Each year, there is ongoing discussion about how to address the State’s early learning licensing regulations. WFIS members strongly believe that private school early learning programs serving 3–5-year-olds should be recognized as part of their K–12 educational system — and therefore not subject to child care licensing requirements.
Private schools are, after all, schools. Yet unlike public schools that operate preschool programs without a license simply because they are within the K–12 system, private schools are required to navigate a separate and often burdensome licensing process. This disparity is neither fair nor logical.
Similarly, child care centers are calling for meaningful reform to the licensing process. Their goal is to shift the focus from excessive paperwork and regulatory “hoop jumping” to what truly matters — the care, development, and education of young children.
WFIS will continue to advocate for licensing parity and a more sensible regulatory approach — one that respects the professionalism of early educators and aligns private programs with the flexibility already granted to public school early learning programs.
