Childcare centers face new emergency rules from DHS

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Childcare centers are facing changes to rules put in place by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The owners are worried the changes could impact the quality of care.

On Tuesday morning, childcare center owners talked in front of DHS at a public hearing voicing their concerns.

"At the top of the rules it says emergency, and it certainly is for childcare centers today," said Joan Day, a childcare center owner.

DHS is proposing the new emergency rules after the pandemic federal funding for childcare centers depleted last May.

"This has nothing to do with quality. This has everything to do with money," said Scott Noble, a childcare center owner.

Childcare center owners said they're upset and frustrated they may lose money for their business and staff.

"I find these rules terrifying. Largely because I have the responsibility to make payroll for staff that depend on me and these rules jeopardize my commitment to honor that," said Stephanie Krug.

Right now, there's a five star scale for childcare centers. The more stars they have, the more funding they get.

Current rules allow the centers to follow DHS guidelines and move up the scale to get more funding.

However, if the emergency rules pass, childcare centers would also have to be nationally accredited to keep five stars and funding, and owners said that will be nearly impossible to do by DHS's September deadline.

"Either you eliminate the accreditation to be five star or you extend the completion date by a year," said Day.

"Many five star programs will not be able to get accreditation in nine months. The process is at least 18 to two and a half years," said Melissa Flaherty, a childcare center owner.

Childcare center owners added if centers lose their five star ratings, it's the children who will ultimately suffer.

"The risk here is that we're jeopardizing the care for low income families and their children and I think we can all agree that they deserve the same high quality care," said Krug.

The Department of Human Services sent News 4 the following statement.

Oklahoma Human Services is grateful for the extensive input and collaboration received to update rules and create a sustainable future for Oklahoma’s child care licensing and subsidy programs. As we stated when the updated rules were announced for feedback weeks ago, public comments for the proposed emergency rules will be accepted through close of business on Wednesday, Jan. 8. All public comments will be considered before the final rules are submitted to the Governor’s office.

Oklahoma Department of Human Services