Ariz. DHS May Raise Day Care Fees 8,800%

PHOENIX - Day care licensing fees could be going up and the price passed along to parents. 

Money is tight for many valley families and if you have children in day care, pre-school or after school programs, money could get even tighter in January.

Arizona is in the middle of one of the worst budget battles, trying to figure out how to come up with billions of dollars - and the deficit could be passed on the parents.

The Department of Health Services wants to raise the state licensing fee for day care providers.  Currently, day care providers pay a flat fee of $150 for a three year license.  The new fee proposed by the Department of Health Services would be staggered, based on the number of children at the facility.

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Centers with 5 to 10 children would pay $581, while facilities with a capacity of 150 or more children would pay more than $13,000.  The Arizona Department of Health Services announced this month that it plans to raise licensing fees, some up to 8,800%. This increase would take effect within only ten weeks and would overwhelm many facilities, causing them to hike their rates or reduce their services. Both options would leave working families and teachers without options.

This is the first proposed fee change since 1976. Advocates will appeal to Governor Brewer and the legislature to immediately suspend these proposed fees, seek alternate funding to support licensure, and phase in any increases with adequate notice.

Parents, early childhood advocates, and teachers and administrators from child care, preschool and after school programs will hold a rally at the State Capitol on October 27 to protest the proposed licensing fee increases and call for their suspension.

Rally for Suspension of Licensing Fee
Oct. 27, 4pm - 5pm
Senate Lawn, Arizona State Capitol
1700 W. Washington St, Phoenix

Following the rally, participants are encouraged to attend the Department of Health Services Public Hearing at the State Lab Auditorium, 250 N. 17th Ave in Phoenix, where the licensing fee increases will be considered.