They say fewer children would be put at risk if Iowa regulators had the authority, training and employees needed to raise the quality of the poorer child-care centers. Similarly, she said, if states are going to regulate, they need to have enough regulators to monitor the child care that is being provided. Studies consistently show that while Iowa's demand for child care is near the highest in the nation, Iowa's level of government assistance ranks among the lowest. Once corrective actions are taken, centers can reopen. Other states use fines to deter child-care centers from violating state regulations.
Some states offer higher subsidies to centers with strong records of compliance with regulations.
North Carolina offers scholarships for child-care workers who seek more training, and participants receive bonuses if they complete the courses. Hollestelle, of the Children's Foundation, said most states are beset with the same high turnover, low wages and lack of training found in Iowa child-care businesses. However, as the importance of quality child care has become better understood, many states have begun raising the expectations placed on child-care centers. There are about 1,500 licensed child-care centers in Iowa. About 180,000 youngsters are cared for in these centers and in the homes of caregivers, state officials say.