Help! How Can I Find Out How Many Kids A Home Daycare Owner Watches?

[countrygirlx]

Hello,

I need some help. My husband's ex wife (whom he pays child support for for 1 child) owns her own large family home daycare here in Massachusetts. We know she lies about how many kids she has in her daycare in order to claim that she makes no income in order to get a hefty child support payment. Is there a way to go through the state to see how many kids are registered at the daycare? I know she has 1 assistant as well (part time), but other than that it is just her who watches the kids.

[Michael]

I don't believe she would need to register each child with the state. She would need to abide by the ratios that she is licensed for. You could always enquire from her as to how many children she can care for. Your state may not require her to be licensed if she is below a certain number as per your states guidelines. Your states licensing standards can be viewed here https://www.daycare.com/states.html

[countrygirlx]

Thanks. I should say I do know she is licensed, not sure if that can help me or not. I know nothing about the laws around home daycares unfortunately.

We would ask her, but there is no casual communication between them (my husband and her). Everything is through court orders because she is unable to co parent and follow judges orders. If she was a truthful individual I wouldnt have to try and find this all out!

[Michael]

You can find out how many she is licensed for. She probably has to post her license number when she advertises. You can always contact you state childcare licensing agency.

Child Care Licensing Agency
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 988-6600
Fax: (617) 988-2451

[e.j.]

Here's a link that may help you: http://www.eec.state.ma.us/ChildCare...rlyEduMap.aspx

It will tell you what her "capacity" is which only tells you how many kids she's allowed to enroll at any given time. (For example, I'm licensed for 6 but there have been times when I've had 11 kids enrolled. I had a mix of full time, part time and drop in kids but only cared for 6 kids at any one time. There have been other times when I've only had 4 or 5 kids enrolled.) It doesn't necessarily tell you how many kids she actually has enrolled in her care.

Her licensor's contact information is provided on that site so you could try calling the licensor but since we don't have to send enrollment information to the state when a child is signed up with us, the licensor may not know how many kids your husband's ex has enrolled currently. She might be able to tell you how many kids were enrolled the last time she inspected but I'm not sure what info they're willing to give out. Not sure how else you'd find out for sure unless you had someone pose as a potential client who asked her outright during the interview process. Not sure I'd recommend that, though.

[spedmommy4]

How many she is licensed for would not give you much useful information. You would need to know what she charges, how many are full time and part time, etc.

The really useful information would come from the IRS. Parents who pay for childcare are allowed to claim it on their taxes and the parents would identify her as the person they pay it to. (So the IRS would no if she isn't claiming the income)

If you suspect that she is lying about her income, then it's best to consult an attorney to see if you would be allowed to make her prove her income via tax records.

[Preschool/daycare teacher]

Not sure how else you'd find out for sure unless you had someone pose as a potential client who asked her outright during the interview process. Not sure I'd recommend that, though.

I don't know that I'd recommend it, but someone could also call her and ask questions as if they are looking for childcare and then casually ask how many children she cares for. That's a question I'd want to ask if I was going to put my child in daycare, so it's a common question, I'd imagine.

[Blackcat31]

If you suspect that she is lying about her income, then it's best to consult an attorney to see if you would be allowed to make her prove her income via tax records.

Take the legal route.

[Josiegirl]

How many she is licensed for would not give you much useful information. You would need to know what she charges, how many are full time and part time, etc.

The really useful information would come from the IRS. Parents who pay for childcare are allowed to claim it on their taxes and the parents would identify her as the person they pay it to. (So the IRS would no if she isn't claiming the income)

If you suspect that she is lying about her income, then it's best to consult an attorney to see if you would be allowed to make her prove her income via tax records.

Wouldn't she have had to prove her income when she went to court for child support? Just curious because I really don't know. She might be taking a mountain of deductions to claim little income.

[nannyde]

It doesn't matter what she makes. It's what she nets after expenses. You couldn't get that from the state. I don't know of any state that requires providers to send in the enrolled children when they come and go.

[countrygirlx]

Thank you everybody for your input!

I may try calling her Licensor first and see if they are any help. If not, I'll try some of the other advice.

[midaycare]

Hello,

I need some help. My husband's ex wife (whom he pays child support for for 1 child) owns her own large family home daycare here in Massachusetts. We know she lies about how many kids she has in her daycare in order to claim that she makes no income in order to get a hefty child support payment. Is there a way to go through the state to see how many kids are registered at the daycare? I know she has 1 assistant as well (part time), but other than that it is just her who watches the kids.

I'm just going to give you advice because I've been there - I'm a second wife and my DH paid a huge amount for cs because the ex-wife lied about income.

My advice is to let it go. Fighting about cs doesn't help anyone, particularly the child. I understand the struggle, and the unfairness. But long term, your DH will have a better relationship with his child/ren if he - and you - aren't bringing up cs or accusing the ex of hiding money.

The state knows what it's doing with cs. If she is registered, she can't hide money. Her deductions show on her tax forms. If you have reason to want a new cs evaluation, and it's a good one, the state will usually do one for a small fee.

:hug: It's not always easy to co-parent. My only other advice is stay out of stuff. If your DH wants to pursue a smaller cs, let HIM do it.

[ColorfulSunburst]

... stay out of stuff. If your DH wants to pursue a smaller cs, let HIM do it.

[Ariana]

I'm just going to give you advice because I've been there - I'm a second wife and my DH paid a huge amount for cs because the ex-wife lied about income.

My advice is to let it go. Fighting about cs doesn't help anyone, particularly the child. I understand the struggle, and the unfairness. But long term, your DH will have a better relationship with his child/ren if he - and you - aren't bringing up cs or accusing the ex of hiding money.

The state knows what it's doing with cs. If she is registered, she can't hide money. Her deductions show on her tax forms. If you have reason to want a new cs evaluation, and it's a good one, the state will usually do one for a small fee.

:hug: It's not always easy to co-parent. My only other advice is stay out of stuff. If your DH wants to pursue a smaller cs, let HIM do it.

All of this x100

[countrygirlx]

Thank you to all who have responded so far! It's greatly appreciated.

For those of you who are offering unwarranted advice on my situation, no disrespect but that isn't what I asked. Me posting on here is just to simply see if anyone who has experience with home daycare (since I do not) can offer up some helpful tips. I am well aware what is the most beneficial to the children during custody battles and arrangements, and what can be harmful. We have been dealing with this unwanted drama for 5+ years, all of which I have never said one word to my husband's ex wife. I have bigger things to focus on (like our own children) than joining their battle. I just like to do research and help out my husband behind the scenes when I can. She has been investigated by the state before because of previous parent complaints within her daycare(we have heard about through the grapevine if you will) and in regards to our personal situation, I have had a restraining order on her for harassment for 3 years and she has been found in contempt in court for not following court orders in regards to their custody agreement. I have become quite an expert in staying in my lane and using that to my advantage.

Now that I have thrown some brief history in there so I don't get any more replies of someone suggesting what I should do personally, I would still appreciate any other helpful tips in response to my initial question