Conversation with My Licensing Agent

[LK5kids]

I'm sorry but I am not leaving a note. That's like saying to anyone who comes to the door "I'm not here, take what you want!" or "I'll be back later with a bunch of kids in tow." It is a HOME daycare and the state needs to remember that as well. I did agree to let them in if they drop by but I didn't agree to be home everyday all day on the off chance they do!


Part of the reason I do home daycare is so I can be my own boss, I just refuse to report my every movement to the state.

I know....I thought the same thing. I'm in a separate house, so there isn't anything of value .......just toys, 2 porta-cribs..that's about it. Well, my I-pad and my new stainless dishwasher! They better not run off with that. I really didn't want to leave my Cell ph.# either. Thought the state should have that available!

[Laurel]

NO WAY I'd leave a note. Like someone else said that is as good as saying "Please come rob my home."

That said, I know what month my 'unannounced' inspection is in and one month she was late and it was going into the next month. I was tired of not feeling like I could take the kiddies to the park or for a walk so I called her. I politely said that I wanted to take the children to the park but didn't want her to drive out here for nothing so I'd give her my cell and she could call when she was on the way and we'd come back. She was very nice and asked what time we went. I told her the morning and so she said she wouldn't come before 11 a.m. and that was perfect because we usually got back at 11:00.

If I knew I wasn't working one day a week, I'd always call to let them know. Or if I was taking a vacation in the month she was supposed to come I'd call.

Laurel

[Heidi]

In Utah, they won't inspect unless you have kids. They understand we need our days off and privacy.

Many years ago, I did daycare on a military base in Oklahoma. They tried to tell us we had to call and let licensing know if we left the house, so they wouldn't make a trip and find us gone.

We balked at that as a group. We were being told "It's your business. You can it anyhow you wish as long as you meet regs".

On the other hand we were being told we couldn't even set foot outside our homes without notifying licensing. Which meant if you couldn't reach your licensor....you couldn't leave your own home!!!

So we decided to prove a point. Every provider on the base called the licensor (only one on the base) for EVERYTHING. Going outside to play? Called her. Going to the park? Called her. Errand? Called her. Everyone left early? Called her.

It took about three days before they decided we didn't need to call and if we missed an inspection, we missed it. Better luck next time. ::::

I wish our providers were more together. The official early childhood organizations don't seem to want to make waves. The only one that will is the provider's union (part of the larger AFSCME), but so many providers refuse to join the union because they don't want to pay the $25 per month, or they don't believe the union will help us. I'm not particularly pro-union (that's a whole other topic), but here anyway, they are the only ones "on our side". They are just not powerful enough to actually make much of a dent.

So, if a few providers tried what you did, the state would probably find a way to give payback.

I haven't had any problems whatsoever with licensing. My licensers have all been pretty great. By the book, but polite and professional. DCF just doesn't mess around; and would be very short tempered if they thought someone was messing with them.

[Blackcat31]

I didn't say she was illegally doing anything? I was just clarifying that they do have the right to say she needs to make up her mind on how she's operating her daycare. If she's going to be exempt and not want to get up for an 8am inspection than don't maintain licensure. Otherwise, you agree to open your doors for inspection. She was home and just didn't want to get up because she was tired and she didn't have kids there. My point is it doesn't work that way. You can't say I am now exempt because I have 1 kid and don't have to be available for inspections on my day off. It ****s but it's true. Bottom line is she has missed 2 unannounced visits and it doesn't matter why to licensing.

Ahh, sorry. I misread, read too quickly and failed to comprehend.....

I see what you are saying now...

NO WAY I'd leave a note. Like someone else said that is as good as saying "Please come rob my home."

I guess I never thought about that. I live in a community that that thought just never crossed my mind but I can see how for a majority of people, that is a very valid reason to not pin a note to the door.

[blandino]

In Utah, they won't inspect unless you have kids. They understand we need our days off and privacy.

Many years ago, I did daycare on a military base in Oklahoma. They tried to tell us we had to call and let licensing know if we left the house, so they wouldn't make a trip and find us gone.

