Not Licensed - Do I have to be??

[Unregistered]

I am currently taking care of 2-6 kids in my home. I have been doing this for 2 months. A worker from the MT dept. of public health and human services office knocked on my door today. She told me that someone complained that I am running an unlicensed daycare and that I needed to be licensed if I was going to care for more that 2 kids (including my own) under the age of 6.

I run a high quality preschool and daycare. I have no problem letting anyone in anytime to take a look and see what we are doing at any given time. I have been a sped. teacher for the last 8 years.

I have no desire to be licensed. My parents are told up front that I am not licensed and have not intention of getting licensed. They are fine with this because of the quality of care that I provide.

Am I required to be licensed??? Thanks for all your input.

[Chickenhauler]

I am currently taking care of 2-6 kids in my home. I have been doing this for 2 months. A worker from the MT dept. of public health and human services office knocked on my door today. She told me that someone complained that I am running an unlicensed daycare and that I needed to be licensed if I was going to care for more that 2 kids (including my own) under the age of 6.

I run a high quality preschool and daycare. I have no problem letting anyone in anytime to take a look and see what we are doing at any given time. I have been a sped. teacher for the last 8 years.

I have no desire to be licensed. My parents are told up front that I am not licensed and have not intention of getting licensed. They are fine with this because of the quality of care that I provide.

Am I required to be licensed??? Thanks for all your input.

You already know the answer to that question.

I needed to be licensed if I was going to care for more that 2 kids (including my own) under the age of 6.

Social workers can't just make up the rules as they go, they're written down in black and white.

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

The answer is obvious...if the state worker said you need to be licensed if you care for more than 2 children including your own under 6, than you need to be licensed. What's not to understand?

What happened when the state worker was there? Did you tell her you are running a daycare? Did you get fined?

Here in NY you have to be licensed if you care for more than 2 unrelitives, not including your own...if you are caught unlicensed and watching more than 2, you can be fined up to $500 per day!

I know being licensed does not effect the quality of childcare, but state rules are state rules and if you get caught it can cost you some hefty fines.

[Daycare Mommy]

Yep. You either need to cut back to 2 kids at a time or get licensed. Too late to try to lay low and be an unlicensed illegal daycare. They know you are operating and they'll be back. I don't know your local laws, but I do know that here they can give you some very steep fines ($500 per day ) Now, I'm not a fan of licensing, but with a limit of 2 kids it doesn't leave you much choice if you want to make any money at this. Good luck making your decision.

[originalkat]

Unfortunately, it doesnt matter the quality of care you provide or if all the parents are aware of you not being licensed. You have to follow the laws and regulations in your state. She told you what they are and now you must comply or stop providing care...we ALL have to follow the rules.

[momofboys]

I am currently taking care of 2-6 kids in my home. I have been doing this for 2 months. A worker from the MT dept. of public health and human services office knocked on my door today. She told me that someone complained that I am running an unlicensed daycare and that I needed to be licensed if I was going to care for more that 2 kids (including my own) under the age of 6.

I run a high quality preschool and daycare. I have no problem letting anyone in anytime to take a look and see what we are doing at any given time. I have been a sped. teacher for the last 8 years.

I have no desire to be licensed. My parents are told up front that I am not licensed and have not intention of getting licensed. They are fine with this because of the quality of care that I provide.

Am I required to be licensed??? Thanks for all your input.

Sorry, it sounds like you need to be. Or at least your state requires you to be. In my state (Ohio) we do not have to be licensed. I have a Bachelor's degree & feel that I provide a very good program & I'm not licensed. I hope you are able to do what is necessary to get licensed but personally if it were me I would not be willing to do it so I'd likely stop providing care. My question though is if the parents are happy with the care it irks me that the state can come in & say, "Yes, you need to be licensed". . . I guess that is my issue. Parents coming to you, requesting your care & being fine with no licensing. Too much government IMO!

[mac60]

sorry, it sounds like you need to be. Or at least your state requires you to be. In my state (ohio) we do not have to be licensed. I have a bachelor's degree & feel that i provide a very good program & i'm not licensed. I hope you are able to do what is necessary to get licensed but personally if it were me i would not be willing to do it so i'd likely stop providing care. My question though is if the parents are happy with the care it irks me that the state can come in & say, "yes, you need to be licensed". . . I guess that is my issue. Parents coming to you, requesting your care & being fine with no licensing. Too much government imo!

amen to this.

[originalkat]

amen to this.

I agree as well! In Kansas they are considering getting rid of the Registered option (what I am) which means I can care for up to 6 kids including my own, fill out some forms/background check each year and pay a fee but they dont come out to the house unless someone complains. They might start a Licensed only thing...I hope I can be grandfathered in if this ends up happening but I doubt it. I would go ahead and get licensed anyway though because I would rather work for myself than someone else.

[mac60]

So if you get licensed, will they still be knocking at your doors? If they still come and check on you, you really arn't working for yourself anymore.

[jen]

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still working for myself!!!

