Cook County Illinois DCFS HELP!

[sahm1225]

If you are licensed exempt, then you should be okay.

To the pp who said how will they know - when they come to do a licensing visit, it will be obvious that she does not have her home in gene daycare (no bed, personal things, etc).

In lllinois, we are not allowed to have a home daycare unless it is our primary residence. I'm not sure I would risk an inspection and then try to justify that I live there since the licensors are not typically that forgiving or flexible.

[Blackcat31]

No, it's in our building. I read in the orientation materials (not the actual DCFS licensing document) that "unattached basements in multi-unit buildings" are not allowed.

Personally, I wouldn't "pretend" to live there because that's too risky in my opinion.

What I would do though is contact a contractor and see about putting a doorway/stairs in the apartment above the basement (which I assume you live in) so that you have access to the basement.


Then the basement is no longer "detached" and would just be considered your basement. If everything else about the entire basement is up to licensing standards, I would think that (adding a stairwell/door) would be the easiest method of "fixing" your issue. Especially if you are planning on operating the child care ling term.

It would also be tax deductible so that part is a plus as well.

[mmunchkins]

In order for us to do that, we would have to completely remove the back of the entire house. That would cost 10's of thousands. I talked to my husband and it looks like we are going to move our bed down here so we can live here until I get the center going.

[sahm1225]

In order for us to do that, we would have to completely remove the back of the entire house. That would cost 10's of thousands. I talked to my husband and it looks like we are going to move our bed down here so we can live here until I get the center going.

But if you're only planning on watching 3 (which you can be exempt) , why would you need to move there?

[sahm1225]

You can call licensing and ask about it. You shouldn't have to give your name or anything.
I've heard of daycares doing daycare in 2 flats at my orientation years ago and it sounded like it was up to tour individual licensor.

[Second Home]

What about putting in a spiral staircase up to the main floor . It would take up less room and cost much less .

[MyAngels]

Really, you should just get with someone from licensing and have them come out to see the property and then do whatever they tell you needs to be done to be legal from the get go. I've dealt with DCFS for 25 years now and I've never found them to be difficult to deal with. Not wanting to contact them because you want to stay under the radar just doesn't seem like a great idea, at least to me.

[SilverSabre25]

It sounds like there's something they're not understanding about the situation. If you own the entire building, then I'd think an exception could be made. You need to get them ti show you in the regs exactly where it says your situation is disallowed.