Not My Business, BUT....

[rmc20021]

I know it's really not my business...yet it is. I just checked CL as I was going to renew my ad and saw a local ad for a 31 yo mom who has decided to stay home with her kids and start her own daycare and she went on to say she is in the process of buying more toys etc. And she is going to be providing care 24/7.

Never mentioned ANYTHING about being licensed...which is a state requirement. It just infuriates me that people think it is ok to 'open' daycares in their homes in states where it is illegal to do so and think they can just go about running a business without having to follow the same guidelines as the ones who have to fork out money and take training and be under the scrutiny of the licensing laws.

In states where it is legal to do so, that's different, but when there is a law that states otherwise, why do these people think it's ok to break the laws and be allowed to care for children.

And this isn't about who can provide better care, licensed or unlicensed...it's about the LAW and people willing to break the law. If they break the law in this area, what other ways are they willing to break the laws?

[daycare]

I see it everyday on CL. A lot of people don't know the laws, but I hate it too. Especially when you see an add for 24 day care 7 days a week $100. When the going rate in our area is about $250 a week for 5 days less than 10 hours.

I just let it be. I never want to get into anyone business because I don't want them in mine. I feel that in time they will be founded out.

I have emailed a few and offered to help them, but I get no response.

It stinks but it's not my job to report it.
Now if I knew for certain that something bad was taking place there I would report it in a heartbeat.

[californiacaregiver]

licensed vs unlicensed care...

I've provided both types of care (unlicensed 1 family mind you). Bottom line in selecting an option comes to price for parents(15 yrs exp).

The sad thing about unlicensed,,,they do not have guidelines, restrictions or supervision.

It cost me 5k to get my to get my home in order for licensing this past year, plus we did most of the work ourselves to save $$.

I have my own infant again, and the only thing that is annoying (to me) is poisonous plants. I have some in my front yard, I didn't realize were bad... until recently... plus licensing walked right past them upon initial inspection.

We have dogs, cats, a pool... our neighbors have pools, we have a second story... etc.

We can try to help protect other children...but in the long run it comes down to the licensing agency to look into it. I have & will continue to report locations that violate the law... because we (Providers) are Mandated Reporters and if you don't your just as bad... if the agency doesn't look into it... who really carries the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Sorry to be rude, but... would of, could of, should of... could of changed allot in society (look at all the junk on the news people had funny feelings about & didn't say anything)

[MsLaura529]

Yeah, it's irks me some too. I see it all the time, and here in MI it is also illegal to watch kids in your home (unless they are blood related). And then there ads pop up for "Stay at home mom wanting to watch your kids for $20 a day" ... that hurts.

[CedarCreek]

I see it constantly. I always flag the crud out of their post.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I've actually gently assisted many SAHM's on local Facebook groups who announce that they will begin caring for 1-2 children soon. I make sure to comment with a link directly to my state's requirements (you don't have to be licensed, but you do have to make your intentions known to the state if you are caring/planing to care for 1-3 children on a regular basis) and let them know the options that the state provides them. It's a shame it isn't Facebook and you can't do that.

[Patches]

Drives me crazy, too. I once saw an ad for a SAHM that literally lived down the street from me and she was charging about $75 LESS PER WEEK than me

[countrymom]

happening here too. But lately its the ones that charge 20 dollars for a full day, or open 24/7 that are bugging me. If you are opened around the clock you need to charge tax to the parents.

[CedarCreek]

My neighbor across the street recently started watching children illegally. I want to call and report her so bad but she would definitely know it was me.

Its sad because she sits out in the garage and chain smokes/plays on her computer while the small boy she watches runs around the yard and street often bare foot and shirtless. And the sa kids she watches literally run the neighborhood. Dh has almost hit them a few times with his car because they are recklessly running through the streets!

Disgusting.

[snbauser]

Very common here. I see a ton of ads on CL all of the time.

[Blackcat31]

It does seem to be a very common thing in most areas.

Sometimes people aren't aware of the state laws and aren't intentionally doing anything illegal. A lot of people simply aren't aware of what is considered babysitting and what is considered child care.

I doubt a majority of them are out to undercut licensed child cares. I am sure most of them are simply trying to put food on their own tables and stay afloat in these terribly frightening economic times.

Also a majority of them fizzle out soon after jumping in...they realize the hard work that providing care actually involves.

I try not to let it bother me because honestly, the parents that don't do their research and look for a legally run child care are probably not the clients I would want in my care anyways.

Just like the families who chose a child care based solely on price....not the type of families I wish to provide care to.

[LittleD]

My neighbor across the street recently started watching children illegally. I want to call and report her so bad but she would definitely know it was me.

Its sad because she sits out in the garage and chain smokes/plays on her computer while the small boy she watches runs around the yard and street often bare foot and shirtless. And the sa kids she watches literally run the neighborhood. Dh has almost hit them a few times with his car because they are recklessly running through the streets!

Disgusting.

If they are all over like that, I don't see why she would think it was you who called. It could e anyone one of your neighbors as far as she's concerned. I'd call.

[CedarCreek]

I'm just not willing to risk it. These are the same people who's children egged my house after our kids got into a fight once and then another time took a baseball bat to my street lamp after I told them to get their trash out of my yard when they were throwing a drunken party one night.

We aren't on good terms.

[youretooloud]

It's legal to do unlicensed care her.

But, I get what you are saying. Why should all of you go through the trouble and work, and harassment to do it right, while others just happily ride your coat tails?

[melilley]

It drives me nuts too! I am in MI also and have spent a lot of time and money to get licensed and then see all these ads from the SAHM's and other people. One lady actually made a post on CL telling parents how it is illegal and they need to find a licensed provider and to put Licensed in your title line if you are. Of course I think it was flagged. And there were actually heated posts between one of the licensed providers and this unlicensed provider through CL and I just wanted to chime in, but didn't. I'm not saying an unlicensed provider couldn't provide the same quality care that I provide, but bottom line, it is ILLEGAL here to provide care in your home to any unrelated children without being licensed, for more than 4 weeks per year. I wish the state had money to investigate. I want to email these people so badly and tell them that it's illegal, but it would take all day, every day...

But with that said, I wonder how many of these people actually know the law?