House panel kills bill to increase size of day care classes

NASHVILLE (AP) — Legislation that would have allowed more children in a day care class died quietly in a House subcommittee on Wednesday.

The bill sponsored by Rep. John Litz, D-Morristown, would have reset teacher-to-child ratios implemented last July for 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds and school-age children.

The bill would have allowed 15 4-year-olds per teacher, rather than 13; 20 5-year-olds, rather than 16; and 25 school-aged children, rather than 20.

The bill wasn’t even discussed. It failed for lack of a second from a member of the House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee.

Litz said he wasn’t surprised because several colleagues said they didn’t want to revisit the contentious issue.

The lowered ratios were part of an overhaul four years ago of the state’s day care regulations, including the requirement for smaller class sizes that was phased in over time.

Child care providers complained it was too expensive — because they would have to hire more teachers — and could put them out of business unless they raised their rates significantly. Litz said he was told the increased cost was about $20 per week per child.

Officials at the Tennessee Department of Human Services were pleased with the subcommittee’s action.

“All the research shows that lower ratios are better for children. They get more individual attention,” said department spokeswoman Michelle Mowery Johnson.

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On the Net:

Read HB2443/SB2514 at Tennessee General Assembly: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us