City Council discusses zoning changes to aid child care centers

The City Council decided to table a proposal for zoning ordinance amendments that would have revamped the rules for home-based child care centers.

The Massachusetts Area Planning Council, the city’s Planning and Development Department and an Advisory Committee have been working on zoning changes they believe will bring a range of benefits to the city. Increasing the opportunities to launch home-based childcare centers would increase the access Revere families have to local childcare and allow more parents to enter the workforce. It would generate opportunities for residents to start home-based businesses and for children it would improve development and school readiness. But the changes are large and there are a lot of moving parts to the proposal.

According to Ward 3 City Councillor Anthony Cogliandro, who said he was ready to vote in favor of the ordinance, other councillors felt they needed more information.

The major changes included in the ordinance are an increase in the maximum number of children at one center from four to 10. Family-based child care centers with six or fewer children would be allowed by right and no longer need a special permit. Family child care centers with seven or more children will also be allowed by right if they have an approved family child care assistant. Currently child care centers are allowed in 12 of the city’s 18 zones with a special permit. According to advocates of the proposal, the changes would open 294 more seats for children in need to childcare.

There will still be a long list of requirements for childcare providers, including state licensing and certification, registration with the Department of Early Education and Care, early education and care training and professional development.

Childcare, if one can find it, can crush family finances. The average annual cost of infant care in Revere is $1,742, while care for a four-year-old child runs around $1,258. The Revere Childcare ordinance will increase access to childcare and possibly lower costs for families.