A new rule from the federal government requires staff in daycare facilities to have mandatory criminal background checks as a way to ensure child safety.
The rule released Friday is the result of bipartisan legislation that was passed in 2014 that sets higher standards for states, territories and tribes receiving federal funds for child care providers. In 2015, the federal government gave about $5 billion to states to help 850,000 working families pay for childcare.
“These new standards, which are the result of bipartisan legislation, include robust safety, screening and training procedures to boost quality, empower parents and ensure that child care programs promote healthy and positive early childhood development,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell in a statement.
The rule requires child care providers to get training on items such as first aid, CPR and how to properly administer medication. The administration also hopes to create an accessible website to help parents choose a good child care center.
HHS cited Census data that shows nearly 12.5 million kids under the age of five get some type of child care arrangement each week.
“Providing safe, high-quality environments that nurture our youngest children’s healthy growth and development will help them grow, thrive, be successful in school and even find better jobs and earn more as adults,” HHS said.
