While I understand the intention of these proposed changes, enacting many of them will have adverse affects on many effective and quality licensed child care centers in the northern VA area. I ask that the committee reconsider the following proposed changes:

Group Size: Due to the increasing demand of infant care and toddler care, especially in the northern VA area., I object to limiting the group size if it reduce capacity and accessibility for licensed infant/toddler care. This change would be difficult for centers to conform to now without investing a substantial amount of money to add to their facility or decrease classroom sizes which means removing children from opportunities to access a quality education AND increasing tuition which adds an additional financial burden on families already managing a higher than average cost of living in the DC area. At the minimum, we ask for assurances that a variance may be granted for centers physically unable to meet this requirement, to continue care, for the number of infants/toddlers in care.

Teacher Age restrictions: 16 & 17 year old aides are needed to be able to relieve full time caregivers. These students are energetic, responsible and are obtaining critical skills to help them become productive contributers to society as well as gaining the skills they need for possible careers in child care and/or education.