There are regulations to EVERY business. Look at it this way... Say tomorrow you go out and buy a restaurant. The Department of Health will set standards as to how the food must be kept, the sanitary conditions of the kitchen, etc. They will pop in now and then to ensure that you are maintaining safety standards...

You wouldn't think of saying that the Department of Health is now the employer would you?

Same deal for daycare!

[originalkat]

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still working for myself!!!

There are regulations to EVERY business. Look at it this way... Say tomorrow you go out and buy a restaurant. The Department of Health will set standards as to how the food must be kept, the sanitary conditions of the kitchen, etc. They will pop in now and then to ensure that you are maintaining safety standards...

You wouldn't think of saying that the Department of Health is now the employer would you?

Same deal for daycare!

Yes..that is exactly what i was going to say. Regulated providers work for themselves (we set our own rules, policies, hours, pay, time off etc).

Government regulations invade almost every facet of our lives. I think that with home daycare people get touchy because our business is in our HOMES...the most private part of anyone's life. And daycare is kind of a "cottage industry" that before regulations was commonplace in every community. Now that women in the workforce is so prevelent in our societies, caring for children has become a business. Anytime something gets big, regulation starts to creep in.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for your input. I printed out over 30 pages I need to fill out in order to be licensed. All of which have to be signed in-front of a notary. I have to have my insurance agent fill out the forms saying that I have the proper insurance. (I can't just fill it out and give them my policy number I have to find time to go into his office) I have to arrange a fire inspection (I babysit the fire marshals 2 girls, and so he can't be the one to do the inspection there's irony for ya). I have to provide all of my immunization records and my husbands, run background checks in the state of Wyoming and Mt. (I am a certified teacher in both states so have passed multiple checks for both states, non of which count and my husband is a pastor and has also passed multiple checks which also do not count. I get to pay for new ones.) I have to provide my lesson plans and meals schedules. etc, etc, etc. I quit teaching because of all the politics that go long with special ed. ie. AYP, NCLB, and on and on. I am beginning to think, I have been plopped down in the middle of it again. GGRRR!!!

[gbcc]

I feel like I work for the state but without all the benefits. I can't decide what furniture I want, what hours I work, where I want to place my furniture ect. The government here in my state regulates the amount of hours I am allowed to work which I find absurd. My home has to look like a child care center and the only aspect of my home is I'm allowed to have family pictures as long as they are hung a certain way and I can have furniture in my living room.

They come during nap time for some stupid reason and this wakes the children up. If you request they come earlier/later they think it's because you are up to something during those hours or over numbers for those hours. Then you have to stop what you are doing and show them releases and registrations for each child which is required. Today they came and gave me a lecture because 4 year old children were napping. I had to show releases that they were allowed to nap and they called the parents to make sure they had requested the 4 year olds sleep. They didn't think it was appropriate for that age child to nap.

If I didn't have my own child to worry about I would provide illegal child care under the radar. JMO and just being honest. I have 2 friends that provide illegal care and they have less stress and have wonderful programs.

[misol]

i feel like i work for the state but without all the benefits. I can't decide what furniture i want, what hours i work, where i want to place my furniture ect. The government here in my state regulates the amount of hours i am allowed to work which i find absurd. My home has to look like a child care center and the only aspect of my home is i'm allowed to have family pictures as long as they are hung a certain way and i can have furniture in my living room.

They come during nap time for some stupid reason and this wakes the children up. If you request they come earlier/later they think it's because you are up to something during those hours or over numbers for those hours. Then you have to stop what you are doing and show them releases and registrations for each child which is required. Today they came and gave me a lecture because 4 year old children were napping. I had to show releases that they were allowed to nap and they called the parents to make sure they had requested the 4 year olds sleep. They didn't think it was appropriate for that age child to nap.

If i didn't have my own child to worry about i would provide illegal child care under the radar. Jmo and just being honest. I have 2 friends that provide illegal care and they have less stress and have wonderful programs.

wow!!!!!!!!

[melskids]

I feel like I work for the state but without all the benefits. I can't decide what furniture I want, what hours I work, where I want to place my furniture ect. The government here in my state regulates the amount of hours I am allowed to work which I find absurd. My home has to look like a child care center and the only aspect of my home is I'm allowed to have family pictures as long as they are hung a certain way and I can have furniture in my living room.

They come during nap time for some stupid reason and this wakes the children up. If you request they come earlier/later they think it's because you are up to something during those hours or over numbers for those hours. Then you have to stop what you are doing and show them releases and registrations for each child which is required. Today they came and gave me a lecture because 4 year old children were napping. I had to show releases that they were allowed to nap and they called the parents to make sure they had requested the 4 year olds sleep. They didn't think it was appropriate for that age child to nap.

If I didn't have my own child to worry about I would provide illegal child care under the radar. JMO and just being honest. I have 2 friends that provide illegal care and they have less stress and have wonderful programs.

aren't you in NY? maybe i'm mistaken.....but i"m in NY and they are no where near that strict with me. you must have one heck of a licensor....