Playing "Doctor"

[Blackcat31]

My instructions said that my application would be considered incomplete and I would be denied a license. It was made out to be a requirement of my licensing process.

That's why I suppose I get negative on here. I believe everything is so progressive and bureaucratic and it's just caring for children. Not to belittle it but that should be the easy part. It is basically a way for the state and the county to say "Look this is what we are doing right, the provider was wrong!" I don't want to be part of a system that makes me out to be the bad guy. As much as they say they are for you, some situations I've seen don't imply that.

Don't get me wrong, my initial licensor empowered me on many aspects of starting this business but that is one person.

I know it does say that but it doesn't make it true.

I've been working hard with a couple other ladies (long time providers) at the legislative level and this questionnaire is one of the things that has a lot of people in a tizzy because some counties are telling providers they HAVE to answer those questions when you do NOT.

I have gone head to head with DHS on many of our licensing procedures, standards and rules and there is alot of inaccuracy happening all over the state. We are working hard to stop that.

I am sorry your county told you this was required.

[MunchkinWrangler]

I know it does say that but it doesn't make it true.

I've been working hard with a couple other ladies (long time providers) at the legislative level and this questionnaire is one of the things that has a lot of people in a tizzy because some counties are telling providers they HAVE to answer those questions when you do NOT.

I have gone head to head with DHS on many of our licensing procedures, standards and rules and there is alot of inaccuracy happening all over the state. We are working hard to stop that.

I am sorry your county told you this was required.

See, and I was totally unaware. I think also that the fear of being denied, which is such a smart trick on their part, makes you comply with whatever they tell you because you want to be accepted. Only after the fact you realize you have more rights than they are telling you!

It makes me a little steamed to be honest. My whole licensing process took a full year. I have a clean record, they even questioned me on it because I have a spotless record. They said most people have at least a misdemeanor. They didn't believe I was who I said I was. That's the thanks I get for living a law abiding lifestyle.

[Blackcat31]

See, and I was totally unaware. I think also that the fear of being denied, which is such a smart trick on their part, makes you comply with whatever they tell you because you want to be accepted. Only after the fact you realize you have more rights than they are telling you!

It makes me a little steamed to be honest. My whole licensing process took a full year. I have a clean record, they even questioned me on it because I have a spotless record. They said most people have at least a misdemeanor. They didn't believe I was who I said I was. That's the thanks I get for living a law abiding lifestyle.

Perfect example! They do try and scare you...

It's not okay.

I too have been told it is virtually impossible to be in business for 20+ yrs and not have a citation. Its not impossible as I have done it (having multiple licensors too) and I know many others that have as well.

The gap is in the interpretation of the regulations.

Many counties have fabulous licensors while others have not-so-good ones that take the power they've been given and use it poorly.

One of the BIGGEST things lobbied for recently was training for ALL licensors. The same training not one put on by each county...ONE state implemented training.

Unfortunately while many of the things lobbied for were approved the training for licensors was tabled for later discussion I guess. :confused:

[Thriftylady]

Perfect example! They do try and scare you...

It's not okay.

I too have been told it is virtually impossible to be in business for 20+ yrs and not have a citation. Its not impossible as I have done it (having multiple licensors too) and I know many others that have as well.

The gap is in the interpretation of the regulations.

Many counties have fabulous licensors while others have not-so-good ones that take the power they've been given and use it poorly.

One of the BIGGEST things lobbied for recently was training for ALL licensors. The same training not one put on by each county...ONE state implemented training.

Unfortunately while many of the things lobbied for were approved the training for licensors was tabled for later discussion I guess. :confused:

I can see why they wouldn't think you can go that long without a citation. In Kansas, my licensing lady flat out told me when she wrote me up for a couple of little dumb things "I can't go back to the office without writing you up or my boss says I wasn't doing my job since nobody is perfect". Now I didn't have this board then and never thought her to show me the regs on the things she wrote me up on, because there weren't any regs for those items, just things she said "should be corrected for safety" such as a hot pad sitting on the stove (not on or near a burner).

[CalCare]

I think it's just absurd that woman said 'most people have at least a misdemeanor '... what in the world!!?? No, most people do not! That is just absurd. MOST people do not have any sort of police 'record' at all. That lady must be living in one heck of a neighborhood if she thinks is most people have a police record.

[Febby]

I can see why they wouldn't think you can go that long without a citation. In Kansas, my licensing lady flat out told me when she wrote me up for a couple of little dumb things "I can't go back to the office without writing you up or my boss says I wasn't doing my job since nobody is perfect". Now I didn't have this board then and never thought her to show me the regs on the things she wrote me up on, because there weren't any regs for those items, just things she said "should be corrected for safety" such as a hot pad sitting on the stove (not on or near a burner).

The licencors that keep showing up at my center in KY just go through things in each room until they either run out of regulations (and semi-made up regulations) or find a violation. But they leave the room as soon as they find one violation (and verify ratios). It's so ridiculous that I'm half tempted to just scribble a bunch of crayon all over the door as soon their van pulls in just so they'll write us up for that and then leave my room alone.

As for the original post, that question is absolutely ridiculous. Reminds me of some I've seen on center job applications.

[MunchkinWrangler]

I think it's just absurd that woman said 'most people have at least a misdemeanor '... what in the world!!?? No, most people do not! That is just absurd. MOST people do not have any sort of police 'record' at all. That lady must be living in one heck of a neighborhood if she thinks is most people have a police record.

Well I am in the Twin Cities! There has been a lot going on here as of late. But still, I know many people that don't have records and I find it disheartening that in my area the bulk of childcare providers have some sort of record. I do know that there is a big majority of providers who have spotless records also, so I did find this a funny statement.

[MunchkinWrangler]

Perfect example! They do try and scare you...

It's not okay.

I too have been told it is virtually impossible to be in business for 20+ yrs and not have a citation. Its not impossible as I have done it (having multiple licensors too) and I know many others that have as well.

The gap is in the interpretation of the regulations.

Many counties have fabulous licensors while others have not-so-good ones that take the power they've been given and use it poorly.

One of the BIGGEST things lobbied for recently was training for ALL licensors. The same training not one put on by each county...ONE state implemented training.

Unfortunately while many of the things lobbied for were approved the training for licensors was tabled for later discussion I guess. :confused:

The provider I knew didn't have any citations until the situation I pm'ed you about. It's sad really because she was a good provider. They also couldn't understand why she didn't have any! I started out my licensing journey with a correction order. It was really minor stuff and it was funny how some stuff she let me correct but other things she documented.

I think they are getting in trouble for 'not doing their jobs' when in fact they are and so is the provider.

[Claraskids]

Another MN provider here.
Just passed my first relicensing visit - Yay! However I remember that "doctor question" from last year's initial paperwork and how stupid I thought it was. Wasn't given a choice either. So many of the questions and paperwork I did seemed redundant that I just started answering with "refer to page ... and question ... for the information".
My basic answer to the doctor question was that unless huge red flags were going off to assume it was innocent play; redress the children; and continue on with the day as planned.

Blackcat, I was shocked to see in on of your other posts that the cost for licensing is dependent on what county in MN you live. I have to pay $200 each time! Now that I know you have never paid a fee, I will be bringing that up with my licensor to see how to get that changed!