Coming to a Cross Roads..

[Neekie]

I would also keep the license but get rid of the 4th. I know when I moved and had to start over it took 7-9 months to get relicensed. I had to start at the beginning. If you end up needing the income you may regret not having that option available to you quickly.

I agree with all you other WI providers. I HATE all the red tape too! I got written up for forgetting to sign myself out at the end of the day one time in the 6 months she went back looking. Lost my 2 year compliant streak over that.

Getting a write for forgetting to sign yourself out six months ago is just plain ridiculous!!! They have never looked more than three weeks back on mine. Geez!!!

I do get your point about keeping a license just in case we may need it in the future and I think it is a lot harder to to get licensed now than it used be. A lot more red tape. But gee it would be so nice to be able to just get rid of it.

[WImom]

Getting a write for forgetting to sign yourself out six months ago is just plain ridiculous!!! They have never looked more than three weeks back on mine. Geez!!!

I do get your point about keeping a license just in case we may need it in the future and I think it is a lot harder to to get licensed now than it used be. A lot more red tape. But gee it would be so nice to be able to just get rid of it.

Yeah, I had them all in a binder so she was just skipping around and saw it. I now only keep a few weeks at a time available.

[WImom]

oh...another reason:

My MIL is my sub. Once she hits 240 hours, she must take have a 3-credit course in early childhood complete or I loose her as a sub.

She's 72 years old, mother of 4, grandmother of 12, and great-grandma of a couple dozen. She is NOT going back to school. So, that means I have to find someone else and "fire" the sub my kids absolutely love. "Grandma S*****". She's at about 150 hours now. I did have her take SIDS and Shaken Baby Training, and was going to pay for infant and toddler CPR when it comes around again. But, a 3 credit course?

I've wondered how they would really know how many hours my sub works (my DH) since it is so sporadic and they only look back 3 weeks on attendance. I think he is close to 50-60 since it's usually just an hour at the end of the day once a month.

[Heidi]

I've wondered how they would really know how many hours my sub works (my DH) since it is so sporadic and they only look back 3 weeks on attendance. I think he is close to 50-60 since it's usually just an hour at the end of the day once a month.

well, in theory they could ask you, and you would have to show how you document the number of hours. It's something you are expected to track.

They may usually only look at the last 3 weeks records, but they can ask for the last 3 years. They have nailed a number of providers for not having those records available. Of course, those were folks they considered suspect because they had a lot of Shares kids, and they were trying to weed out fraud. But, your licenser can ask for 3 years, and you'd be required to show it then and there.

[Blackcat31]

The ONLY trouble I can foresee if you drop your license is I am betting that ALL states will require licensing for ANY provider caring for more than one family's children.

That recommendation came from YOUR state's analysis of child care in your state from the NACCRRA.

Your state ranks 20th. Your state received a 59 out of 150 possible points.

South Dakota is ranked the worst at 52. Receiving a score of 0 out of 150

This study was done in preparation for QRIS. My licensor continues to stress that she believes ALL states will HAVE to participate in QRIS by as early as 2015.

[Heidi]

The ONLY trouble I can foresee if you drop your license is I am betting that ALL states will require licensing for ANY provider caring for more than one family's children.

That recommendation came from YOUR state's analysis of child care in your state from the NACCRRA.

Your state ranks 20th. Your state received a 59 out of 150 possible points.

South Dakota is ranked the worst at 52. Receiving a score of 0 out of 150

This study was done in preparation for QRIS. My licensor continues to stress that she believes ALL states will HAVE to participate in QRIS by as early as 2015.

Here's the thing about that, though. They can't keep up (or don't want to) with illegal providers now. How on earth will they do it if they create more "underground" providers?

I don't think the whole QRIS thing will last more than a few years. Studies will show that it was a big fat waste of money, and they'll scrap it. Well, maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.

[Blackcat31]

Here's the thing about that, though. They can't keep up (or don't want to) with illegal providers now. How on earth will they do it if they create more "underground" providers?

So if they DO require a license, you are banking on the fact that you will be able to get away without having one anyways because they are too busy now?

I am NOT implying that you will....just saying IF you do, you won't be able to claim expenses or anything on your taxes then...kwim? Plus, the guilt would kill me.

I don't think the whole QRIS thing will last more than a few years. Studies will show that it was a big fat waste of money, and they'll scrap it. Well, maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.

I disagree. Head Start is an 8 billion dollar failure and they still keep doing that. As long as the "right" people continue padding their wallets, they don't really care about the actual success or failure of any of these programs.

I wholeheartedly believe the only reason they started QRIS in the first place was so they were able to dip their greedy hands in the age groups that were currently not "contributing" already. So if they aren't old enough to be in public school, let's bring school to them....kwim?

I think QRIS is going to be bigger and badder than any of us realize.

It's gonna be a lot like the ACA. Sounds great on paper but ****s in reality.

I'm not trying to put a damper on your plans....just making sure you are really looking at the BIG picture and not just today....kwim?

[Heidi]

So if they DO require a license, you are banking on the fact that you will be able to get away without having one anyways because they are too busy now?

I am NOT implying that you will....just saying IF you do, you won't be able to claim expenses or anything on your taxes then...kwim? Plus, the guilt would kill me.



