Question for Texas providers

[Nickel]

I am currently a listed child care home and I am thinking about getting registered, but I had some questions. I did look at the licensing website and printed out a checklist regarding the application, but I had some more questions if anyone can help.

1. Other than ratios and how many children you can have, and how often you are inspected is there a difference in registered or licensed. If I am registered can I still do the food program or do I HAVE to be licensed for that?

2. Is there a checklist on how to set up my home? I've looked over the minimum requirements and I think I have everything I need, but it's a lot of information and a little overwhelming. Also, do they inspect rooms that are not used for daycare such as master bedroom, spare bedroom, dd bedroom. The children are NEVER allowed in these rooms and they are not accessed while children are here.

3. Is the initial inspection scheduled? Should I close that day so that I can focus on the inspection without the little ones under foot?

4. Has anyone gone from listed to registered? Was the process hard or long? The website says they will respond within 21 days. Does that mean I could be registered with that time, or they will contact me by then?

I'm sure I will have a lot more questions as I start the process, but my main thing is that I want to get insurance and I can't find any that will insure a listed home. If you have any other pointers for me I would really appreciate it. i am a little nervous about the whole process. I am going to go ahead and get my cpr and first aid this week (i've been putting it off because of the cost) and take my online orientation course and start on the application. Then I think I might print out the minimum requirements and just go through it piece by piece.

Thank you in advance, I really appreciate the help!!!

[allsmiles]

I am currently a listed child care home and I am thinking about getting registered, but I had some questions. I did look at the licensing website and printed out a checklist regarding the application, but I had some more questions if anyone can help.

1. Other than ratios and how many children you can have, and how often you are inspected is there a difference in registered or licensed. If I am registered can I still do the food program or do I HAVE to be licensed for that?

2. Is there a checklist on how to set up my home? I've looked over the minimum requirements and I think I have everything I need, but it's a lot of information and a little overwhelming. Also, do they inspect rooms that are not used for daycare such as master bedroom, spare bedroom, dd bedroom. The children are NEVER allowed in these rooms and they are not accessed while children are here.

3. Is the initial inspection scheduled? Should I close that day so that I can focus on the inspection without the little ones under foot?

4. Has anyone gone from listed to registered? Was the process hard or long? The website says they will respond within 21 days. Does that mean I could be registered with that time, or they will contact me by then?

I'm sure I will have a lot more questions as I start the process, but my main thing is that I want to get insurance and I can't find any that will insure a listed home. If you have any other pointers for me I would really appreciate it. i am a little nervous about the whole process. I am going to go ahead and get my cpr and first aid this week (i've been putting it off because of the cost) and take my online orientation course and start on the application. Then I think I might print out the minimum requirements and just go through it piece by piece.

Thank you in advance, I really appreciate the help!!!

i know this is old and you probably have already gotten your registration but i thought i would answer.. i am in texas and just went from listed to registered.
the ratios - .. as listed you know u could keep 3 and registered can keep 6 all dayers and 6 after schoolers, licensed can keep 12 all day. you can be on the food progam as soon as you are registered, in fact, my person came out before my initial inspection and i jus had to send her my cert when i got it. my understanding is that licensed homes get inspected more often than registered. my inspector said my next one will be in a year but i do know that if they are reported anything or have reason to "pay you a visit" they can do it more frequently.

the initial inspection is scheduled and they didnt look at any part of my home except where the kids would be (which for me was my whole downstairs area)although i read that they CAN look at other parts but rarely do. the outside play area, bathroom, your first aid kit etc. i did sit with her for the whole hour showing her around and answering her questions and her telling me expectations, but i have a sub that continued with the chidlren soo i dont know quite how that would work out.. i guess to have a project for them.. the kids i had at the time were 3 and an afterschooler so it was much easier

its not a long process.. i sent in my info and i think they contacted me for an inspection the next week or two?

the minimum standards is great guideline, as well as i would go look at the reviews of day cares on the dfps website..that was GREAT wealth of info to see what they are looking for.. my inspector said i was two steps ahead..which i should been seeing i was stressing about it for days. LOL