We balked at that as a group. We were being told "It's your business. You can it anyhow you wish as long as you meet regs".

On the other hand we were being told we couldn't even set foot outside our homes without notifying licensing. Which meant if you couldn't reach your licensor....you couldn't leave your own home!!!

So we decided to prove a point. Every provider on the base called the licensor (only one on the base) for EVERYTHING. Going outside to play? Called her. Going to the park? Called her. Errand? Called her. Everyone left early? Called her.

It took about three days before they decided we didn't need to call and if we missed an inspection, we missed it. Better luck next time. ::::

I can promise you OKDHS hasn't changed very much since then.

We also have to notify if we won't be home. In OP's case, of I were closed every Tuesday, I would just need to update that with my licensor. She keeps a tab of what days & hours each provider is open, so that they can come during hours of operation.

[Unregistered]

But that bolded part is untrue. You cannot operate a license-exempt daycare while Licensed. By being licensed you agree to random drop-in visits by a state worker. If you're license-exempt you don't have to agree to that and aren't regulated by the state. You have to give up your license and have your Trustline transferred to license-exempt status to not worry about visits so she is right by saying she needs to make up her mind. Even if you're only watching 1 child, as a licensed provider, you have to be following the rules for a licensed provider and be available for drop-in visits. Do you have to spend every waking moment at home waiting? No! But you need to leave a note or something if you're out.

Sure you agree to random visits. You don't agree you are going to be home. That's the RISK of an unannounced visit. I did field trips CONSTANTLY. I tried to leave a note but sometimes I didn't. I ALWAYS called our food lady, but not the state. The food lady was one thing because they would audit to make sure I was really feeding the kids at the right times. Sometimes, if we went to a picnic, she'd meet us there. As long as I had prepped the food at home myself and it was not fast food, I could still claim it. I never called the state because honestly, if they can't tell me when they're coming, and they never answer the phone anyway, it is a waste of time. But the note does save your ass. I used to date them and place a time on them when it was left and time when I'd be back. Never once did I get any card or notice a visit was happening or a complaint that I was not there.

[proudmommyofthree]

I'm sorry but I am not leaving a note. That's like saying to anyone who comes to the door "I'm not here, take what you want!" or "I'll be back later with a bunch of kids in tow." It is a HOME daycare and the state needs to remember that as well. I did agree to let them in if they drop by but I didn't agree to be home everyday all day on the off chance they do!


Part of the reason I do home daycare is so I can be my own boss, I just refuse to report my every movement to the state.

My thoughts exactly!!

[mom2many]

I personally understand her frustration, but in CA there are NO regs saying you need to always be "home" Mon - Fri 7-6...or whatever your normal operating hours are.

Geez, I used to take field trips and do park days all of the time. I had licensing leave their card on my door once, when I was gone and one time she caught me just as I was headed out to pick up S/A kids in the afternoon. She simply waited.

We are allowed to close for sick days, personal days and vacations! I would NEVER leave a note on my door saying, "I am gone!" Are you kidding?!?!?! We have had numerous robberies in plain daylight lately in my neighborhood and that is utterly absurd for licensing to request a provider do that. An unannounced can happen "any" time! I've had them anywhere from 3 years and 4 months to almost exactly 3 years apart. This is way too much leeway of knowing when to expect them.

I have never had a licensing visit on my day off, but I did have my food program rep come by for an unannounced and she graciously said she would return the following week when I was not on vacation.

This individual sounds like she needs an attitude adjustment. I would be on the phone with her supervisor and explaining what transpired. This would not ever fly!

[countrymom]

I'm so glad that i don't have to be licensed

[AmyLeigh]

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. I don't see how licensing can get worked up over 2 missed visits in a 3 year time period, KWIM? Between vacation, sick, personal time off, outings, etc., it's bound to happen. Oh well, better luck next time.

Guess I better go over my paperwork with a fine toothed comb now, huh?

[Laurel]

I personally understand her frustration, but in CA there are NO regs saying you need to always be "home" Mon - Fri 7-6...or whatever your normal operating hours are.

