Would You Turn Unlicensed Providers In?

[Heidi]

I understand that so much. We have CL ads saying we will beat any rates on CL; they are asking for a heap of trouble license exempt or not, because I've seen offers for 60 week locally. It's crazy because I know I can get 125-135 week as a license exempt (I do organics) ; I also claim taxes and am on the food program...

Yeah, as long as someone is LEGAL, I'd stay out of it. I actually wouldn't care if I knew someone had 4 kids once in a while instead of 3. What gets me is people who take 10 or 12 without a license. Even WITH a license, I can only take 8.

[Unregistered]

I don't even know how you guys have time/know about these ads. Seems a little petty. I also think it's extreme that some state require a license to basically be a nanny (have one child). I wouldn't turn anyone in, because one I probably wouldn't know (I have a life to lead and am too busy to be a nosey body). Two, there's no way to know if someone is licensed or not. I also think things like this take away from real cases of abuse. I mean, should the government be inspecting a person who's caring for one kid (in some states) and probably not doing anything wrong or the foster family that's feeding the child dog food? Things like this is why REAL abuse usually doesn't get taken care of at all in a lot of cases, because the social workers are too busy with this bs,

[Heidi]

I don't even know how you guys have time/know about these ads. Seems a little petty. I also think it's extreme that some state require a license to basically be a nanny (have one child). I wouldn't turn anyone in, because one I probably wouldn't know (I have a life to lead and am too busy to be a nosey body). Two, there's no way to know if someone is licensed or not. I also think things like this take away from real cases of abuse. I mean, should the government be inspecting a person who's caring for one kid (in some states) and probably not doing anything wrong or the foster family that's feeding the child dog food? Things like this is why REAL abuse usually doesn't get taken care of at all in a lot of cases, because the social workers are too busy with this bs,

So...if your neighbor drove around without a license, you'd be ok with that? I mean...he knows how to drive, right? So what if you spent the time studying the rules, taking the required tests, and paying the fees?

Or how about the lady down the street from your restaurant who's a good cook? The state requires a license and heath inspection for restaurants, but so what? She's a good cook! So, she sells tamale's at 3/4 the price you do, and you go through all the work of dealing with inspectors, but that's just fine? Not only that, she has the nerve to advertise what she's doing illegally?

I've done my share of internet research and been a mother for 24 years. So, when someone in the family is sick, I generally do a good job diagnosing it. When my husband had appendicitis a few years ago, I called it. I'm pretty smart that way. I think maybe I'll open a 1/2 price clinic in my living room.::

In all seriousness, I don't spend hours trolling craigslist looking for illegal providers. But, when I posted my ad and looked at a few others, I thought it was pretty blatant to admit that this person was not only providing illegal care, but committing tax fraud to boot.

If you don't like the laws, lobby to have them changed. One child equals a license DOES seem ridiculous. But so does a lady and her 2 pre-teen daughter who homeschool "watching" 15 kids.

[LysesKids]

I don't even know how you guys have time/know about these ads. Seems a little petty. I also think it's extreme that some state require a license to basically be a nanny (have one child)

First off a nanny doesn't work in her own home, she goes to the family home and falls under federal law for pay; that means minimum wage plus OT after 40hrs... something alot of us legal providers don't get (I could only hope);. If a childcare is working under the table, what are you hiding? Disability pay, Food stamps? Something to think about if one isn't running legal. Petty or not, we run legal, and those that don't... to bad, not sad

[craftymissbeth]

I don't even know how you guys have time/know about these ads. Seems a little petty. I also think it's extreme that some state require a license to basically be a nanny (have one child). I wouldn't turn anyone in, because one I probably wouldn't know (I have a life to lead and am too busy to be a nosey body). Two, there's no way to know if someone is licensed or not. I also think things like this take away from real cases of abuse. I mean, should the government be inspecting a person who's caring for one kid (in some states) and probably not doing anything wrong or the foster family that's feeding the child dog food? Things like this is why REAL abuse usually doesn't get taken care of at all in a lot of cases, because the social workers are too busy with this bs,

I've never really searched Craigslist since my area doesn't use it for advertising, but I belong to A LOT of Facebook swap groups and many of those posts show up directly in my news feed. In my state, we have a website where you can search for providers to see their licensing info as well as regulation compliance issues and inspection information.

Also in my state, you must be licensed if you watch kids in your own home for more than 20 hours a week total. This isn't ridiculous; it's to protect families, IMO. They inspect our homes regardless of whether we have 0 children or 12 so that the children and families are protected... a nanny works out of the family's home and that family can live however they please.

Also in my state , it's licensing that responds to complaints of illegally unlicensed providers, not CPS (DCF here). Therefore, the "real abuse" victims are unaffected by the decision to turn in unlicensed providers.

[midaycare]

I don't even know how you guys have time/know about these ads. Seems a little petty. I also think it's extreme that some state require a license to basically be a nanny (have one child). I wouldn't turn anyone in, because one I probably wouldn't know (I have a life to lead and am too busy to be a nosey body). Two, there's no way to know if someone is licensed or not. I also think things like this take away from real cases of abuse. I mean, should the government be inspecting a person who's caring for one kid (in some states) and probably not doing anything wrong or the foster family that's feeding the child dog food? Things like this is why REAL abuse usually doesn't get taken care of at all in a lot of cases, because the social workers are too busy with this bs,

This is not done by social workers where I live.

