Childcare injuries a major concern for Georgia leaders
Candidates for Georgia’s highest offices and childcare leaders expressed concern about serious child injuries at daycares that Georgia officials advertised as high-quality centers, a systemic flaw The Atlanta Journal-Constitution uncovered in a recent investigation.
They committed to ensure child safety and to improve transparency to help parents.
The head of the state’s childcare association emailed daycare providers statewide, calling the AJC’s reporting “troubling” and said the article raised “serious questions” about child safety and accountability.
Ideisha Bellamy, the chief executive officer of the Georgia Child Care Association, said that no one is more troubled by the news report than owners, directors and educators who work every day to maintain high standards of care for children.
“The reports are deeply concerning,” Bellamy said in the email. “Children deserve quality care that meets appropriate standards of health, safety and comfort. Families deserve a system of care they can trust.”
Bellamy declined the AJC’s request for an interview or to answer additional written questions.
An AJC investigation revealed this month that the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning’s three-star rating program that scores the quality of daycares is flawed and can be misleading. State officials don’t reconsider or strip ratings from daycares after serious incidents, even when workers were arrested. Once a daycare receives its rating, it can keep it for up to three years. The AJC found daycares kept their ratings after children suffered chemical burns, broken bones and a baby boy died at an Atlanta daycare.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee for governor, said she would review licensing and rating standards to ensure families have the information they need to make informed decisions about childcare, and that providers have the resources and support they need to deliver safe, quality care.
“As a mother of four, Keisha is committed to strengthening Georgia’s childcare system and ensuring every child has a safe place to learn and grow,” Bottoms’ campaign spokesperson TaNisha Cameron said.
If elected, Bottoms said she would require timely reviews of serious incidents, with clear consequences for substantiated violations and fair procedures for providers. She also wants additional funding for childcare workers and investment for programs to hire additional staff, without relying solely on tuition increases, Cameron said.
Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee, said there is no more important responsibility for the governor than keeping Georgians safe. He promised to build on Gov. Brian Kemp’s legacy and to bring further transparency to daycare ratings, according to campaign spokesman Garrison Douglas.
“As parents search for a daycare or pre-k program Georgia families deserve transparency and insight into when a program does not meet the standards expected and how they have resolved deficiencies,” Douglas said.
Childcare regulators plan to make changes to improve the integrity of the rating system in 2027, including to strip ratings from daycares that violate state rules or have a major incident that harms a child. Programs would also be blocked from receiving bonus payments and, in extreme cases, state subsidies.
Commissioner Amy Jacobs, who oversees the Department of Early Care and Learning, said serious injuries in childcare are uncommon.
“We will continue strengthening accountability, so families have the confidence and information needed to make informed decisions,” she said in a statement issued the day the AJC’s investigation published.
Bobby Cagle, who was commissioner of the department in 2012 when the rating program launched, said the planned changes are a good idea.
“You can’t be satisfied that what we did 14 years ago is still what ought to be done today,” he said.
The department is collecting feedback about the proposed changes from childcare providers at four regional training events across Georgia in October. More than 100 providers have participated so far, spokesman Reg Griffin said.
An update on the changes may be discussed at the Board of Early Care and Learning’s meeting Nov. 19 in Atlanta.
Georgia attorney general candidates Brian Strickland and Tanya Miller say they will fight to keep kids safe in daycare if elected to the state’s highest legal office.
In response to the AJC’s reporting, both candidates said they plan to open a direct line of communication with daycare regulators.
“I am happy to work with them as attorney general to make certain we have a system in place where families can know that our children are safe,” said Strickland, the Republican nominee.
Miller, the Democratic nominee, leaned into her record as a former federal and Fulton County prosecutor who worked on cases involving crimes against women and children. She said justice begins with a system that can be trusted to enforce the law.
As attorney general, Miller said she would seek to be notified of every serious incident within 24 hours so her office can “fight for swift suspensions and revocations of problem daycares’ licenses.” If necessary, she would seek approval from the governor to prosecute cases through her office.
“Parents don’t need reassurance. They need enforcement and accountability for the people who harm their children,” Miller said.
The attorney general advises state agencies, represents the state in civil litigation and prosecutes some criminal cases. The Department of Early Care and Learning can seek help from the attorney general to collect civil penalties and negotiate compromises when daycares violate state licensing rules, according to state law.
“We value that partnership, and we welcome continued collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office, regardless of who holds that office, when it helps us fulfill our responsibility to protect Georgia’s children and administer the law fairly and effectively,” Griffin said.