First Ever Unannounced Visit From The State!

[nanglgrl]

I had my first unannounced inspection today at 11:00 am, it was horrible. The lady came and we were in the back yard, the kids were playing and I was doing paperwork. Of course the kids were dirty, unless they fall in mud I don't clean them up until they eat. One child was wearing a diaper and a tshirt because his pants kept falling off, the diaper looked saggy and she remarked "it looks like he has a full diaper" he in fact didn't have a full diaper (it wasn't even wet) but it did look saggy because the diapers are a tad large on him and he had been going down the slide etc. I changed him to appease her but was (I guess visibly) annoyed that she came right before lunch, now we had to have lunch an hour later than normal. I guess I could have done that with her here but it would have been hard.
I was annoyed, but mostly at myself (which I told her) because we remodeled the basement and recently moved down there and it was currently a mess. There were a few things I still needed to do but no violations until last weekend. Last weekend I was down there finishing up painting and some other things and decided to just leave everything out because I was going to finish up this weekend and we spend all day (except nap) outside right now. In fact I think there was only one day this entire summer that we weren't outside. So now there were violations even though it was obvious we haven't used that space this week.
I wasn't mad at her (it seemed she took it that way) just off balance because I hate (and I really mean hate) surprises. I don't like unannounced visitors period. Heck, Brad Pitt could come to my door unannounced and I would be annoyed. I don't know why, it probably has something to do with control issues because my childhood was so chaotic.
Anyway, I follow the rules, the wanted a pool fence for above ground pools so I spent over a grand making it happen...I even had a list that I made yesterday with the little things I needed to do to be back up to regulations. My fire alarm was not hanging at the top of the stairs, the screw for the alarm was there and the alarm itself was on a table at the bottom of the stairs but I had just finished painting the stair area so it was not hanging on the wall. It was little things like that ...things that are obviously not done because the end result is I will have a much nicer daycare but a remodel doesn't happen over a weekend! I guess I shouldn't be too upset, I get 55 days to fix the things that were going to be done next week regardless but I hate not having it done when they come and then being looked at like I'm not a great provider.

[Blackcat31]

Aw, I am sorry that is all worked out that way. At least you now know what kinds of things she looks for when she does these inspections.

Hoping things won't seem so bad tomorrow.

[nanglgrl]

Thanks Blackcat. Actually I knew all of the things that had to be done and even had a little list that I showed her (it had all of the things on it that she saw plus a few things) but there were things like the emergency plan not being on the door (we just painted the door) so it was sitting on the floor and one of the fire alarms not hanging up because we had just painted that wall but you could clearly see the screw for it in the wall and it was sitting nearby. It was all just things that unfortunately going to happen when you do a major remodel and they show up on just the right day. I guess her attitude is what was the most upsetting. The good thing is that I will be done soon and I can post pictures!

[Countrygal]

So sorry for your awful day and experience! The licensor can make all the difference, can't they. Some seem to have the "I'm gonna close down as many as I can" attitude and some seem to have the "I'm going to help as long as they want to improve" attitude. I'm so sorry yours was more of the first than the second. It really can make a huge difference!

Hope things work out well and things get back to normal and "right" for you.

In our state we need to notify of any remodeling or construction, when started and when completed. I'm sure things would have been better if you hadn't been working on remodeling.

Maybe you can relax and enjoy the upcoming holiday! {{{HUGS}}}

[nanglgrl]

Thanks you guys! Actually my plan for the three day weekend is to finish up the basement and start my web page, those things are fun for me but probably not much of a vacation. Lol.
At least it was all small things that were obviously amiss because of construction and nothing major. The main floor that we are using until the basement is done was clean and safe and the only thing it was missing was my registration certificate which was hanging downstairs the emergency plan on my front door which the kids ripped off and I didn't rehang because it had to be redone since the plan changes when we move downstairs for good. There wa also stuff to close to the furnace because of the remodel. It could have been worse. I have a great group of parents and kids, soon I will have the space I've been dreaming about for years and the sun is shining!

[WImom]

I know how you feel. We are remodeling too and my front entry door doesn't have the trim back up and I had my yearly surprise visit and got written up for it because the drywall is showing without the trim there and kids "could" pick at it.

Yeah, my kids don't care about the doorway, they have enough to do. But I also think she had to write me up on something since she hasn't in the past and I'm sure it would be a red flag for me not to have any violations again.

I guess I should be happy that's all I had BUT my no violations streak is over.

I hate surprise visits too, daycare or not. I just like to know who is coming to my house.

[Countrygal]

I know how you feel. We are remodeling too and my front entry door doesn't have the trim back up and I had my yearly surprise visit and got written up for it because the drywall is showing without the trim there and kids "could" pick at it.

Yeah, my kids don't care about the doorway, they have enough to do. But I also think she had to write me up on something since she hasn't in the past and I'm sure it would be a red flag for me not to have any violations again.

I guess I should be happy that's all I had BUT my no violations streak is over.

I hate surprise visits too, daycare or not. I just like to know who is coming to my house.

Oh, me too!!!!! I don't care if it's a friend - I much prefer a call!

[nanglgrl]

The funny thing is even if they called 5 minutes they arrived I would be much happier. It would just give me a second to get into the frame of mind of having to deal with an other adult.

[Lynnmom]

Basement daycare

I hope for your sake your basement meets the criteria need..7 ft or above ceilings. egress window? I had to remodel mine.

[nanglgrl]

I hope for your sake your basement meets the criteria need..7 ft or above ceilings. egress window? I had to remodel mine.

I'm in Iowa. The only thing they require is that if we have more than 6 children present we have to have two direct exits from the basement. If an egress window is one of the exits it has to meet specific measurements and have permanent steps inside leading up to it.

Luckily though we have 9ft. walls in the basement and my husband got the egress done free through his workplace. Iowa has some rules that are a little silly (is anyone else required to have a landline?) but there are only a few ridiculous ones, reading through threads I guess I should just be happy we only have a few,