PRPS would appreciate your help as we work to protect and even expand municipal preschool recreation programs used by thousands of Pennsylvania children. Last year the Pennsylvania House approved bipartisan legislation that would permanently protect these programs from closure while ensuring the safety of participating children. However, the bill never came up for a final passage vote in the Senate. We must therefore restart the process in the new legislative session. Representatives Mary Jo Daley and Barry Jozwiak yesterday circulated a memo to all House members requesting support and co-sponsorship of the forthcoming bill. We could use the help of PRPS members and friends to build support for the legislation and educate the many new House members on the need for the bill.
Please contact your state representative to protect vital recreation programs for children
Background
Pennsylvania daycare regulations were designed to provide standards to protect the health, safety, and rights of children in private daycare facilities. Unfortunately, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended these regulations by interpretation to seasonal, partial day municipal preschool recreation programs even though they are not private daycare centers. As a result, municipal preschool recreation programs, some in existence for over 50 years, have been forced to close their doors because it is physically, financially, or otherwise infeasible to be licensed as a daycare program by DHS. Other programs have continued to operate under threat of fines and "cease and desist" letters.
Unlike a private daycare facility subject to an annual or biannual inspection, a municipal recreation program features additional layers of protection for children as the trained staff of municipal park and recreation agencies work closely with police, emergency services, solicitors, and elected officials.
Representatives Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) are sponsoring bipartisan legislation to protect these programs. The bill requires municipalities to adopt by ordinance or resolution a rigorous and detailed set of best health and safety practices in order to offer these preschool recreation programs. These standards will ensure child safety and address the core concerns of parents, professional recreation providers, and state regulators alike.
The municipal preschool recreation programs at risk if the bill does not pass provide wonderful opportunities for healthy recreation in the outdoors, pools, and recreation centers that are not part of the typical daycare experience. These experiences can help instill habits, interests, and skills that can last a lifetime. There is extensive research showing the benefits of connecting children with nature and introducing play programs at an early age.
Please see the sample letter to your House member that includes many of these same points. We encourage you to personalize the letter if you or your children have benefited from these programs.
Thanks for your help!
Tim Herd, CPRE, CEO
PA Recreation & Park Society