Geez, I used to take field trips and do park days all of the time. I had licensing leave their card on my door once, when I was gone and one time she caught me just as I was headed out to pick up S/A kids in the afternoon. She simply waited.

We are allowed to close for sick days, personal days and vacations! I would NEVER leave a note on my door saying, "I am gone!" Are you kidding?!?!?! We have had numerous robberies in plain daylight lately in my neighborhood and that is utterly absurd for licensing to request a provider do that. An unannounced can happen "any" time! I've had them anywhere from 3 years and 4 months to almost exactly 3 years apart. This is way too much leeway of knowing when to expect them.

I have never had a licensing visit on my day off, but I did have my food program rep come by for an unannounced and she graciously said she would return the following week when I was not on vacation.

This individual sounds like she needs an attitude adjustment. I would be on the phone with her supervisor and explaining what transpired. This would not ever fly!

Wow, ours are every four months and one of them is a relicensing visit. We are relicensed every year. We know the month though just not the day.

One time I had taken the day off to get a Colonoscopy. She came soon after I got back and my husband answered the door. He told her I had taken the day off and why. She just asked if I had any children there and I didn't, of course. So she just said "Tell her I hope she feels better soon" and she left. Good thing as the paper you get after the procedure says you should not sign anything because of just having had anaesthesia. I wasn't legally 'with it' but actually I was fine.

Laurel

[Play Care]

Really? Wow. I get the reasoning behind it but I can't imagine having to inform licensing every time we go for a walk or to the playground!

I agree. I've had my licensor show up a couple of times when I either wasn't here or was closed. IMO that's the risk they take with drop in visits. I am also NOT leaving a note on my door. If there is NO reg stating that the provider needs to let the licensing agent know they are going to be closed/away from home, then IMO the licensor has no leg to stand on and has no right to tell the provider they need to make a decision about their business.
Thankfully in my state if I'm not caring for children, I don't have to let the licensor in to inspect. They know our houses are not going to be day care ready if we are on vacation or off sick.

[Heidi]

Here is what our licensing manual says:

(2) INSPECTION. Pursuant to s. 48.73, Stats., the department may visit and inspect any family
child care center at any time during licensed hours of operation. A department licensing
representative shall have unrestricted access to the premises identified in the license, including access
to children served and staff and child records and any other materials or other individuals having
information on the family child care center’s compliance with this chapter.

So, by not being home or available during licensed hours, this is what they will cite us for. I really think they only actually cite you if they suspect there is something shady going on. Hiding children because one has more, billing the state for kids who don't really attend, etc.

[craftymissbeth]

Here is what our licensing manual says:

(2) INSPECTION. Pursuant to s. 48.73, Stats., the department may visit and inspect any family
child care center at any time during licensed hours of operation. A department licensing
representative shall have unrestricted access to the premises identified in the license, including access
to children served and staff and child records and any other materials or other individuals having
information on the family child care center’s compliance with this chapter.

So, by not being home or available during licensed hours, this is what they will cite us for. I really think they only actually cite you if they suspect there is something shady going on. Hiding children because one has more, billing the state for kids who don't really attend, etc.

Are licensed hours your business hours or when licensing is open and available to inspect?

[mom2many]

My last unannounced licensing visit came just 3 days after my daughter's wedding in July of 2012. I was due for a visit by the end of August (since they are supposed to come out every 3 years)

I had closed Wed, Thurs and Friday to prepare for her wedding. We were having it at our home and expecting 150 people, so it was a huge big deal! I was doing all of the food myself and had many friends and family helping in the kitchen Thurs and Fri. If licensing would have showed up, I can guarantee my home was not up to "daycare standards" and I would have told them the circumstances and I'm pretty sure they would have understood and come back when I was back open. In 27 years, I have never heard of a LPA insisting on a site visit when a provider is closed.

When I reopened on Monday, I made sure everything was back in order and when licensing showed up on Wed, everything was 100% in compliance.

OP, I hope when she does return for your inspection, she will be reasonable and not give you a bad time for the fact that she had to make several trips out to your home.