Questions anbout Licensing Inspections

[Gemma]

I was wondering: what do you guys do when the License inspector rings the doorbell?
Do you let him/her in and then go about your business, continuing what you were doing, as if they weren't there, or do you follow him/her around?
What if you're outside? Do you come in or let your License Inspector go into your home alone?
How long does a visit lasts and how often do you get a visit?

[NoMoreJuice!]

I was wondering: what do you guys do when the License inspector rings the doorbell?

Put away the lysol wipes that were on the counter and then answer the door.

Do you let him/her in and then go about your business, continuing what you were doing, as if they weren't there, or do you follow him/her around?

I have two levels that we use for daycare, and my assistant is usually downstairs with her group, so I follow the surveyor around the first floor answering any questions she/he has, then I let my assistant take over in the basement. We always follow them around though, except for the backyard. We are allowed to correct things they see out of place (electrical outlet uncovered, lysol wipes on the kitchen counter, diaper rash cream not locked up, etc). If we correct the issue while they're there, it looks better on the report.

What if you're outside? Do you come in or let your License Inspector go into your home alone?

We come in and follow the surveyor. This also means we all have to wash hands, which they often like to see.


How long does a visit lasts and how often do you get a visit?

I get a visit once per year around my renewal time. They usually last about 45 minutes, sometimes more now that I have 12 kiddos and they go through every single piece of paper required for each child.

[Play Care]

After the "Dear LORD in HEAVEN!" thought, I slap a smile on my face and answer the door as if I'm really happy to see her::::

Typically pop in visits are quick - they usually ask who's in, do a head count and ask if you have questions or concerns, etc. 10-15 minutes tops. Obviously they are looking around for any major violations (too many kids, unsafe conditions, etc) I try to keep the kids on schedule and my licensor is good with that.


Our annual inspections are scheduled and they are longer, with the licensor checking everything and casually interviewing the kids, etc.
In this case, I usually go about my business and let her do her thing. We only use my main level so it's not as if she's all over.

[Unregistered]

For annual inspections/renewal my worker calls/emails to ask what dates are good for her to come and time. The worker wants to see an indoor activity, outdoor activity, and a meal service. She usually stays 2-2.5 hrs to be able to see all this and check my paperwork. I just go about my day as usual and she just follows us around to observe.

[daycarediva]

After the "Dear LORD in HEAVEN!" thought, I slap a smile on my face and answer the door as if I'm really happy to see her::::

Typically pop in visits are quick - they usually ask who's in, do a head count and ask if you have questions or concerns, etc. 10-15 minutes tops. Obviously they are looking around for any major violations (too many kids, unsafe conditions, etc) I try to keep the kids on schedule and my licensor is good with that.


Our annual inspections are scheduled and they are longer, with the licensor checking everything and casually interviewing the kids, etc.
In this case, I usually go about my business and let her do her thing. We only use my main level so it's not as if she's all over.

The bolded made me LOL!

Same, I open the door, help the kids introduce themselves, and tell her to ask if she needs me then go on about our day.

[Gemma]

Put away the lysol wipes that were on the counter and then answer the door.

.

Thanks for your reply!

...what's with the Lysol wipes? They're not allowed, or not appropriate for kitchen countertop?

[Gemma]

After the "Dear LORD in HEAVEN!" thought, I slap a smile on my face and answer the door as if I'm really happy to see her::::

.

I can so imagine the scene! ::::

My License consultant was just here but I didn't hear the doorbell so she called me on the phone while leaving the driveway, she said she was running late for other appointments, made me feel not so important, in a good way.
..I wonder if she'll be back

[NoMoreJuice!]

Thanks for your reply!

...what's with the Lysol wipes? They're not allowed, or not appropriate for kitchen countertop?

Must be stored 4.5 feet and above, or locked if in a lower cabinet. It's the one thing I ALWAYS forget about when they show up, so I've trained myself to scan the counter before I answer the door.

[Gemma]

Must be stored 4.5 feet and above, or locked if in a lower cabinet. It's the one thing I ALWAYS forget about when they show up, so I've trained myself to scan the counter before I answer the door.

I didn't know! ...glad I heard it from you instead of Licensing!

[NoMoreJuice!]

It depends on your state. Even shampoo in the shower is against the regulations in Kansas. You have to read line by line down your regulations, because if you don't find out what's allowed and what isn't, your inspector will point it out.

Also in KS we have an online portal where parents can search for info on us, and it shows the last three inspections in detail. Every single tube of Neosporin we left in an unlocked drawer, a t we forgot to cross or an i we forgot to dot in the paperwork, everything goes on there. So I'm very careful to follow every reg perfectly so I don't get a huge list of things put on my record. Even if they're silly things, like forgetting where I put my dog's rabies vaccination records, they haunt us forever.

[Febby]

It depends on your state. Even shampoo in the shower is against the regulations in Kansas. You have to read line by line down your regulations, because if you don't find out what's allowed and what isn't, your inspector will point it out.

Also in KS we have an online portal where parents can search for info on us, and it shows the last three inspections in detail. Every single tube of Neosporin we left in an unlocked drawer, a t we forgot to cross or an i we forgot to dot in the paperwork, everything goes on there. So I'm very careful to follow every reg perfectly so I don't get a huge list of things put on my record. Even if they're silly things, like forgetting where I put my dog's rabies vaccination records, they haunt us forever.

I've worked in child care in a couple different states, and, yes, it's definitely different in different states.

All of our inspections are online in KY for the last five years (I think it's five years), but it shows the full report which lists every applicable regulation and whether or not it's in compliance. An annual inspection is ~15-25 pages! Most investigations (whether from a complaint, self report, or random) are 2-3 pages. Unless the report just references a police report, then it's usually just 1.

[nanglgrl]

Good question! I initially freak out and then a deep breath before I open the door. I have to give myself a second to remember that this is what I've been stressing over for the last year. I have to remind myself that I've got this and that I've been over the regs again and again to make sure I'm never slipping. I have to do this or I will answer the door with a nasty, annoyed look on my face. Then I put on a big fake smile.
Recently our inspectors have started going into every space of our homes and I have been wondering what others do about this. I use the basement for daycare. My main floor is used at arrival and departure and we use the kitchen there. The 2nd floor is the master bedroom and is never used for daycare and it's actually against regs for me to use that space. I don't want the inspector unsupervised in my bedroom but she is allowed to go there. Do I follow her with the kids in tow even thought they aren't allowed up there?