[Unregistered]

This is not done by social workers where I live.

In my area it is, because this would be reported as child abuse. In my area, you don't have to licensed for a certain amount of children. Even if it was a center that licensed, it's CPS/a social worker going. Honestly, it is petty because the root of it money. If they were running these "illegal" daycares for free, would you report them? I hope everyone who's a legal eagle, knows all their laws and knows sometimes laws can contradict other laws. I don't condone doing things that are illegal, you aren't a cop. If you're reporting people willy nilly, I hope your behind is always covered. I once had a friend who very upstanding and lived in an apartment. New obnoxious neighbor came in. They got into an argument about something. New neighbor was a lawyer and had lots of lawyer coworkers and friends and government official friends. It eventually ended with my friend getting evicted and having police reports in their name. I'm just saying it's easy to get someone someone for not doting their Is, but just make sure you're always crossing your Ts.

[CraftyMom]

I'll add that when you are licensed it is not only you the provider being licensed, it is your HOME. They make sure the home is a safe environment for kids to be in. No safety hazards, no criminals or sex offenders living in or visiting the home, cleanliness, a safe outside play area, no one has any illnesses, just to name a few of the things regulated by licensing.

Sure a sahm may be wonderful with children and takes excellent care of them, but the home also needs to be inspected.

Even with my license, I am only qualified to care for children in THIS home. If I move I need to get relicensed.

[permanentvacation]

Dang skippy I would.... and have. I call the unlicensed person from a phone number that I do not use in my daycare ad. I act like I have a child I might want them to watch and ask all the questions a caller would ask me about daycare. I get their address and then I call my supervisor with their information. I have to make that 'fake' phone call because the supervisors won't bother taking the time to investigate anything themselves. But if we call them with the name, address, phone number, and tell them that the unlicensed person offered to watch my child for a specific price on a consistent basis at their house, then the supervisor will go to the unlicensed person's house.

[Crazy8]

if it is illegal yes I would report them. But I find it really crazy that some states are so strict. You can't babysit one child without being licensed?? Wow. I wonder if some people even know this. I mean, if I wasn't looking to be a professional daycare provider, just wanted to watch a child to earn a few bucks I wouldn't even expect that I'd need a license to do so.

[craftymissbeth]

In my area it is, because this would be reported as child abuse. In my area, you don't have to licensed for a certain amount of children. Even if it was a center that licensed, it's CPS/a social worker going. Honestly, it is petty because the root of it money. If they were running these "illegal" daycares for free, would you report them? I hope everyone who's a legal eagle, knows all their laws and knows sometimes laws can contradict other laws. I don't condone doing things that are illegal, you aren't a cop. If you're reporting people willy nilly, I hope your behind is always covered. I once had a friend who very upstanding and lived in an apartment. New obnoxious neighbor came in. They got into an argument about something. New neighbor was a lawyer and had lots of lawyer coworkers and friends and government official friends. It eventually ended with my friend getting evicted and having police reports in their name. I'm just saying it's easy to get someone someone for not doting their Is, but just make sure you're always crossing your Ts.

Yes, I would report regardless of how much they charge. For me, this issue isn't about them being my "competition". In fact, I don't even see other licensed providers as my competition, either. I'd report just because I feel like if they can't go through the process of becoming licensed then they're hiding something and it should be checked out. I just want the kids they watch to be safe.

[Play Care]

if it is illegal yes I would report them. But I find it really crazy that some states are so strict. You can't babysit one child without being licensed?? Wow. I wonder if some people even know this. I mean, if I wasn't looking to be a professional daycare provider, just wanted to watch a child to earn a few bucks I wouldn't even expect that I'd need a license to do so.

I agree that it seems ridiculous, and I'm willing to bet most people wouldn't bother turning in someone who truly had one or two kids. In my state the rule is two children if you are unlicensed. The issue I've run into is that the illegals have 5 or 6 kids in their care. And most of them are former licensed providers to they know they are breaking the law.

[momofboys]

Yes, I would report regardless of how much they charge. For me, this issue isn't about them being my "competition". In fact, I don't even see other licensed providers as my competition, either. I'd report just because I feel like if they can't go through the process of becoming licensed then they're hiding something and it should be checked out. I just want the kids they watch to be safe.

In my state you don't have to be licensed but I think it's a bit over-the-top to assume that they are hiding something simply because they aren't licensed.

[permanentvacation]

For those saying they wouldn't worry about someone illegal that just has a couple of kids.

In my area, the unlicensed illegal babysitters are literally running legal daycare providers out of business. There is a ratio of about 4 illegal babysitters to every 1 legal daycare provider here. The illegals charge $75 while the going rate of legal daycare is $120-140. That rate is for 2-5 year olds. So many parents are hiring the illegal babysitters to save money which has made us legal providers who can legally have 8 children and typically would have a full load of 8 kids, now many of us can only get about 4 kids! The illegals are literally running many of us out of business! So, yes! We DO Have to worry about the illegals even if they only have a couple of kids, because if there are 50 illegals with only 2 kids each, that's 100 kids in the area that the illegals are taking from us!

[permanentvacation]

Oh, I forgot to say that when I turn the illegals in, I also send a copy of their ad into my supervisor to prove that they are advertising to watch children that are not related to them on a consistent basis for a fee.