Licensed to Unlicensed - Advice Please!

[hsdcmama]

Has anyone given up their license and chosen to operate unlicensed? I know it is illegal, but I am seriously considering giving up my license and only caring for 2 of the kids I have now. They are a sibling set that I really like, and whose parents have said they would rather bring them here than go elsewhere, even if I was unlicensed. I get along really well with the parents, our parenting styles are the same, etc. and I don't mind keeping these two on. But I have reached the point where I honestly hate my job, and now I may be losing a dcb and his baby sister who was supposed to start next month bc his mom might decide to stay home. I'm sick of feeling like I'm just here for parents to dump on and abuse my policies, and I put up with so much from this kid, only to find out that I will most likely be losing this baby and her brother - and the parents didn't even have the decency to tell me. The baby is supposed to start in 2 weeks, and when I asked what the exact start date would be, I got an ,"Oh, well I have to talk to my work and see if it will even be worth it to have the 2 kids in daycare." Really? It just ticks me off that I am apparently so expendable after a year and a half of caring for this kid.

Anyway, I'm meeting with advisors at the local college to take a look at their nursing program. I have some pre-req classes I need to take before I could start the program though, which will probably take me at least a year or 2 to complete. When I did the math I realized that I can make ends meet with just these 2 kids, but it's not worth the headaches & money I have to spend to stay licensed. So, my question is, has anyone given up their license, but still provided care? Did the licensors come check on you after you gave up your license? Please no hate messages regarding unlicensed providers. I don't plan to take on any more kids but these 2 I already have, and once I am ready to start the nursing program, they will need to find other care anyway. Thank you!

[NeedaVaca]

I really don't mean this as a hate message but I doubt anyone is going to advise you to do something that is illegal in your state...

[NoMoreJuice!]

I don't think you should have a problem. I totally understand your frustration, btw. If they stop by, don't open the door. If they catch you outside, say the kids are your niece/nephew/cousin/etc.

The reason I dog on unlicensed daycares so much is because so many are breaking HUGE rules, like common sense rules that save children's lives. There was a fire here a few years ago and a few kids passed away because the illegal provider didn't have smoke alarms. We all know the cases where babies are left in car seats, or unsafe sleeping conditions, and many die as a direct result of a neglectful or naiive provider. I've also seen plenty that ignore common sense about how many children they can realistically provide good care for. An illegal daycare was busted here in town with over 15 kids and one person watching them all.

Don't start hating on me about how bad things happen to licensed providers also. At least we have the training and the support of our licensing agencies to teach us about safe sleep and other ways to keep the kids safe. And a fire marshal that inspects me yearly and tests all my smoke alarms and escape routes. As long as you keep up on all the safety stuff that you practiced while licensed, nobody should have a problem.

[Unregistered]

Has anyone given up their license and chosen to operate unlicensed? I know it is illegal, but I am seriously considering giving up my license and only caring for 2 of the kids I have now. They are a sibling set that I really like, and whose parents have said they would rather bring them here than go elsewhere, even if I was unlicensed. I get along really well with the parents, our parenting styles are the same, etc. and I don't mind keeping these two on. But I have reached the point where I honestly hate my job, and now I may be losing a dcb and his baby sister who was supposed to start next month bc his mom might decide to stay home. I'm sick of feeling like I'm just here for parents to dump on and abuse my policies, and I put up with so much from this kid, only to find out that I will most likely be losing this baby and her brother - and the parents didn't even have the decency to tell me. The baby is supposed to start in 2 weeks, and when I asked what the exact start date would be, I got an ,"Oh, well I have to talk to my work and see if it will even be worth it to have the 2 kids in daycare." Really? It just ticks me off that I am apparently so expendable after a year and a half of caring for this kid.

Anyway, I'm meeting with advisors at the local college to take a look at their nursing program. I have some pre-req classes I need to take before I could start the program though, which will probably take me at least a year or 2 to complete. When I did the math I realized that I can make ends meet with just these 2 kids, but it's not worth the headaches & money I have to spend to stay licensed. So, my question is, has anyone given up their license, but still provided care? Did the licensors come check on you after you gave up your license? Please no hate messages regarding unlicensed providers. I don't plan to take on any more kids but these 2 I already have, and once I am ready to start the nursing program, they will need to find other care anyway. Thank you!

A friend of mine who was a pediatric nurse started a daycare because she didn't like her job, and wanted to stay home with her kids. She did get licensed, and it was a pain so she dropped it, BUT you don't have to be licensed in my state.

Most important is making sure you can still maintain insurance from your insurance company. Insurance is a private contract so it would be up to the underwriters, read it carefully. If you can't keep good insurance with an umbrella I would not go unlicensed.

I would also tell your parent that you have another inquiry and you need to have a start date or deposit to hold the space. Only issues I see here.

[NeedaVaca]

I guess I was wrong

[hsdcmama]

I don't think you should have a problem. I totally understand your frustration, btw. If they stop by, don't open the door. If they catch you outside, say the kids are your niece/nephew/cousin/etc.

The reason I dog on unlicensed daycares so much is because so many are breaking HUGE rules, like common sense rules that save children's lives. There was a fire here a few years ago and a few kids passed away because the illegal provider didn't have smoke alarms. We all know the cases where babies are left in car seats, or unsafe sleeping conditions, and many die as a direct result of a neglectful or naiive provider. I've also seen plenty that ignore common sense about how many children they can realistically provide good care for. An illegal daycare was busted here in town with over 15 kids and one person watching them all.

Don't start hating on me about how bad things happen to licensed providers also. At least we have the training and the support of our licensing agencies to teach us about safe sleep and other ways to keep the kids safe. And a fire marshal that inspects me yearly and tests all my smoke alarms and escape routes. As long as you keep up on all the safety stuff that you practiced while licensed, nobody should have a problem.

