Senate approves amended S.206 to create pathway for home childcare providers to reach full licensure

The Vermont Senate passed S.206 on a 22–6 roll call vote, approving an amendment designed to preserve and expand family childcare by allowing home centers to open with a Level 1 certification and up to three two‑year periods (six years total) to work toward Level 2 licensure.

Supporters said the amendment balances workforce goals with practical barriers for rural providers. The senator from Bennington, who introduced the change, described it as “a way to a practical solution that allows people to get them open and then work towards their certification,” and said the amendment recognizes the importance of maintaining home childcare in communities that lack larger centers.

Senators on the floor reiterated that S.206 was developed with extensive input from early childhood educators. One senator noted the bill is “workforce informed” and based on recommendations from more than 1,000 working early childhood educators, and added that family childcare growth has stabilized in Vermont since Act 67.

Opponents pressed on reported costs and outcomes tied to past reforms. The senator from Essex criticized figures cited in chamber discussion and presented his own arithmetic: "We spent $375,000,000… divide that by 1,700 slots. That equals $220,588 per slot." He continued that dividing the same total by 400 jobs yields about "$937,500 per job." Those figures were offered as a critique of previously stated program effectiveness and to urge caution.

A roll call was held after debate. The clerk recorded individual votes; the presiding officer announced the tally as 22 voting yes and 6 voting no. The presiding officer then declared S.206 passed as amended.

The bill will proceed per the legislative calendar; the transcript does not record immediate amendments beyond the one adopted or the bill’s next legislative destination.