Meeting Public Comments

Garrett Ross [Ottumwa Family YMCA]

I am writing in support of HSB 604 and its intent to allow qualified communitybased early childhood providers to directly participate in Iowas statewide voluntary preschool program for fouryearolds.This legislation represents a practical, Iowabased solution that strengthens parent choice, local control, and access to early education, particularly in rural and small communities where school districts may be unable or unwilling to offer preschool options.Communitybased providersincluding child care centers, nonprofits, faithbased organizations, and familyowned programshave long served Iowa families and employers. Since the implementation of the statewide preschool program, many of these providers have experienced significant revenue loss despite continuing to meet local workforce and family needs. Allowing these providers to participate directly in the program helps stabilize existing small businesses while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services.HSB 604 promotes efficient use of taxpayer dollars by leveraging infrastructure that already exists in communities rather than requiring additional public facilities, staffing, or transportation costs. This approach respects fiscal responsibility while maximizing return on investment for early childhood outcomes.Importantly, this bill does not mandate participation or replace schoolbased preschool. Instead, it expands options, empowering families to choose settings that best meet their childs needs while encouraging healthy competition and innovation at the local level.For rural Iowa especially, communitybased providers are often the only viable option for early childhood education. This legislation ensures that families are not left behind simply because of geography or district capacity limitations.HSB 604 supports working families, small businesses, and community solutions while preserving local decisionmaking. I respectfully encourage lawmakers to advance this bill as a commonsense step toward a more flexible, efficient, and familyfocused preschool system in Iowa.Thank you for your consideration and continued commitment to Iowas children and communities.