Idaho Modifies Child Care Facility Staffing Ratios To Address The State’s Child Care Shortage

On July 1, 2025, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) will implement new rules on child care facility staffing ratios, with the goal of easing the state’s shortage of child care slots, in response to House Bill 243, which was signed on March 27, 2025. The new rules restructure state-set minimum child-to-staff ratio standards, direct DHW to take over child care licensing in the state, and block local governments from implementing minimum staffing ratios more stringent than those set by the state. Idaho’s previous child-to-staff ratios were the 41st loosest in . . .