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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Online day-care checkup in works

Associated Press

SEATTLE – Some child care agencies are nervous about plans for an updated state Web site that officials say will list validated complaints against providers.

The new database, offered by a division of the Department of Social and Health Services, could be operating by the middle of next month.

The site will list and describe complaints that are deemed valid against child-care providers, and may also list those ruled inconclusive.

Users also would be able to find contact information for state officials who license each of Washington state’s 8,300 licensed child-care and home day-care centers.

Rachael Langen, director of the state’s Division of Child Care and Early Learning, said the update will provide “one more piece of information for parents.”

State regulators informed child-care providers about the new Web site earlier this month, and some providers say they are nervous about how the information will be interpreted.

Lynn Wirta, secretary of the Child Care Directors Association of Greater Seattle, said she worries about a lack of consistency from state officials who monitor different child-care agencies.

But giving parents better information “is not a bad thing,” Wirta said.

“It exposes us a little more, but on the other hand, we should be doing a good job,” she told the Seattle Times.

Nina Auerbach, chief executive of the nonprofit King County referral agency Child Care Resources, said parents should beware that the listings can’t be the last word in child-care quality.

“Even if parents check and there’s nothing (posted) about a facility, that doesn’t always mean the program is wonderful,” Auerbach said.

The online histories initially will list complaints dating back to July. Officials say the site eventually will provide complaints up to three years old.

Langen said the new Web site is a first step in improving child-care information, but the division will need more money for technology upgrades to take the program further.