Sex Offender Issue

[TickleMonster]

This is such a mess. Ok I'll start by saying that we are a legally unlicensed daycare. We stay under the maximum number of kids so that we do not have to be licensed or registered. That has never been an issue until today. We regularly check the sex offenders website and found that at the end of May a sex offender registered and lives RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!!!! OMG! And this person has molested children! We immediately called the sheriffs department and told them the whole situation and they said since we are not a licensed daycare, this person is not breaking any sex offender laws. This is horrible. They said just keep an eye out for any issues and be careful. Ummm this is not good and is making me want to move.

[grandmom]

How much trouble would it be for you to become registered?

Unfortunately they are everywhere. Sorry you are dealing with this.

[playground1]

Do you see any reason that this person could or would come in contact with your dck?

[NightOwl]

That is NOT good. I'm thinking you may need to notify your parents and they will be VERY unhappy. You will probably lose some over this. Have you considered getting that license? I know it's nice not being under the watchful eye of big brother, but this could seriously harm your business. Even ruin it.

[Michael]

You are aware of this person and that empowers you. I would try to get registered. There are obvious benefits.

[playground1]

That is NOT good. I'm thinking you may need to notify your parents and they will be VERY unhappy. You will probably lose some over this. Have you considered getting that license? I know it's nice not being under the watchful eye of big brother, but this could seriously harm your business. Even ruin it.

Serious question, why would she be obligated to notify the parents? No one is breaking any laws, right? This person was registered AFTER she started her business, so there's no breach of trust.

I guess I don't understand what the big deal is.

[CraftyMom]

What would being licensed have anything to do with it? Did this person just move in?

You can't make him move (not aware of your state's laws though)

We have a registered offender 5 houses down. I know who is what he looks like, my kids know the same. My dck are never out of my sight, he has never bothered us in the 12 years we have been here.

I suggest being informed, being aware and keeping your eyes and ears open.

[CraftyMom]

For what it's worth, you could have 3 more in your neighborhood that ARE NOT registered, that you DON'T KNOW about! Those are the dangerous ones.

[NightOwl]

I would feel obligated to tell my parents, but that's just me. I think it's the ethical thing to do. If my own child was in a home daycare and I found out that my provider knew a sex offender lived right across the street and didn't tell me? I'd be gone. Total loss of trust. If she did tell me, I could make the decision for myself as to whether or not to keep my child there. I feel like that is a decision for the parents to make, not for the provider to make for them. She could also open herself up to a potential lawsuit if, God forbid, he comes in contact with one of the dcks and the parents find out that she knew and didn't inform them.

[NightOwl]

And I'll point out that I'm hyper sensitive to the subject because, I just am. You can assume why.

[CraftyMom]

I agree the parents should be notified since this is RIGHT across the street. I do think it would be stirring up a hornet's nest though

But I think op has the advantage since she is aware of him. If he weren't registered she would have no idea.

[NightOwl]

Hell, put a big sign in your front yard, facing his house, that says "I know what you did. STAY AWAY". Lo. I'm not joking...

[Cradle2crayons]

I'm going to be the odd one out also.....

I wouldn't notify parents... And I wouldn't license just because of the offender.

I would keep doing what I'm doing. I'm not as bothered by he registered ones as I am the ones who are under the radar.

Why notify parents and start an all out war and then you can guarantee you'll never have another client. Your parents trust you to keep their kids safe. Now tat you know of the offender you simply do what you have been doing. You keep the kids safe by doing what you would do before you knew about the offender.

I understand why yu are concerned. But the fact of the matter is.... The fact is that knowing the information doesn't change he quality of care YOU provide. It just arms you with valuable information.

[Blackcat31]

The registered sex offenders are the ones authorities are tracking. I wouldn't worry.

Its the ones who haven't been caught yet that would worry me.

I also would not notify parents....what exactly are they suppose to do?

I will never understand why people freak about REGISTERED offenders. Registered means someone knows where they are and is monitoring them.

This also has NOTHING to do with whether OP is licensed or not.

My state notifies anyone wishing to be on a mailing list the whereabouts of registered offenders.
I also think it's fair to mention that there are different levels of offenders. Some may be likely to re-offend but some did their time, paid their debt to society and just want to move on.

Sensationalizing stuff like this by prematurely notifying parents is what creates drama in this type of thing.

[NightOwl]

I'm going to be the odd one out also.....

I wouldn't notify parents... And I wouldn't license just because of the offender.

I would keep doing what I'm doing. I'm not as bothered by he registered ones as I am the ones who are under the radar.

Why notify parents and start an all out war and then you can guarantee you'll never have another client. Your parents trust you to keep their kids safe. Now tat you know of the offender you simply do what you have been doing. You keep the kids safe by doing what you would do before you knew about the offender.

I understand why yu are concerned. But the fact of the matter is.... The fact is that knowing the information doesn't change he quality of care YOU provide. It just arms you with valuable information.

True, but what happens when her parents do a sex offender search and see this info? People do it routinely now because it's so much easier to access the information these days.
Then they're angry she didn't tell them? Then they withdraw their children and tell all their friends and family that she kept this secret? Then she's ruined. This is a hypothetical consequence of not telling, but it is a very realistic hypothetical consequence that I can easily see happening.