Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Asphalt plant sued in federal court ... Mapping Muggers Alley ... Spotters needed for National Weather Service ... Asphalt plant sued in federal court ... Mapping Muggers Alley ... Spotters needed for National Weather Service ... OREGON In-home child care providers in Oregon face unannounced inspections Some providers say state rules are increasingly strict Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 31, 2015 at 5:27 PM By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 31, 2015 at 5:27 PM » Social News BEND — Under a new state rule, Oregon officials are showing up unannounced at homes of certain licensed child care providers. The state is no longer announcing its visits to providers licensed as registered family child care, which must be in the living quarters of the provider and allows up to 10 children, reported The Bend Bulletin ( http://bit.ly/1VsqiXA ). The state's Early Learning Council approved the rule change earlier this year, according the Early Learning Division's legal and compliance director Kathleen Hynes. Some child care providers say the unannounced visits make sense but are a bit unnerving. "It is very stressful," said 35-year-old Brandy Mills on Thursday. She opened Lollipop Kids Daycare in her Bend home in 2007. "The rules are getting stricter and stricter." Mills said she recently took an online safety course through the state that reminded her of how detailed the rules could be — like saying infants should be placed in a crib with no crib bumpers, bottles or pacifiers allowed. "Some of this stuff just isn't realistic," she said. "I don't mind rules to a certain extent." The state only began licensing registered family child care providers 15 years ago, according to Hynes. There wasn't any inspection prior to that, only paperwork. The change, Hynes said, "is an opportunity really to see how the provider is doing and give some reassurance to parents." In-home care businesses have fewer requirements, said Hynes, because they are on a smaller scale than a child care center. The level above registered providers is certified family child care providers, a designation that allows in-home care for more children but requires more training and a larger home. Lisa Mathis, 45, has been a provider for 22 years and cares for eight children in her Redmond home. She said an inspector noted on one visit that she didn't have her sliding glass door marked — a rule meant to keep young children from walking into it. Mathis picked up some window cling decorations to comply with the regulation. But Jody Zahniser, a Bend resident who has been providing childcare for 10 years, said she doesn't feel impacted by the rule change. "It's about teachable moments, it's not about anything that's trying to be negative, or anything like that," said Zahniser, who described her experience with the state Office of Child Care as "very positive." By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 31, 2015 at 5:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501