WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Making childcare a safe place

On May 2 of last year, five-month-old Baby Eve died of SIDS in a Seattle Childcare called First Nest. But the story doesn’t start there. Twelve years ago, another infant, Baby Graham, died at First Nest — also from SIDS.

In response to these and other tragedies Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Seattle, has sponsored HB

2165. If a child fatality occurs in a state licensed childcare or early learning center, HB

 Kathy Strauss
Rep. Kagi and committee members hear testimony from parents.

2165 will require a rigorous review by a Childcare Fatality Review Committee. The committee, which must include outside experts, will make recommendations to the Dept. of Early Learning and the Legislature to strengthen health and safety standards and practices in childcare – better protecting our vulnerable children.

At the public hearing, Eve and Graham’s parents testified in favor of Rep. Kagi’s bill.

Both families spoke of the need for transparency, closure and action. They believe that a fatality review committee is an absolute necessity. Barbara Hazzard said, “If a review process was in place, it would have given us some peace of mind, knowing that everything that could have been done, was.”

Over the years, Washington has taken many steps to increase oversight in childcare:

  • The formation of the DEL in 2006 moved childcare out of DSHS and into a smaller realm, helping create greater accountability.
  • In 2007 the legislature passed a bill that enacted extra safeguards for childcare, like: hiring competent providers, establishing a website so parents can see violations and faster notification to parents if misconduct is suspected.
  • Also in 2007, after several heartbreaking incidents in which children were strangled by window blind cords, the state passed a law allowing only child-safe cords.
  • To ensure our children are safe from criminals, in 2011, the legislature passed a much needed law requiring background checks for childcare providers.
  • In 2011 the state passed a bill to crack down on unlicensed childcares .
  • Last year, the state legislature passed SB 5595. This bill will make sure our child cares are held to higher standards, give providers the tools they need to give quality care and give more transparency to parents.

HB 2165 will build on these previous efforts. At the hearing, Rep. Kagi said, “Every one of our babies in childcare should be safe and secure. We owe it to all families who’ve had to endure a child’s death to pass this bill. I look forward to working with parents, childcare providers and the Department of Early Learning to make that a reality.”