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Assembly approves bill to relax staff-to-child ratios for some upstate childcare providers
Summary
A612 passed after debate over whether allowing a 1:6 toddler-to-staff ratio upstate lowers care standards or is necessary to keep providers solvent; sponsor said OCFS drafted the change and it will help providers admit more children without hiring staff.
The Assembly passed A612, which would permit certain upstate childcare providers to operate under staffing ratios that mirror some New York City practices so they can admit more children without hiring additional staff. Sponsor Assemblymember Hevesy said the change responds to a childcare capacity and workforce crisis outside New York City.
"In order to address our childcare crisis in New York State, we've heard from our providers out of New York City," Assemblymember Hevesy said, explaining that the Office of Children and Family Services provided the bill language and that the 1:6 ratio has functioned safely in New York City settings. Members including Miss Walsh questioned whether the bill effectively lowers standards and whether the Legislature should set ratios rather than delegate them to OCFS.
Hevesy described the measure as permanent policy to help providers: "It's permanent. It's just good public policy," he said, adding that the change is intended to keep providers in business while broader workforce investments are pursued. The clerk announced Ayes 148, Noes 1; the bill was passed.