I disagree. Head Start is an 8 billion dollar failure and they still keep doing that. As long as the "right" people continue padding their wallets, they don't really care about the actual success or failure of any of these programs.

I wholeheartedly believe the only reason they started QRIS in the first place was so they were able to dip their greedy hands in the age groups that were currently not "contributing" already. So if they aren't old enough to be in public school, let's bring school to them....kwim?

I think QRIS is going to be bigger and badder than any of us realize.

It's gonna be a lot like the ACA. Sounds great on paper but ****s in reality.

I'm not trying to put a damper on your plans....just making sure you are really looking at the BIG picture and not just today....kwim?

You're probably right about the QRIS thing.

As for operating illegally, if things got ridiculous, I would honestly consider it. It would be with great reluctance, and I wouldn't go overboard, but I'd do it if I had to. Since my dh is looking at retirement in the next 10 years, who knows what I'll be doing by then. Maybe I'll just get a nanny job then. By then, I'll look like Mrs. Doubtfire anyway ::

[Neekie]

Blackcat, those are some interesting thoughts. I will take this into consideration before I turn in my license. I am just afraid though that the state will eventually force a lot of us underground or out of child care entirely because of all the stuff they are forcing on us and I know it is only going to get worse. I have rheumatoid arthritis and it is getting very hard for me to keep up with everything even with an assistant and it really cuts into my family time. But so far I am hanging in here and hoping I can make it through until my husband retires at least, but I would like to keep going until I am sixty-five if I can..

[Moppetland]

I was a licensed childcare provider from 2008-2012, left for a year to work as a sub in a preschool until May of this year, and now I'm license-exempt. This is what they call it in IL, which is legal. I'm also listed on the referral list. I can provide care for 3 children. More if it's a family of siblings. I gave up my license because I didn't think I was going to come back to doing this. But here I am. The only thing is, I had to reapply again, and now I don't think I want it. My rep is just waiting on my updated CPR/1st aid which I took two weeks ago, and then he will submit me for my license again. It took 8 months to go through re-licensing.

I too don't feel like tolerating all the DCFS red tape. One thing out of order and you get put on the state's list as out of compliance and have to post it for your parents to see. When I was licensed before, I never was out of compliance, but now there is a rep shortage and I have a new rep for the second time since I've been going through re-licensing. Also, a license-exempt provider is allowed to be on the food program. I get paid an extra 20% of the daily rate paid to me for parents on CCAP because I took credentialing classes that licensed providers aren't allowed to receive, and there are other perks for being license exempt.

So, now, I'm sitting here wondering if I should send off my proof of CPR/1st aid to my rep. I'm thinking hard about it. I'm a good provider, but I just don't feel like being hassled. On top of that, my home insurance company is warning my DH and I about canceling our home insurance if I have a day care. They didn't seem to care before. Somehow they found out that I was doing child care this time.

So, you aren't alone in your dilemma. I guess it depends on each provider's situation. I think that if it came down to being forced to be licensed, I would be a nanny too. I was already approached by really wealthy families who was willing to pay me more a week than I'll get with 6 kids and licensed. But that is going to be a second option if it came down to it.

[WImom]

well, in theory they could ask you, and you would have to show how you document the number of hours. It's something you are expected to track.

They may usually only look at the last 3 weeks records, but they can ask for the last 3 years. They have nailed a number of providers for not having those records available. Of course, those were folks they considered suspect because they had a lot of Shares kids, and they were trying to weed out fraud. But, your licenser can ask for 3 years, and you'd be required to show it then and there.

Good to know. I don't have any SHARES kids but am in Youngstar for the Grant and TEACH. Do I have to have it all on one form or just figure out from all my attendance Sheets?

[Heidi]

Good to know. I don't have any SHARES kids but am in Youngstar for the Grant and TEACH. Do I have to have it all on one form or just figure out from all my attendance Sheets?

It doesn't actually say anywhere. I would just add it up from time to time and note it on your attendance forms. Then, if you are asked, you can prove he's not over the 240.

[Margarete]

Is there an option in your state to go on leave from being licensed in your state. In California we can do that, and when we are ready to come back we don't have to start all over, and don't have to follow all of the regulations or worry about licensing visits during that time, as long as we are legally unlicensed of course.

[Familycare71]

I am so there with you!! The only reasons I have not dropped to legal exempt is because I can only watch two children (plus any that I'm related to but I don't have any of those) and children for three hours or less per day. I just don't think I'd make enough.
I also worry I would have trouble finding new daycare kids when needed because of not being liscensed.
And I worry about what BC said- that we will all be required to be registered in the near future! I am in NY - they LOVE to regulate everything!!

[Blackcat31]

I am so there with you!! The only reasons I have not dropped to legal exempt is because I can only watch two children (plus any that I'm related to but I don't have any of those) and children for three hours or less per day. I just don't think I'd make enough.
I also worry I would have trouble finding new daycare kids when needed because of not being liscensed.
And I worry about what BC said- that we will all be required to be registered in the near future! I am in NY - they LOVE to regulate everything!!

Your state scored a 72 out of 150 possible points ranking them at 13th out of 52.

I think it is BECAUSE they regulate everything. The states that are heavy on regulations are the states that scored the highest.

EACH state has the same recommendation that ANY provider caring for more than one family should be licensed.