Child Care Providers Say They’re Equipped to Help Teach 4-Year-Old Kindergarten

Legislation that would require school districts with 4-year-old kindergarten to collaborate with community child care providers got a mixed response at a Senate hearing Tuesday .

Child care providers testified in favor of the proposal, AB-1035 / SB-973.

It's the only one of 10 child care bills Republicans have offered this session that has won broad support from people in the child care field.

The legislation would require child care workers who teach in a 4 K program to have a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree.

Sen. Chris Larson (D- Milwaukee ) questioned what he called “eliminating the professional standards for teachers in the bill” The bill's Assembly author, Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) stressed that they would be overseen by DCF .