Starting Daycare-What Inspectors Actually Look At

[Childminder]

For example it does not state in the handbook anything about raised hearths on fireplaces, am I required to have some type of protection around the edge? Yes, I had to put a protective edge on mine and inspectors that have inspected check this too, I think because it was a corrective issue at initial inspection and my inspector wouldn't let me use pillows because my heath had cushions already.
Also it states to not use the Accordion type baby gates-but the daycare my children go to right now uses one, is this something that they don't inspect? I could not have the wooden accordion ones
When it comes to outdoor equipment-do they actually measure everything and check all the bolts etc? My first inspector checked for loose screws and actually went down the slide. Other inspectors have barely glanced at it but all have checked cushioning under the fall zone. Obviously, I want the play set to be safe, and I plan to have everything to the requirements, just curious to know exactly what is involved in the inspections.

Every inspector is completely different but if you have the licensing check list and are comfortable with having done everything you are good. Water temp is always checked. All rooms are checked but off limit areas are glanced at, I guess so you aren't hiding children( like the lady in NC that was hiding 14 children).

Ok. I have one emergency contact within 10 minutes the other is about 15 minutes away. Guess that may need to be changed.

I think you are referring to your emergency relief person and not the children's emergency contact. It says that they are to be close geographically, mine is 2 miles away.

Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? Make certain your refrigerator is correct temp, I had one check once. Tooth paste, razors, shampoo, etc...out of reach. Paper toweling or individual cloths for hand drying. Vinyl or plastic covering for changing area has no holes or cracks.

I'm not saying you will get checked for all of the above but you might get checked for some. If I think of more I'll let you know. By the way I love my inspector that I have now and all but one have been super nice. Oh! I'm in Waterford.

[originalkat]

I have found it depends on the inspector and how long they have been on the job. The first 5 years I got several different inspectors and they each checked different things (some more thorough than others). This last year I got a new inspector and she went so far as to count the bandages in my first aid kit and write me up for having the wrong size. WOW. She also wrote me up in error for two other regs and I emailed her with the copy and pasted regs stating otherwise. Grrrrr!!! She changed it....BUT STILL! I was never written up for ANYTHING before that. Unfortunately I will be getting her again this year.

[melilley]

Ok. I have one emergency contact within 10 minutes the other is about 15 minutes away. Guess that may need to be changed.

Awesome on the 6 hours for orientation- I will have all my hours. So maybe I should get that going here in the next week or so.

The outdoor area- I have motor skills activities already. We have to paint our shed that we put up last year before winter and I need to do a few small improvements to my swing set/play set. Also need to put the ground coverings down. We have just been waiting for all this snow to melt and to get a bit warmer to paint. As far as trampoline, pool, hot tub etc. I don't have any of those. So I'm set there

I'm near Grand Ledge and Charlotte.

I'm actually in Delta Township/Grand Ledge! My mailing address is Lansing, but we are Grand Ledge schools, it's weird.

For your training hours, did you know that we have to have 10 a year?

They won't mind that your shed isn't painted.

And like childminder and other pp's have said, every inspector is different. Most things are common sense like making sure everything the kids aren't supposed to have, is out of reach, child locks on cabinets containing things the children can't have-any cabinet w/ poisons or breakable glassware and of course sharp objects etc...

Oh make sure nothing is w/in 3 ft. of your furnace! I'm sure that's on the checklist...just something I thought of.

If you go through the checklist and read the Licensing Rules book, I'm sure you'll be fine! And if there is something you get cited for, they will make a written plan and you have to say how you'll fix it and do it. And as long as it's nothing terrible, that's all you have to do. (I got cited for my water being 2 degrees too hot..)

I'm assuming that you are in Ingham or Eaton county. All of the ladies that are consultants (licensors) for those counties are super nice!

[Jessicaclark]

Every inspector is completely different but if you have the licensing check list and are comfortable with having done everything you are good. Water temp is always checked. All rooms are checked but off limit areas are glanced at, I guess so you aren't hiding children( like the lady in NC that was hiding 14 children).

I think you are referring to your emergency relief person and not the children's emergency contact. It says that they are to be close geographically, mine is 2 miles away.

Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? Make certain your refrigerator is correct temp, I had one check once. Tooth paste, razors, shampoo, etc...out of reach. Paper toweling or individual cloths for hand drying. Vinyl or plastic covering for changing area has no holes or cracks.

I'm not saying you will get checked for all of the above but you might get checked for some. If I think of more I'll let you know. By the way I love my inspector that I have now and all but one have been super nice. Oh! I'm in Waterford.

Thank you for the information. What does the refrigerator need to be at? Also the changing area-may be a dumb question- but do you have to have a changing table? Or just a changing area? I know you must has a mat or something to change on, but does it have to be a table?
Little details like that aren't on the checklist or handbook.
And I do have a carbon monoxide detector.

[Jessicaclark]

I have found it depends on the inspector and how long they have been on the job. The first 5 years I got several different inspectors and they each checked different things (some more thorough than others). This last year I got a new inspector and she went so far as to count the bandages in my first aid kit and write me up for having the wrong size. WOW. She also wrote me up in error for two other regs and I emailed her with the copy and pasted regs stating otherwise. Grrrrr!!! She changed it....BUT STILL! I was never written up for ANYTHING before that. Unfortunately I will be getting her again this year.

That's crazy that you were written up for the wrong size bandages. I guess I wouldn't think of that. What are the correct sizes?

