The Way It Was

[allsmiles]

well aside from the hassle and the government telling me what to do with my kids and the insane cleaning regs that do NOT mesh with my beliefs about cleaning...the cost of getting licensed is a bit of a hindrance, and the two main benefits of being licensed seem to be food program and ability to take title XX (which I'm still torn about whether I want to). I'm actually working toward it; but it's a slow process for me. It's totally optional where i live.

i wish it was optional here too.. i know its necessary to ensure quality care, but i hate all the rules.. HATE ..

[Willow]

well aside from the hassle and the government telling me what to do with my kids and the insane cleaning regs that do NOT mesh with my beliefs about cleaning...the cost of getting licensed is a bit of a hindrance, and the two main benefits of being licensed seem to be food program and ability to take title XX (which I'm still torn about whether I want to). I'm actually working toward it; but it's a slow process for me. It's totally optional where i live.

You are not alone. I hate hate HATE all the required stringent cleaning routines and harsh chemicals.

I don't think they keep anyone healthier, in fact I believe in the long run they compromise kids' immune systems and make them prone to being much sicker people in general overall.


(the government being all up in my business is a biggie too. really, if I could legally keep my small group of 5-6 without being licensed there is no way I'd even consider it )

[Childminder]

You gals are lucky..the county I live in doesn't even offer a food program..

The food program is a Federal program and is not offered thru your county but thru a State sponsor. Check the links below to see if you qualify and a link will help you find a sponsor.

[Country Kids]

I get $200 for my group of 8. That's it (and I still think it's worth it!) Jealous over here!

That seems pretty low! What meals/snacks are you feeding them?

Ladies don't we all make the same amount for the meals/snacks we serve?

I get around $500 for my group of 10 and only 3 of those come full-time.

[Childminder]

Not sure where the links went? Try again…

http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp?id=2307

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cc/

[DaycareMomma]

When I first started I was on the food program and was on Tier 1 rates. Then due to restructering I ended up on Tier 2 rates and at the time I was down to 1 daycare kid, so I quit the food program. Now that my daycare is filling back up, I'm back on the food program but still on tier 2. Its horrible. There is a daycare literally 5 houses down that is on tier 1 but I'm not. I could just spit tacks with the system. I feed better food then our school does and I get a whole $1.44 for lunch?! Are you kidding me. I couldn't go to the dollar store and make a meal that cheap for the kids!

[Blackcat31]

Do any of you "stuck" on Tier 2 rates have the option of having families fill out individualized income varification forms so those kids can atleast eat on the Tier 1 rate structure?

[allsmiles]

i am tier one due to my area and i normally only claim 1 meal and 2 snacks because my kids come late mornings.. i got a lil over $400 for my 6 kids and one afterschooler.

sometimes i wonder though..if i didnt have to offer the menu that they require.. if i might spend alot less money on food?? not pressed enough YET to find out LOL

[SquirrellyMama]

If I were on the food program I'd be on Tier 2 because of income and school district. I was on it before and only got about $80 a month.

K

[allsmiles]

I thought it went based on the school district?

me too.. now they did say they had to consider my income for my daughter to be qualified on the program, but i am over income limits so i just am not allowed to claim her.

[Scout]

Having the food program *almost* makes me want to get licensed. I would get Tier 1. But the hassles of being licensed, when i don't actually *have* to be, keep making me resist. Maybe someday. I think all it would take would be a suspicion of tragedy related to home daycare and Ohio's regulations would tighten right up like other states. It's always in the back of my mind, and I do try to run things as "by the book" as possible...just in case.

I am in Ohio also & love that we can have so many kids without a license. I would love to be on a food program though...

[DaycareMomma]

I do have the option of having families fill out the income verification form, but getting my families to do so is like pulling teeth. They've all had the forms since November and as of yesterday none have filled them out.