Maine, like much of the nation, is facing a child care crisis, with the number of providers declining dramatically in recent years. But those aren’t the only child care challenges in Maine.
Maine’s health department consistently relicenses child care providers with repeat violations, a joint Maine Monitor and Center for Public Integrity investigation found. Meanwhile, some child care providers who accept children in foster care say it has taken months, even years, to receive payment. Others have stopped billing entirely or been forced to close down due a lack of funds.
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Child care providers say the state is months behind in reimbursement payments. Lawmakers are investigating.
“When you have one kid, one spot, who's not being paid for essentially or not being paid for consistently, you can't pay your bills,” said one child care provider.
November ‘radio hour’ digs into child care facility violations
The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at recent Maine Monitor reporting.
Three takeaways from The Monitor’s investigation into child care facilities
Providers have been cited for violations ranging from missing immunization records to dragging children across the room.
Child care providers across the state cited for numerous safety violations
A Monitor/CPI analysis of thousands of inspection records found years of safety violations at child care providers across the state.
