License or not?

[mrs.meg]

I am not licensed in my state (KY). I do not usually have more than 3 other than my own, so my state doesn't require it unless you have more. I just wondered what the advantages are, other than having more children, of being licensed. I am having trouble finding replacements right now, but do you all think being licensed brings in more kids? I also do not know if I want to do this forever. I may just go back to work when my kids are in school.

[Unregistered]

I am not licensed in my state (KY). I do not usually have more than 3 other than my own, so my state doesn't require it unless you have more. I just wondered what the advantages are, other than having more children, of being licensed. I am having trouble finding replacements right now, but do you all think being licensed brings in more kids? I also do not know if I want to do this forever. I may just go back to work when my kids are in school.

You will definitely get more clients by being licensed. I wouldn't have one child in my area if I wasn't. Parents just won't risk it these days.

[mac60]

Absolutely not. One family that I interviewed, the dad asked if I was licensed, and the mom piped up and said "What difference does it make, there are good and bad in both, we should be the judge of what we feel qualifies for someone to care for our children. It s only a piece of paper."

In my area, all providers I know are NOT licensed and they are always full. It makes no difference in my opinion. Like others have said in the past, just a piece of paper.

Want to add: Maybe if it was law that you had to be licensed in your state and you were not, then I could see that making a big difference. But if it is a state where you are not required to be, then that is when I feel that it won't matter. I think the economy is a big problem right now of providers having openings.

Also, I know in my state if it ever comes to being forced to become licensed, it will cause a significant increase in daycare rates which the parents will not like. Parents choose home daycare because it offers a homey atmosphere for their child and more one on one vs a center. The state forces providers with stupid rules and takes away from that homey atmostphere. Every child and baby is different, and the state's rules do not allow for that individuality in each and every child. Let me state....this is my opinion based on how I see it in my neck of the woods.

[Unregistered]

Absolutely not. One family that I interviewed, the dad asked if I was licensed, and the mom piped up and said "What difference does it make, there are good and bad in both, we should be the judge of what we feel qualifies for someone to care for our children. It s only a piece of paper."

In my area, all providers I know are NOT licensed and they are always full. It makes no difference in my opinion. Like others have said in the past, just a piece of paper.

Want to add: Maybe if it was law that you had to be licensed in your state and you were not, then I could see that making a big difference. But if it is a state where you are not required to be, then that is when I feel that it won't matter. I think the economy is a big problem right now of providers having openings.

Also, I know in my state if it ever comes to being forced to become licensed, it will cause a significant increase in daycare rates which the parents will not like. Parents choose home daycare because it offers a homey atmosphere for their child and more one on one vs a center. The state forces providers with stupid rules and takes away from that homey atmostphere. Every child and baby is different, and the state's rules do not allow for that individuality in each and every child. Let me state....this is my opinion based on how I see it in my neck of the woods.

Well it all depends on where you live then because where I live in VA, I would NEVER get away with that.
And I would have ZERO clients without a permit or license.

[Unregistered]

getting started

I want to do night care and weekends. What would be the first thing to do to get started?

[mac60]

Well it all depends on where you live then because where I live in VA, I would NEVER get away with that.
And I would have ZERO clients without a permit or license.

Exactly, that is what I said. If you are required to be licensed, then YES, it would probably make a difference. If you are not required to have a license, it doesn't....at least here. And I do know that in VA you are allowed so many without being licensed.

[Unregistered]

Exactly, that is what I said. If you are required to be licensed, then YES, it would probably make a difference. If you are not required to have a license, it doesn't....at least here. And I do know that in VA you are allowed so many without being licensed.

You have to have a county permit for 5 or less, even if it is one child in VA you have to have a permit. You have to have a license for over 5.


No permit here, no clients.

[Unregistered]

You have to have a county permit for 5 or less, even if it is one child in VA you have to have a permit. You have to have a license for over 5.


No permit here, no clients.

I'm in VA and you do NOT need a license or permit to care for children. I have been doing childcare in my home for 16yrs . It goes by a point system of 16 or UP to 5 children. which ever comes first. being certified OR regristered is a choice but not required. you should get your facts straight before giving false information. the DSS has all the information . you should read up

[tymaboy]

The kids I have right now are cuz I am registered but the parents that I have on my waiting list do not care if I am registered or not. When I 1st started daycare it helped me being registered but now that I have been doing it for a few year word of mouth works well.

You will find parents that want to take their kids a registered provider cuz they think they their kids will be better provided for. Then there are parent that relize that it does not matter that the provider can be just as good with out the it.

[missaimee]

Get Licensed!

