Not My Business, BUT....

[Preschool/daycare teacher]

In my state it is legal to have an unlicensed daycare with up to 5 children, but it really bothers me that so many providers have a lot more than 5 children and still do it unlicensed. I know one lady in particular who has an unlicensed daycare. I wanted some advice, so I e-mailed her (I knew her before I even knew she ran a daycare, so thought someone I know already would be a good on to answer my questions). Instead of giving advice she got all defensive and said she's never had anyone question her daycare and that she has police officers children there and it's fine, etc etc. Well I soon found out why she got so defensive when I wasn't even questioning her (like I said all I wanted was advice). She told me she has 8 children ages 10 months to 4 years old on her busiest days of the week, plus "several" school age children after school. I also know she has three of her own school age children. I was floored. How can she get by with THAT many children everyday and not be licensed? It's like everyone just looks the other way. She said, "the parents all know I'm not licensed, but they're okay with it. I even have a county police officer's child, a state police officer's child, and a child of a CPS agent, and they don't care either, so I know it's okay". I wanted to say, "That doesn't make it legal!" But I kept my mouth closed.
So instead of answering any of my questions, she just went off and was all denfensive, and then when I assured her the purpose of my writing to her was NOT to question her, she started bragging about how many children she has and how busy she is, etc.

[Happy Hearts]

I have reported two illegal daycares. As far as I know, one of them was shut down the next day. Not sure of the other one. I had no problem, guilt, fear, qualms or anxiety AT ALL about reporting them.

[missjenny]

I NEVER advertised that I was licensed or not licensed. Why? Because many parents here think "licensed" means expensive. So I just didn't tell them I was. Now, when they got to the point of interviewing/pricing, THEN and only then did I tell them BTW I'm licensed. I don't think a CL ad really proves anything.

In my state it is illegal to advertise unless you have a license and you must put your license number in the Ad. Though I don't think they really enforce it in my area. At least it doesn't seem like it.

What bothers me is that in my area I see a lot of SAHMs charging like 15 to 20 a day. And some teenagers (also 15 to 20 a day) too saying they will watch kids in their home due to transportation issues. When I baby sat I charged 8$ an hour and I followed the rules which meant not watching the children of more then one family in my home. And when I had transportation issues I rode a bike.