Unlicensed vs. Illegal...Mods?

[Hunni Bee]

Mods and Michael, I have a proposition for ya.

Is there any way we can make a Sticky listing each state and province (Canada) stating whether its legal or not to be unlicensed, whether you have to be registered, etc.

We are constantly cycling in and out of debates on whether illegal is okay or if unlicensed = illegal, or whether unlicensed = bad daycare, or whatever. And I think a lot of people are simply not realizing that its legal to be home unlicensed in some states, and in some other states, its not.

I just think a simple list may help...I'll personally help out.

Opinions?

[momofboys]

Mods and Michael, I have a proposition for ya.

Is there any way we can make a Sticky listing each state and province (Canada) stating whether its legal or not to be unlicensed, whether you have to be registered, etc.

We are constantly cycling in and out of debates on whether illegal is okay or if unlicensed = illegal, or whether unlicensed = bad daycare, or whatever. And I think a lot of people are simply not realizing that its legal to be home unlicensed in some states, and in some other states, its not.

I just think a simple list may help...I'll personally help out.

Opinions?

[SilverSabre25]

See my location, up there in the corner? I got tired of defending my unlicensed status so I stuck that up there

Honestly while a list seems like a good idea I think it would be a lot of work to maintain, and the majority of people are not likely to check it before jumping on someone for something. I think it's up to people to clarify when necessary for their own status, and for others to phrase things in such a way as to not be too confrontational. Does that make sense?

I understand where you are coming from though

[Leanna]

What if each member provided info for their state? I think almost every state is represented within the members...

For example, In my state, New York, you must be:
"Registered" to be a family child care program (6 children plus 2 school-agers)

"Licensed" to be a group family child care program (7-12 children)

You can be legally unlicensed (called "legally exempt" here) only if the kids you care for are related to you OR you only care for 1-2 children.

[craftymissbeth]

I love the idea! At least when the situation comes up all anyone has to do is link to the sticky.

[Unregistered]

What if each member provided info for their state? I think almost every state is represented within the members...

For example, In my state, New York, you must be:
"Registered" to be a family child care program (6 children plus 2 school-agers)

"Licensed" to be a group family child care program (7-12 children)

You can be legally unlicensed (called "legally exempt" here) only if the kids you care for are related to you OR you only care for 1-2 children.

^Georgia is the same.

Churches are exempt.

Employers running a daycare for employees kids are legally exempt as well.

[MamaBearCanada]

I don't know if this will help...

unregulated/unlicensed daycare is legal in every province in Canada. The amount of children you can watch in each age group varies but they all allow some form of unlicensed/unregulated care.

http://findingqualitychildcare.ca./i...-and-territory

[Margarete]

California you have to be licensed to run a small family child care (up to 8 kids, with 2 SA), or large with one assistant, up to 14 kids.

Exemptions include: watching one family of children in addition to family members; Running a 4 hour a week program, Co-op childcare arrangements where no money is exchanged. You could technically be over the ratio generally allowed if you are "legally exempt/ unlicensed".

So 10 family members, or co-op would be okay, but 2 children from 2 different unrelated families needs to be licensed. It's interesting how different the rules vary from state to state.

[Play Care]

At the risk of being flamed, I have never seen anyone on this board say anything about providers who are operating legally - licensed or not. :confused:

I *have* seen several threads where someone is upset about an illegal provider, only to have legally unlicensed providers take umbrage. I've never understood why:confused:

[craftymissbeth]

At the risk of being flamed, I have never seen anyone on this board say anything about providers who are operating legally - licensed or not. :confused:

I *have* seen several threads where someone is upset about an illegal provider, only to have legally unlicensed providers take umbrage. I've never understood why:confused:

^This. I have only seen a couple of people (and usually it's unregistered) who defended illegally unlicensed caregivers. I still think it would be a good sticky. Maybe there is a mod here who would like to set one up.

[Blackcat31]

^This. I have only seen a couple of people (and usually it's unregistered) who defended illegally unlicensed caregivers. I still think it would be a good sticky. Maybe there is a mod here who would like to set one up.

I have a list (somewhere) that says which states require a license, registration and/or certification but of course, can't locate it at this moment.

I will continue looking.
****************************************************
In the mean time, maybe it will be helpful if each provider lists their state's requirements here and if I can't find the list I have, I will make a new one.

So list your state in BOLD CAPITAL letters in the title line of your post and them list your state requirements.

Please check to see if your someone from your state has already listed your requirements before posting to avoid too much info.

Add info if whoever posted for your state did not include everything.

Once I have all the info, I will make a master chart/list with the state requirements listed according to state (alphabetically) and then make that list a sticky.

Sound okay to everyone?

[Hunni Bee]

I have a list (somewhere) that says which states require a license, registration and/or certification but of course, can't locate it at this moment.

I will continue looking.
****************************************************
In the mean time, maybe it will be helpful if each provider lists their state's requirements here and if I can't find the list I have, I will make a new one.

So list your state in BOLD CAPITAL letters in the title line of your post and them list your state requirements.

Please check to see if your someone from your state has already listed your requirements before posting to avoid too much info.

Add info if whoever posted for your state did not include everything.

Once I have all the info, I will make a master chart/list with the state requirements listed according to state (alphabetically) and then make that list a sticky.

Sound okay to everyone?

Yay! Exactly what I imagined, including the part about everybody posting info pertaining to their own state.

Thanks BC!!

And fwiw...I've been here 2.5 years, and I've seen some version of the discussion come up at least a dozen times. It wasn't always in an arguing way, but most times it was.

[Leanna]

New york state

What if each member provided info for their state? I think almost every state is represented within the members...

For example, In my state, New York, you must be:
"Registered" to be a family child care program (6 children plus 2 school-agers)

"Licensed" to be a group family child care program (7-12 children)

You can be legally unlicensed (called "legally exempt" here) only if the kids you care for are related to you OR you only care for 1-2 children.

Can't make the title in bold...unless I am just "duhing!"

Edited to add: You can also operate as legally unlicensed ("legally exempt") if you provide care for children less than 3 hours per day.

[Blackcat31]

Bolded title

Can't make the title in bold...unless I am just "duhing!"

It just bolds itself... LOL! :: YAH!!

[Hunni Bee]

Virginia

Home daycares are allowed up to 12 children, exclusive of providers own. There are some max age combos.

Home daycare with less than 7 kids can be legally unlicensed. If 4 or more of those children are under the age of 2, including the provider's own, the home must be either licensed or registered.

Homes with 7-12 children must be licensed, and homes with more than 12 children are considered centers and must be licensed as such. If the children all the provider's grandchildren, no license is required, even if its more than 6.

Centers must be licensed or religiously exempt.