moves to the Senate, the debate continues over whether deregulation will solve Idaho’s child care crisis or put its youngest residents in harm’s way.