The advantage of being licensed is the fact that parents have peace of mind. Someone is regulating you, checking occasionally to make sure you are following the laws and really are a great child care provider.

1. Your State Licensor checks your home to make sure it is safe for children
2. Criminal background checks are done on everyone in your household over the age of 10, at least in my state
3. You have the option of joining a food program that will reimburse you for food costs - this gives you additional monthly income (my checks are always between $400 and $550) and assures the parent that their children are being fed healthy, balanced meals
4. Certain classes and trainings are required, which proves to parents that you have been trained about child development, business practices, anti-discrimination laws, and SIDS/Shaken Baby Syndrome. The trainings vary from state to state - I live in WI, and we have very strict daycare laws.
5. Generally, you have to have some sort of liability insurance for your daycare and pets, if any. This is not very expensive, and protects you in the event a child is injured or claims abuse, etc.
6. The tax breaks are great - you can write off damn near everything you buy, as well as part of your mortgage, utilities, cable, phone, etc. You just have to keep receipts and be willing to become a paper person. This separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

I would NEVER operate an unregulated child care center. It doesn't matter how great you are, or whether you can get clients through word or mouth. Regulation protects you and your family. If you don't bother to get licensed, and a child dies or is seriously injured while in your care, there is a good chance you and your family will lose everything. Can you imagine being sued for several hundred thousand dollars worth of medical bills? Or a wrongful death suit? Can you afford to pay that? If not, protect yourself.

Unless you have something to hide, there is no reason not to be licensed. I certainly would never bring my child to an unregulated daycare, and most people who can actually AFFORD to pay their daycare bills want the best for their child. Being regulated will get you better clients.

[mac60]

"Unless you have something to hide, there is no reason not to be licensed", quoted from above....

OMG, that is such a misstatement and I find it offending to those providers on here that are NOT licensed. All a piece of paper does is give parents a "FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY".

[melissa ann]

OMG, that is such a misstatement and I find it offending to those providers on here that are NOT licensed. All a piece of paper does is give parents a "FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY" quoted from above.


What's to say, but very well said, Mac60.

[missaimee]

Mac60, I don't think we will ever agree on anything.

Being licensed does not give parents a false sense of security - it gives them a very real sense of security. If the regulating agency misses things, and the licensed child care really isn't up to par, or is doing something illegal, that is a fault with the agency. It doesn't mean that licensing isn't necessary to ensure that children are being properly cared for. Laws and regulations are in place for the protection of children.

I would wonder why you refuse to be licensed? What could your reason possibly be? I can't think of a single reason not to be as professional as possible, and recognized as such by the state, unless, like I said, you have something to hide. That is my opinion, and the opinion of many parents, and if it offends you, I have a right to it regardless.

[sweetcinna]

I am not licensed in my state (KY). I do not usually have more than 3 other than my own, so my state doesn't require it unless you have more. I just wondered what the advantages are, other than having more children, of being licensed. I am having trouble finding replacements right now, but do you all think being licensed brings in more kids? I also do not know if I want to do this forever. I may just go back to work when my kids are in school.

Listen I've been a daycare provider(in a center, in my home and a nanny) for 16 years and have never been licensed, and in the state that i live in, if you keep under 5 children, you don't have to have that lil darn piece of paper nor do i need state all up in my business. Most of my parents have come seeking and unlicensed provider cause they either A. had a bad experience at a licensed daycare or B. they like the family envoriment that i provide. Now this doesn't mean that i do not hold myself to Licensing standard i think this is the biggest misconception about unlicensed providers. I would check your local licensing agency and just educate yourself, and don't stress over it. They are not going to shut you down, unless your breaking rules of your state.

[mac60]

I have several parents in my home 2 or more times per day dropping off and picking up their children. It is THEIR children I am caring for.

Honestly, I think those who use the excuse--What are you hiding, what could your reason possibly be to not get licensed---I think you are all jealous of those of us who live in states where we don't have to be licensed. I know if I was forced to be licensed, I would be DONE, I simply don't want any part of the licensing nightmares.

Why would I go thru the expense of becomining licensed and everything that goes with it, when I can have a home business and do it legally without a license.

We can agree to disagree on this one.

STATEMENT FROM A PARENT I WAS INTERVIEWING WHEN DAD ASKED IF I WAS LICENSED....MOM PIPED UP AND BASICALLY SAID IT DOESN'T MATTER, IT IS ONLY A PIECE OF PAPER. WE ARE DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP EACH DAY, WE WILL SEE AND KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. SO, NOT EVERYONE THINKS THAT LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER MAKES SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO BE A PROVIDER.