OKC City Council To Consider Possible Home Daycare Changes

We are learning more about a proposal that some home daycare providers think will run them out of business.

Monday, June 16th 2014, 6:48 pm

By: Karl Torp


We are learning more about a proposal that some home daycare providers think will run them out of business.

On Tuesday, The OKC City Council will consider possible changes in the way home daycares operate.

Right now, you don't need to have a daycare license through the city unless you have eight or more kids at your home. Under the proposal, you would need a license at six or more children.

The classification means home day cares would have to fulfill a number of home improvements to meet building code. Things like a commercial dishwasher to a fire sprinkler system may be required.

"I would initially have to close down," says home daycare provider, Misty Caplinger,

"We are estimating that most home daycares will have to spend in excess of $60,000 to meet the requirements," says home day care provider, Lindsey Duncan.

6/15/2014 Related Story: OKC Proposal Would Change Requirements For Home Daycare

Some providers are upset that the board of governors for daycare centers is behind the proposal. The chairperson for the advisory board is Kathy Cronemiller, who owns five larger daycare centers in the Metro.

"That is a huge conflict of interest. This is going to benefit her centers that she currently owns," says Caplinger.

"I have waiting lists. I can't take any more. I couldn't take them anyway," says Cronemiller about the children who may be forced out of home day cares.

Cronemiller believes tighter restrictions on licensing and building codes will ultimately protect homecare providers from criminal charges if something goes wrong in the home.

Cronemiller says the current proposal will be pulled from the agenda at Tuesday's city council meeting, so the board of governors can make some changes.

However, a discussion on the issue is expected at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 17 inside City Council Chambers.

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