Sample Letter of Action

Subject: Idaho Daycare Licensing Bill S1112

Dear [ Representative Sayler ] ,

In Idaho, there are over 75,000 children under age six with working parents. These children are in some kind of child care arrangement every day, every week. But, the state of Idaho doesn’t have any health and safety standards for child care unless someone is caring for more than 12 kids. There’s no background check required for child care providers. There’s no training in CPR, first aid, or child development. There’s no oversight

[ Provide your own story here ] 

It’s time to provide some minimum protection for children. Working parents want to know that their children are safe when in the care of someone else. Working parents can’t conduct their own background check. And, they can’t monitor child care settings while they are at work. Other states license child care. There is some state entity to ensure that parents aren’t on their own with regard to their children’s safety and healthy development. I think it’s time for Idaho to step to the plate on behalf of the state’s youngest children.

The Idaho Senate has passed legislation that would strengthen the state’s child care laws. The bill is bogged down in the House of Representatives where members can show that they care if our children are safe. I think it’s time to protect Idaho children. Please don’t let the Idaho House kill child care legislation again this year. I would appreciate your letting me know if you will support the child care bill S1112, and what you will do to help move it in the Idaho House.