Oh I know, there are some people who absolutely have no business caring for children. My thoughts were yours exactly - I know what I'm doing, I'll still have the smoke alarms and baby gates and common sense I had when I was licensed. And I won't have any more dc kids besides these two.

[Heidi]

So in Maryland, you need a license for one family?

That's crazy, I think. How on earth do they enforce that?

I'm also in the camp of "well, it is illegal, so it's not okay, but that's a ridiculous rule and I might be tempted to break it myself" camp.

In WI it's 3. If I knew my neighbor had 4, I'd keep my mouth shut. If she had 15, I'd be calling it in weekly. I know BC will disagree and say "wrong is wrong", but I'd probably do it in your shoes.

[LysesKids]

Has anyone given up their license and chosen to operate unlicensed? I know it is illegal, but I am seriously considering giving up my license and only caring for 2 of the kids I have now. They are a sibling set that I really like, and whose parents have said they would rather bring them here than go elsewhere, even if I was unlicensed. I get along really well with the parents, our parenting styles are the same, etc. and I don't mind keeping these two on. But I have reached the point where I honestly hate my job, and now I may be losing a dcb and his baby sister who was supposed to start next month bc his mom might decide to stay home. I'm sick of feeling like I'm just here for parents to dump on and abuse my policies, and I put up with so much from this kid, only to find out that I will most likely be losing this baby and her brother - and the parents didn't even have the decency to tell me. The baby is supposed to start in 2 weeks, and when I asked what the exact start date would be, I got an ,"Oh, well I have to talk to my work and see if it will even be worth it to have the 2 kids in daycare." Really? It just ticks me off that I am apparently so expendable after a year and a half of caring for this kid.

Anyway, I'm meeting with advisors at the local college to take a look at their nursing program. I have some pre-req classes I need to take before I could start the program though, which will probably take me at least a year or 2 to complete. When I did the math I realized that I can make ends meet with just these 2 kids, but it's not worth the headaches & money I have to spend to stay licensed. So, my question is, has anyone given up their license, but still provided care? Did the licensors come check on you after you gave up your license? Please no hate messages regarding unlicensed providers. I don't plan to take on any more kids but these 2 I already have, and once I am ready to start the nursing program, they will need to find other care anyway. Thank you!

Being that I grew up in MD & I know it's illegal for even one, much less two? There's such a thing as legally unlicensed in some states, but MD isn't one of them. It can cause big problems if you get caught and heaven forbid something happens to one of the kids while in your care... your homeowners won't cover it and you could lose everything - it could also cost you going to nursing school if something happens where there is a CPS issue.

[Heidi]

Being that I grew up in MD & I know it's illegal for even one, much less two? There's such a thing as legally unlicensed in some states, but MD isn't one of them. It can cause big problems if you get caught and heaven forbid something happens to one of the kids while in your care... your homeowners won't cover it and you could lose everything - it could also cost you going to nursing school if something happens where there is a CPS issue.

that's true...hadn't thought of that...

[Thriftylady]

I personally wouldn't break the law to do it. I know you are a good provider, and would still continue to be so that isn't the thing really. I am also unlicensed, as it is legal for me here and I intend to stay that way. I have been licensed before and understand the headaches. My reason for telling you not to break the law is that you want to go into nursing. I have heard they have very strict background checks and I would hate to see you do something that would ruin that.

[e.j.]

If it were legal, I'd switch to unlicensed care in a heartbeat. Since you say it's illegal, I would advise against going unlicensed. It's just too much risk as far as I'm concerned. Would you consider watching the kids at their own house? In that case, it would be seen as babysitting vs. child care and that would be legal.

[Thriftylady]

If it were legal, I'd switch to unlicensed care in a heartbeat. Since you say it's illegal, I would advise against going unlicensed. It's just too much risk as far as I'm concerned. Would you consider watching the kids at their own house? In that case, it would be seen as babysitting vs. child care and that would be legal.

Good point!

[Heidi]

If it were legal, I'd switch to unlicensed care in a heartbeat. Since you say it's illegal, I would advise against going unlicensed. It's just too much risk as far as I'm concerned. Would you consider watching the kids at their own house? In that case, it would be seen as babysitting vs. child care and that would be legal.

LOL...

Hey, you could watch them at their house, but take a "field trip" to yours every day.

[hsdcmama]

In MD it is legal to watch other people's kids if they are a relative or friend, and if for a friend then for less than 20 hours per month. If anything were to happen, God forbid, I still would be okay bc no one would know how many hours a month the kids were with me. I understand that this is a risky thing, and certainly not the best-case scenario; but in this case I think it is what would work best for me and this particular family. I'm still weighing my options, but I hate that it's criminal for someone to care for another family's children without a license, even if that's what the family wants and it's a good, safe, caring situation. I totally get why these rules are in place, because there are certainly some very negligent cases. But I'm not one of them, you know?

[Blackcat31]

A friend of mine who was a pediatric nurse started a daycare because she didn't like her job, and wanted to stay home with her kids. She did get licensed, and it was a pain so she dropped it, BUT you don't have to be licensed in my state.

Most important is making sure you can still maintain insurance from your insurance company. Insurance is a private contract so it would be up to the underwriters, read it carefully. If you can't keep good insurance with an umbrella I would not go unlicensed.

I would also tell your parent that you have another inquiry and you need to have a start date or deposit to hold the space. Only issues I see here.

Whether a private contract or not, NOTHING would be covered if the provider was operating illegally.

The instant you break the law, you have ZERO protection and are at risk to lose everything. Including your home.

Even your contract/handbook is void if you operate illegally.

I guess I was wrong

:: :: never underestimate other posters...