Iowans who provide child care in their home soon may face regulations. Child care centers are already required to hold a state license. Under current law, home-based child care providers register voluntarily. About 5,000 in-home day care providers have registered with the state voluntarily, but officials believe there are at least three times as many that haven’t. Under a bill that’s cleared a Senate committee, those who are paid to care for four or more kids would have to register with the state after proof they have no criminal background or have not been listed on the state’s child abuse registry. Senator Maggie Tinsman of Bettendorf says nearly every other state requires registration for home daycare providers. Tinsman says registration is only for those who are paid to care for kids; if you have five children of your own, you wouldn’t have to register. Critics say it’s unnecessary, intrusive and too burdensome to folks who’re trying to scratch a few dollars out of a home-based child care business.
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