Licensed to Unlicensed - Advice Please!

[LysesKids]

There are hoops to jump through?

It may be because I started out as a military provider. However, I just received my Maryland state license and it was a piece of cake. I laughed at myself for being nervous about not passing, after the inspection.

Advertise for more kids or create policies & enforce them. Each parent can attempt to dump on you once. It’s the way a provider folds or holds that determines if the provider successfully dumps on a provider.

I guess because I was a newbie @ the time, the classes & regs sort of caught me off guard. I was having to test well water, the community was trying to say I couldn't run a childcare home in the house I was buying etc... now it would be a piece of cake because I've been fully licensed in 4 different states. If it wasn't for some of the original childcare forums on Delphi 15 years ago I would not have survived the first few years

[hsdcmama]

There are hoops to jump through?

It may be because I started out as a military provider. However, I just received my Maryland state license and it was a piece of cake. I laughed at myself for being nervous about not passing, after the inspection.

Advertise for more kids or create policies & enforce them. Each parent can attempt to dump on you once. It’s the way a provider folds or holds that determines if the provider successfully dumps on a provider.

Ohhhh yes, there are hoops. It took me almost a year to get my license. It was a nightmare, and very expensive. It was way more than I bargained for, but I was determined that I was going to do this the right way, do everything by the book, etc. etc.. It's not just the cost or the technicalities of licensing - it's the constant pressure of being judged by the state & the parents, and feeling like a prisoner in my own home. To me, it's just not worth it.

KidGrind, I don't know what you mean when you say you think there is something "suspect" about me and my situation; I came here asking for advice, not judgement. I personally think some of the regulations are ridiculous, over-the-top, and too restrictive. I'm glad everything went smoothly for you; perhaps you have a newer home and did not have to deal with some of the issues I did; but for me it was not a "piece of cake". If I could afford to just close tomorrow and not have to bother with licensing anymore, I would. But I can't afford it, so here I am. I have been doing this for 2 years now, and I do enforce my policies with my parents; but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. I hate confrontation, but I will confront if I have to.

[hsdcmama]

Also, where I live it is not as simple as "just advertise to get more kids". I am in a rural area with lots of other daycares. Everyone is struggling to get enough business to make ends meet. If I could get full (or even nearly full) capacity, then maybe things wouldn't seem so bleak as they do now.

[Blackcat31]

I mean this with a kind heart but in light of everything you've said, maybe child care is not the right career option right now?

Have you considered working outside the home instead?

It just seems to be a better solution verses operating illegally and/or continuing to operate under capacity and under income.

Another option is to maybe nanny. Nannies have the potential to earn a nice income and often have the ability to go on outings, errands and other out of the house activities.

I don't know as I don't know all the details and the specifics of your situation but it just seems like maybe if you are feeling like you are, it's hard to get new kids, you need the income and you have gotten to the point of considering something that could backfire on you (providing care illegally) that maybe its time to explore other options.

[hsdcmama]

BlackCat you are exactly right; that's why I have decided to pursue nursing. Exploring the option of keeping only the 1 family is the only thing I could think of to keep myself from going crazy in the meantime. I really am not trying to come across as some cold-hearted person that doesn't like kids - I love kids, I have 3 of my own that I homeschool as well. It's the system I can't stand.

[LysesKids]

BlackCat you are exactly right; that's why I have decided to pursue nursing. Exploring the option of keeping only the 1 family is the only thing I could think of to keep myself from going crazy in the meantime. I really am not trying to come across as some cold-hearted person that doesn't like kids - I love kids, I have 3 of my own that I homeschool as well. It's the system I can't stand.

I get the homeschooling in MD too... I was a single mom when I started the license process with 2 of my kids HSing; not sure where in MD you are, but I get the out in the country part because it's actually less expensive than living in the city sometimes. I live outside a major city in a little town now & getting kids isn't easy regardless of state you live in

[Blackcat31]

BlackCat you are exactly right; that's why I have decided to pursue nursing. Exploring the option of keeping only the 1 family is the only thing I could think of to keep myself from going crazy in the meantime. I really am not trying to come across as some cold-hearted person that doesn't like kids - I love kids, I have 3 of my own that I homeschool as well. It's the system I can't stand.

.... for what it's worth, I don't at all think you are coming across as not liking kids. I totally get where you are coming from. This is a hard business to be in. With the movement in new regulations across the country and the change in parenting styles/methods etc over the last few years I can't say I would survive in this line of work had I just started out or only been around for 5 or less years.

The only reasons I believe I am still here is because I've been here for so long. I have a reputation in my area and haven't had to advertise or look for new enrollees in a long time. I do not face the same struggles as "newerish" providers do.

I am also lucky enough to be in a financial situation where my child care can support itself and bring home a nice profit too.

I think you are doing everything right....as far as checking out every avenue available to you and then choosing the right path based on what you've learned/discovered along the way.

This business is a continuous ebb and flow of good and bad and job security is a foreign concept in the child care world but you do what you have to do to make ends meet. It doesn't mean you are a bad or less than provider. Maybe it just means that it's not the right time for you to be in the field right now. It might signify a bigger change that is coming in your area/state etc...who knows.... but if you really are struggling and all clues are pointing toward an exit, I'd consider it.

You never know where the next chapter in life will lead you.

[LindseyA]

I am planning on going from licensed to legally unlicensed in two years. We are buying my grandmother's place in the near future, and figured then would be a good time to close up shop. I can legally watch 2 kids in my state without a license, which I plan to do. I know it may be very tempting to watch the 2 unlicensed in MD, but you really have to think about the consequences and repercussions if you get caught. Not to mention the constant sense of paranoia (I would certainly feel) day in and day out. I would think long and hard. Sorry, this situation sticks, especially where in another state this would be perfectly fine!

[KidGrind]

Ohhhh yes, there are hoops. It took me almost a year to get my license. It was a nightmare, and very expensive. It was way more than I bargained for, but I was determined that I was going to do this the right way, do everything by the book, etc. etc.. It's not just the cost or the technicalities of licensing - it's the constant pressure of being judged by the state & the parents, and feeling like a prisoner in my own home. To me, it's just not worth it.

KidGrind, I don't know what you mean when you say you think there is something "suspect" about me and my situation; I came here asking for advice, not judgement. I personally think some of the regulations are ridiculous, over-the-top, and too restrictive. I'm glad everything went smoothly for you; perhaps you have a newer home and did not have to deal with some of the issues I did; but for me it was not a "piece of cake". If I could afford to just close tomorrow and not have to bother with licensing anymore, I would. But I can't afford it, so here I am. I have been doing this for 2 years now, and I do enforce my policies with my parents; but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. I hate confrontation, but I will confront if I have to.

I meant exactly what I wrote which was, “something is suspect”. What that entails I do not know. Suspect does not equal guilt. Frankly, it is none of my business. And as I previously wrote you could be one of the greatest providers in Maryland. I do not know. You asked for opinions/advice and I gave mine. An opinion you do not like does not equal a judgement.

With all that written, you have your license now. My understanding is the inspections are yearly unless they receive a complaint.

Yes, it was very easy for me. I’ve been a military provider for years. I’ve been inspected at least monthly sometimes multiple times by different entities.

If it was harder for you, I am sorry to learn of this, even so my logic remains, “You did it! Why not maintain the standards?”

I do not advise anyone to care for children illegally as the ramifications if something goes wrong can be life altering. I wish you the best!