[Jessicaclark]

I'm actually in Delta Township/Grand Ledge! My mailing address is Lansing, but we are Grand Ledge schools, it's weird.

For your training hours, did you know that we have to have 10 a year?

They won't mind that your shed isn't painted.

And like childminder and other pp's have said, every inspector is different. Most things are common sense like making sure everything the kids aren't supposed to have, is out of reach, child locks on cabinets containing things the children can't have-any cabinet w/ poisons or breakable glassware and of course sharp objects etc...

Oh make sure nothing is w/in 3 ft. of your furnace! I'm sure that's on the checklist...just something I thought of.

If you go through the checklist and read the Licensing Rules book, I'm sure you'll be fine! And if there is something you get cited for, they will make a written plan and you have to say how you'll fix it and do it. And as long as it's nothing terrible, that's all you have to do. (I got cited for my water being 2 degrees too hot..)

I'm assuming that you are in Ingham or Eaton county. All of the ladies that are consultants (licensors) for those counties are super nice!

Thank you. I am Eaton county..Charlotte schools. I think I might be making a bigger deal out of this than I should or worrying a little too much than I should be. I'm just the type of person that wants to make sure everything is perfect, as much as possible at least.

As far as the training hours, I did know we had to have 10 a year. Thank you though

My furnace is in my laundry room, in its own kind of closet. So nothing can be put with it or by it. Same goes for my water heater.

Again, thank you for your help

[melilley]

Thank you. I am Eaton county..Charlotte schools. I think I might be making a bigger deal out of this than I should or worrying a little too much than I should be. I'm just the type of person that wants to make sure everything is perfect, as much as possible at least.



Again, thank you for your help

No problem!

I was the same way! After the inspection, I wondered what I was so nervous for!

[melilley]

Thank you for the information. What does the refrigerator need to be at? Also the changing area-may be a dumb question- but do you have to have a changing table? Or just a changing area? I know you must has a mat or something to change on, but does it have to be a table?
Little details like that aren't on the checklist or handbook.
And I do have a carbon monoxide detector.

You don't have to have a changing table. The mat has to be on a surface that can be sanitized like tile or you can even set it on a plastic shower curtain. The changing area has to be away from play areas though.

Don't forget a non smoking sign..just thought of that.

I don't know if you know about this already, but there is a technical assistance manual you can look it. It's the licensing rules, but they explain them in detail, it gives the rationale, technical assistance, and consultation for each rule. It may help, it helped me!
Here is the link:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Home_TA_410282_7.pdf?20140313105741

[Childminder]

Oh make sure nothing is w/in 3 ft. of your furnace! I'm sure that's on the checklist...just something I thought of.

Actually it's four feet.
I'll check on the fridge temp but I think it's below 40. 0_o

You'll do fine you will be more than prepared I'm sure. It is nervewracking cause it's your first.

[Jessicaclark]

You don't have to have a changing table. The mat has to be on a surface that can be sanitized like tile or you can even set it on a plastic shower curtain. The changing area has to be away from play areas though.

Don't forget a non smoking sign..just thought of that.

I don't know if you know about this already, but there is a technical assistance manual you can look it. It's the licensing rules, but they explain them in detail, it gives the rationale, technical assistance, and consultation for each rule. It may help, it helped me!
Here is the link:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dh...20140313105741

No did not know about that site (manual) thank you!!!
And maybe it says in there..but do you have to have a LANDLINE or can a cell phone work? Oh all the questions I have

Also thank you on the changing table question/answer. I was planning on having a pad to use in the bathroom, but wanted to make sure that would work or if I needed to purchase a table.

[Jessicaclark]

Actually it's four feet.
I'll check on the fridge temp but I think it's below 40. 0_o

You'll do fine you will be more than prepared I'm sure. It is nervewracking cause it's your first.

Thank you.
I am very nervous. The more I think about it..the more questions I have. Still have the orientation to do, maybe that will help me some also.

[melilley]

No did not know about that site (manual) thank you!!!
And maybe it says in there..but do you have to have a LANDLINE or can a cell phone work? Oh all the questions I have

Also thank you on the changing table question/answer. I was planning on having a pad to use in the bathroom, but wanted to make sure that would work or if I needed to purchase a table.

You don't have to have a landline. You used to have to, but now you just have to make sure you have a charged phone at all times.

Ask away!

[melilley]

Actually it's four feet.
I'll check on the fridge temp but I think it's below 40. 0_o

You'll do fine you will be more than prepared I'm sure. It is nervewracking cause it's your first.

Oopsie, it is 4 ft. I think it is 40.0 for the fridge. They didn't check mine. One question, we only have to have a first aid kit if we drive the kids in a vehicle right? I don't have one (I know I should anyways) and she didn't ask, but just in case they ask next time.

[Jessicaclark]

You don't have to have a landline. You used to have to, but now you just have to make sure you have a charged phone at all times.

Ask away!

Awesome thank you. That's kind of what I thought going off what it states in the handbook.

[melilley]

No did not know about that site (manual) thank you!!!
And maybe it says in there..but do you have to have a LANDLINE or can a cell phone work? Oh all the questions I have

Also thank you on the changing table question/answer. I was planning on having a pad to use in the bathroom, but wanted to make sure that would work or if I needed to purchase a table.

Yes, that site has everything you will ever need as far as forms that you can download like attendance, manuals, lots of things! Here is the main site:

http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5529---,00.html