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National chains are a growing share of the state's childcare providers, and lawmakers want regulations before they get any larger.

Young Tracks Preschool and Daycare in Steamboat Springs was shut down this month after reports of child abuse. An investigation is underway. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Steamboat Pilot editor Trevor Ballantyne and then read The Steamboat Pilot story at the link below.

Colorado has seen a recent increase in childcare centers that are backed by private equity firms. And some lawmakers are concerned that these for-profit businesses prioritize profit ahead of caring for kids. We’ll hear more about a possible solution that would lay out new rules for these childcare centers, today on In The NoCo.

Dozens of child care centers on the Front Range are associated with or owned by private equity or venture capital firms. That's making some wonder whether these types of centers are helping or hurting the state's preschool system.

The issue is a lack of funds in the state’s childcare subsidy program. The program helps low-income families pay for childcare so they can work or attend school. However, it's facing a major budget crunch, and there’s no certainty that more funding will arrive to support it.

A controversial Colorado law states if a child protection caseworker gets caught falsifying records or lying about checking on children in one county, that person can still get a job in another county. The law further states that a new employer does not have to know about past bad behavior if there is no criminal case against that individual. Some childcare advocates are asking for a change. The Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to discuss her story.

The rising cost of childcare is a nationwide issue and parents in Northern Colorado are feeling it. Today on In The NoCo, we explore why this essential service comes with such a high price tag.

At the core of the childcare crisis is a lack of workers. It’s a tough job and the pay doesn’t always reflect that, which makes it hard to find staff. Today on In The NoCo, we visit with a nonprofit provider that serves low- and middle-income families to see how it’s trying to address the shortage.

Childcare in Northern Colorado is hard to find and there are several factors at play intensifying the shortage here. Today on In The NoCo, we get a better grasp on how the crisis affects families and communities.

The headlines started appearing in July and August: A child care catastrophe was looming.Nearly 1,100 Colorado child care programs would shutter and 83,000 young children in the state would lose care after federal COVID aid expired in September, according to projections from a national think tank.