Illegally Unlicensed Daycares that Advertise

[craftymissbeth]

I just recently went through the training, home updating, home inspecting, background checking, etc. to become licensed. The whole shebang. It wasn't cheap. And it was a lot of work.

Now I'm realizing just how many illegally unlicensed home daycares there are in my area. All of them are advertising they offer full time care (I'm in Kansas and you cannot watch children more than 20 hours total per week without being licensed). They ADVERTISE! Most included IN their advertisement that they are unlicensed.


I just don't get it. Is there no one doing anything about these people? I worked damn hard to get where I am... just to turn around and find out that not only am I competing against established home daycares but unlicensed SAHM's who charge the same as licensed care.


Sorry to vent... it's just SO. FRUSTRATING.

/end of rant

[Patches]

I up against the same thing except around here the SAHMs tend to charge way less than the home daycares.
It is very frustrating and drives me crazy

[craftymissbeth]

I take that back, there were two on craigslist that charge more than most of the licensed home daycares and then the rest were ridiculously cheaper. Ugh, so frustrating!

[JoseyJo]

I'm in Kansas too- my licensor told me last time she was by for an inspection that they are now going through the craigslist ads and paying visits to the unlicensed daycares ::

There are still a lot of them advertising, but I don't normally see the same ones for too long. Within the last month or so there have been ads on craigslist in the childcare section explaining the law and why it is important to choose a licensed daycare. Eventually maybe it will weed them out!

[craftymissbeth]

I'm in Kansas too- my licensor told me last time she was by for an inspection that they are now going through the craigslist ads and paying visits to the unlicensed daycares ::

There are still a lot of them advertising, but I don't normally see the same ones for too long. Within the last month or so there have been ads on craigslist in the childcare section explaining the law and why it is important to choose a licensed daycare. Eventually maybe it will weed them out!

Oh thank goodness! I'm going to talk to my licensor about it too the next time I see her (which *knock on wood* won't be until March of next year). I hope they really are visiting these people... not that there's anything wrong with unlicensed daycares... it's just the fact that it's illegal, maybe, that bothers me. And that they advertise! Just openly advertising

I worked very, very hard for this and I know that this is my career and not just some random way to make a quick buck.

[melilley]

I know how you feel! I worked my butt off and spent a lot of time and money to get licensed and get my home childcare open. There are tons of unlicensed home day cares in my area and here, it's illegal to care for any unrelated children in your home for more than 4 weeks a year without being licensed. I don't think that there are enough resources for these people to be investigated and shut down.
On another note, I also think that some people honestly don't know that is illegal to care for children without a license. I wish there were some system or way to educate people on what is needed to legally care for children. One provider in my area actually put something on CL telling parents that in our state that a license in needed for providers to care for children in their homes and to make sure that the people they find for childcare are licensed and also told providers to make sure they put Licensed in their title. I don't think it worked though, there are still a ton of unlicensed providers advertising.

[Cradle2crayons]

Licensing isn't required here but what bothers me is that I see all the time in CL people here advertising FULL TIME Childcare for $45 a week.

The problem with that is that the rate above is WELL below state reimbursement.

Actually, MS only reimburses anywhere max of $59 a week and that's for an infant on tier one. It takes more than that to feed, provide ac and everything else for a child in a week. That's insane.

I charge more than state pays, I think that's what most do. I can't imagine LOSING money every week I cared for a child.

So, its not licensing at bothers me here since its not required. It's those fly by night babysitters charging $40 or $45 a week for full time care. That's less than a dollar an hour.

[melilley]

Licensing isn't required here but what bothers me is that I see all the time in CL people here advertising FULL TIME Childcare for $45 a week.

The problem with that is that the rate above is WELL below state reimbursement.

Actually, MS only reimburses anywhere max of $59 a week and that's for an infant on tier one. It takes more than that to feed, provide ac and everything else for a child in a week. That's insane.

I charge more than state pays, I think that's what most do. I can't imagine LOSING money every week I cared for a child.

So, its not licensing at bothers me here since its not required. It's those fly by night babysitters charging $40 or $45 a week for full time care. That's less than a dollar an hour.

Wow, I don't get how anyone can charge $45 a week for full time care, that is insane! I wonder how they survive off of that?!

[Mister Sir Husband]

I am still awaiting my licence in NY, and my thought on this is that I'm planning on advertising that I am in fact licensed.. trained in CPR, have taken health/safety & first aid classes and am participating in the food program, etc. Is my thinking that my ad next one from someone who isn't licenced will look more appealing as a parent in my opinion would be looking for the best possible care for their children

[Cradle2crayons]

Wow, I don't get how anyone can charge $45 a week for full time care, that is insane! I wonder how they survive off of that?!

I have NO IDEA either. I added everything up related to the cost one one daycare child... I added up meals, supplies, a percentage of electricity etc. I came up with well more than that. I have no idea. Is crazy!!

[Patches]

Wow, I don't get how anyone can charge $45 a week for full time care, that is insane! I wonder how they survive off of that?!

I don't get that either. And the crazy thing is that I've seen ads on CL from parents seeking care and they say "are not rich, and are only willing to pay $50/ week" for one or 2 kids. You know that they just don't break it down and think about how much that actually is per hour.

[NeedaVaca]

Just saw this one today on my craigslist:

Need childcare asap for my 18 month old son. shift from 4pm-1am. My income is low so i'm only looking to pay $10 a day. some days I would need from 4pm-9pm. email call or text XXX

[Cradle2crayons]

I saw one today wanting a nanny for an infant... And wanted to pay $20 a day max... For someone to DRIVE to her house... And is willing to lay a little extra for them to pick up their 2 year old from "school". And maybe the occasional weekend.

What?? That won't even pay for GAS

[Sugar Magnolia]

Because your state, my state, ALL states, are not funding their licensing.agencies. Its pretty simple. State budgets dictate that the offices are understaffed, overloaded, and simply can't do their jobs. They can't keep up with inspecting licenced people, no time, staff or $$ to investigate illegal ones.

[Blackcat31]

Wow, I don't get how anyone can charge $45 a week for full time care, that is insane! I wonder how they survive off of that?!

Not everyone does child care to survive. Many providers do it to pass the time or to simply care for a child because it is something they love to do.

I have a neighbor near me who provides full time infant/toddler care for $75 per week. (The going rate for infants/toddlers here is anywhere from $150-175 per week).

This provider does this because she wants to. She LOVES babies. She also has a husband who has a fantastic job. They definitely do not "need" the money.

I think that unless you are providing care illegally, you should be able to do what you love....even if you did it for free.

I know this is a sore spot for some providers but really there are hundreds of scenarios that aren't our own so I can see how a lot of the different ones can upset others... for example, I am in this for the long haul. I am a lifer in this profession and still provide child care despite not having any of my own children at home with me.

I am sometimes offended by providers who choose to do this job simply because they have young kids of their own and when those kids go off to school, those providers plan on going back to their medical or financial or whatever other careers.... so in my eyes I could complain about those providers as they are taking kids that I could enroll.....

See what I mean? I don't really feel that way about other providers...I was just using that as an example of how many different scenarios and situations there are out there and somehow no matter what, someone is not going to be happy with all of them....kwim?

The only REAL complaint I have are providers who provide care illegally. Other than that, to each his/her own.