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- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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The problem isn't us "unlicensed" providers. The problem is WHO is providing that care. I'm LEGALLY unlicensed but my house is up to all standards set by my state.
Setting more regulations for the licensed providers isn't going to prevent the "bad" daycares.Comment
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How often are licensed day cares inspected. When I was licensed in my state I was never inspected. The food program came out twice a year, but the state never did. That was 4 years of being licensed, or registered. I can't remember what Iowa calls it.
I knew once a year when the food program was coming, but the other was a surprise visit. Of course, I knew exactly what time they would come if they did a surprise visit so that wasn't all that much of a surprise.
Day cares 10 miles north were inspected by the state because the local DHS is in that town.
Interestingly, when I was getting business insurance I was asked by our agent if I was licensed. I said no and asked if they wanted me to be. He said they preferred me to be unlicensed because I would have fewer children that way.
ETA: I understand that the food program is a state program, but they were looking at my food prep, not my house.
KellyHomeschooling Mama to:
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This. We get pop ins every couple of months and a large scale scheduled inspection every two years, unless our name gets pulled from the lucky lottery and then it's more often
In my state an unlicensed provider may only care for TWO unrelated children in their home (of course many provide care for more than that
) but if they claim they only have TWO, there is NO oversight. They can claim they follow all state regs, but no one is popping in to check (and if they do the unlicensed provider doesn't have to allow them in) I know many a babysitter in my area that has refused to allow state official in to inspect. Most of the time they don't return with a warrant as they don't have the manpower.
But honestly, my reply was speaking to the article in which the children died in UNLICENSED day care. And because of that they want to regulate LICENSED day care. This IS an issue for those of us who are licensed. I had to tell my licensor about my NEIGHBORS pool, which they may have to inspect to make sure it's safe
all because a little girl died in an unlicensed day home because the sitters pool was directly off her deck with no barrier. So *I* (and my neighbors! ) have to jump through hoops, but unlicensed providers have no such restrictions. What's to prevent another child dying in an unlicensed day home?
I know there are many legally operating unlicensed providers here, and that's fine. I've said if I didn't have to have a license, I wouldn't. In fact I didn't when I was starting out and only caring for two dck's - so I can say clearly that there are many things I do now because licensing requires it that I would not if I were legally unlicensed.Comment
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I am "inspected" unannounced once a year = multiple hours, looking through closets, sheds, records and my private family areas as well as childcare areas. Observing my interactions with kids.
I am "monitored" unannounced 4 times a year = usually 1 hour, quick walk through of childcare areas, quick look through records, reading of lesson plans/menus.
I am "assisted" monthly = Announced 1-2 hour in home training/observing visit.
That does not answer my question, though. :
: Each state has their own definitions of everything, I really don't know the answer... was looking for what makes them "legal". Does the state even know they exist? That kind of thing.... just an interesting topic.
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
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I am running a legally licensed exempt home that is actually up to the standards of a licensed home or more so (it's literally only a yr old), however my state won't give me the license because it's a single wide, whereas my rancher home that was 16 sq ft smaller had no issues (well except black mold)... If I had stayed there it would have been licensed (crazy huh). The food program actually checks electrical outlets, blinds/cords and such here when they pop in to inspect and yes some of the inspections are unannounced. I have been a licensed provider in a few states too so I understand the rules & regs... I run like I am licensed for safety reasonsComment
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Ok, I get that. We were like that once here, too. The food program reps inspected and monitored you instead of the separate umbrella of "childcare inspector".
Providers here that are on the food program have to endure both, now.. I can't even imagine jumping through both sets of hoops.
They are notoriously at opposite ends of the spectrum... ::::
Food program inspections = care, nutrition, health and safety.
Childcare inspections= Community service, education and family resource.- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
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I understand some states do a good job, I was just highlighting the fact that some states do a horrible job of inspecting. I've been inspected the same number of times unlicensed as I was licensed, 0.I am "inspected" unannounced once a year = multiple hours, looking through closets, sheds, records and my private family areas as well as childcare areas. Observing my interactions with kids.
I am "monitored" unannounced 4 times a year = usually 1 hour, quick walk through of childcare areas, quick look through records, reading of lesson plans/menus.
I am "assisted" monthly = Announced 1-2 hour in home training/observing visit.
That does not answer my question, though. :: Each state has their own definitions of everything, I really don't know the answer... was looking for what makes them "legal". Does the state even know they exist? That kind of thing.... just an interesting topic.
I'm all for not increasing regulations on licensed care. It isn't going to help. I totally agree.
Are you asking what makes unlicensed care legal? I don't have over my allowed number of kids for one thing. It seems that's usually the biggest issue. I run things unlicensed like I did when I was registered. I think I'm sometimes even more careful just because I am unlicensed.
Just so I'm not in trouble for being online. I don't have any dc kids right now. They are in preschool during this time
KellyHomeschooling Mama to:
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Once again, instead of adding new laws, just enforce the ones already there.
Making EVERYONE who cares for children required to be licensing (even one or two) will just further burden the system. WI already can't shut down ILLEGAL care (those caring for more than 3 children without a license here), so how would making the rules stricter help?
That's my argument for WI, anyway. Enforce what you already have in place.Comment
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How frustrating for providers. I'd lose it with someone if I had to deal with people who couldn't agree on what I needed to do.
KellyHomeschooling Mama to:
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Yes, I guess :confused:. I do wonder about that. How are legally unlicensed providers monitored? How does the state know you exist? Is it a trust system?
I see you are inspected unlicensed. That makes sense... but are all states unlicensed also inspected?
How/why would you be in trouble for being online?
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
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I don't know...I see a LOT of deaths in licensed facilities in the news as well. I just read somewhere that there were 6 infant deaths in MN by licensed providers in one year. The 51 deaths mentioned in this article is over a decade. I'm sure numbers vary state to state and many go unreported so it's hard to get accurate counts but licensed daycare has it's fair share and I see it on the news all the time
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I suppose it is a trust system. I'm supposed to only have 5 kids which I stay below. I make sure I'm current on CPR and First Aid. I serve meals that would be accepted by the food program.
It is usually the bad ones that make it harder for everyone. Frustrating for sure.
If I had to be I would get licensed. It just isn't worth the hassle for two kids.
I won't really be in trouble for being online. I know some people question providers online while kids are in attendance. I don't have kids right now, and I'm procrastinating The funniest part is that I'm procrastinating reading a book about not procrastinating.
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