July 24, 2025 By CDHD IdahoSTARS supports providers in state licensing transition On March 27, 2025, Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 243 into law, significantly revising Idaho’s child care licensing structure. One of the key changes the bill introduced was requiring all child care programs to be licensed by the state. This eliminated the option for city-level licensing. With more than 350 child care programs operating with city licenses, this new law created a significant need for support to ensure minimal disruption to child care services across the state. IdahoSTARS, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, stepped up with a 90-day transition effort focused exclusively on getting these programs licensed. IdahoSTARS staff helped each program collect and submit all required information. They also fielded questions and requests for more information surrounding the new licensing structure. Thanks to the IdahoSTARS team, including those in our regional offices across Idaho, 100% of currently operating facilities successfully applied for their state license by June 26. That’s four days ahead of the July 1 deadline. As of July 23, 90% of those programs received their state license. This monumental effort is just one example of how IdahoSTARS is a crucial support for ensuring quality child care is available to families in Idaho. In fact, licensing is just one area of support offered for child care providers and families. The Project also offers information and resources around developmental screening, health and safety, Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) participation, inclusive child care, and professional development. This includes everything from scholarships to individualized coaching for providers looking to build their skillset. Families can also use the IdahoSTARS website to search for providers in their area to review and choose suitable programs for their needs. This online search function includes provider details, health and safety information and incident reports. For more information about IdahoSTARS or Idaho child care licensing, visit the IdahoSTARS website.