Madeline Bradshaw, from the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy, has collaborated with LIIF on a timely report, “Reconciling Fire Code Regulations for Child Care in California to Improve Child Outcomes.”
In its 60+ pages, this comprehensive report highlights challenges for providers, plus puts forth four key recommendations:
- Provide state grant funding to assist centers and home-based providers in meeting evolving fire code requirements.
- Develop policy guidance and offer training for fire departments and licensing offices statewide to standardize fire-code interpretation.
- Publish an easy-to-understand, publicly accessible resource that clearly consolidates and outlines all fire code regulations for child care providers.
- Designate specialized child care inspectors within local fire districts or jurisdictions.
Read the report.
Findings suggest that fire compliance requirements can create significant challenges for providers seeking to expand child care programs, including cost burden and implementation challenges.