Question For Licensed Providers

[momofboys]

Unless you are worried about abuse to me it sounds like you are just being nosey & are concerned she may take business from you? In my state we are not required to be licensed. I wonder how much time you have been spying on her & in so doing are you taking care away from the kids in your care? Just mind your own business unless you suspect something abusive & it doesn't sound like that is the case. She could have some kids who are PT or drop-ins. Having 4 families doesn't mean you are over your limit.

[jen]

I am licensed and I would NOT report her. I would assume that the parents of said children were perfectly capable of finding suitable care for their children and that I and the State butt out.

The only time I would consider reporting is if I suspected abuse.

As for being a mandated reporter, the definition is:

"When a mandated reporter knows or has reason to believe that a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused by a person responsible for the child's care, or has been so within the previous three years, a report must be made. A person responsible for a child's care includes family members, teachers, day care providers, and coaches, and can include anyone lawfully entrusted with a child's care."

If you don't have any reason to believe that the chilren are being neglected or physically or sexually abused, then leave it alone.

[Crystal]

I find it interesting that many don't consider the "provider" leaving children unnatteneded while she goes outside to smoke a cause for concern. Especially when many have suggested, in other threads, that providers are being negligent when they go right outside to the bus stop....and say themselves that they cannot even take out the garbage during the day because they'd be leaving chil;dren unnattended for a few seconds......

[Crystal]

[QUOTE=DBug;113171]I wouldn't say anything or turn her in unless I had reason to believe there was an abusive or reportable situation happening (ie. proof). I certainly wouldn't want anyone reporting me unless they had a VERY good reason to! [QUOTE]

Certainly no one wants to be reported. Those that care make sure they follow all of the regs.

[Gurdy]

I find it interesting that many don't consider the "provider" leaving children unnatteneded while she goes outside to smoke a cause for concern. Especially when many have suggested, in other threads, that providers are being negligent when they go right outside to the bus stop....and say themselves that they cannot even take out the garbage during the day because they'd be leaving chil;dren unnattended for a few seconds......

A cause for concern... Maybe, abuse that we are mandated to report- NO.

If we had to report everything that we didn't agree with we would be calling the state all the time.
The op doesn't even know that this provider is doing anything wrong!

[jen]

Why is provider in quotes? Is is because she's not licensed? It sort of give them impression that you don't think she is an actual daycare provider?

I find it interesting that many don't consider the "provider" leaving children unnatteneded while she goes outside to smoke a cause for concern. Especially when many have suggested, in other threads, that providers are being negligent when they go right outside to the bus stop....and say themselves that they cannot even take out the garbage during the day because they'd be leaving chil;dren unnattended for a few seconds......

[Cat Herder]

I would most likely try to befriend her with offerings of occasional group play time or shared sprinkler days with picnics.

I would then start talking about contracts, rules, regs and asking how she deals with some of our restrictions. Our "hoops" have been suspended mid-air and set on fire. It would be awesome to have a new best friend!!

I would base my next step on her responses. If she needs help and did not know I would help. If she knew and was going to continue regardless I would mention it to my CCR&R.

At that point the ball would be in their court.

[Sunshine44]

I wouldn't report, but I do think it's irresponsible to step outside to smoke...If she has a screen door and is standing at the door smoking and can see the children at all times...ok, whatever. Honestly though, I think smoking in front of children isn't the best idea and I probably wouldn't pick a provider who smoked because I wouldn't want my daughter around it. (I myself used to smoke and quit).

[AnythingsPossible]

Unless you are worried about abuse to me it sounds like you are just being nosey & are concerned she may take business from you? In my state we are not required to be licensed. I wonder how much time you have been spying on her & in so doing are you taking care away from the kids in your care? Just mind your own business unless you suspect something abusive & it doesn't sound like that is the case. She could have some kids who are PT or drop-ins. Having 4 families doesn't mean you are over your limit.

I am not concerned about her taking business away from me as I am currently full as I have consistently been since I opened. As far as being nosey and not paying attention to the children in my care, her drive way is visible from my dining room. When I am at the table supervising breakfast, I see people dropping off and I have seen them picking up. I am not spying on her, just happened to notice. In our state, 4 families does put you over your limit as you can only watch 2 children before being required to have a license.
I guess basically it ticks me off that I have paid the money needed to pay and gone through all the licensing BS to be legal and she hasn't. But I guess to each their own. I will not be reporting her unless I feel the children are in danger. Frankly, nothing would probably be done about it anyway. Why we are required to be licensed when people operate without them all the time and get away with it is beyond me.

[Michelle]

well , one cool reason I love being licensed is, I get big checks from the food program, you can't be in this program if your not licensed.
also, you usually get better clients, and if you take subsidized, you have to be licensed or at least fingerprinted.
I'm glad you're not going to turn her in. Maybe just tell her all the benefits of
being licensed.

[Crystal]

A cause for concern... Maybe, abuse that we are mandated to report- NO.

If we had to report everything that we didn't agree with we would be calling the state all the time.
The op doesn't even know that this provider is doing anything wrong!

Well, I don't think I ever said to report everything we don't agree with, some things clearly are reportable and some aren't. In Ca. if I knew someone was operating unlicensed, and something horrible happened and I had failed to report it, I would be in trouble. This happened here when I first started daycare. A woman down the street from me was operating unlicensed and her boyfriend was a registered sex offender. He molested 2 DCK and one of her children before licensing became aware of the situation. SO, HERE you are required to report an unlicensed program.

Also, here in Ca. it is illegal for a provider to smoke AT ALL, anywhere on the premises, when children are present. So, I'd have to report that too.

The whole point is, if it is ILLEGAL, report it.

[Cat Herder]

Crystal is right. Here it is Illegal to smoke on the property while daycare kids are present. Even my visiting Mother.

It is also Illegal to keep more than 2 children for pay, even if they are related to you, without being registered/inspected/pay fees, have a CDA/TCC and attending mandatory annual training hours.

It is different everywhere, but here what this provider (OP's Post) was doing was completely Illegal. My hope is that she just did not know...

Not everyone thinks of keeping a few neighborhood kids as "Providing Daycare", YKWIM? The CCR&R would simply go over and help her get legal, we even have a toy/equipment lending library . That is a huge part of what they do.

The provider would only then be in trouble if she continued operating illegally AFTER the resources were offered, here.

[kidkair]

I am not concerned about her taking business away from me as I am currently full as I have consistently been since I opened. As far as being nosey and not paying attention to the children in my care, her drive way is visible from my dining room. When I am at the table supervising breakfast, I see people dropping off and I have seen them picking up. I am not spying on her, just happened to notice. In our state, 4 families does put you over your limit as you can only watch 2 children before being required to have a license.
I guess basically it ticks me off that I have paid the money needed to pay and gone through all the licensing BS to be legal and she hasn't. But I guess to each their own. I will not be reporting her unless I feel the children are in danger. Frankly, nothing would probably be done about it anyway. Why we are required to be licensed when people operate without them all the time and get away with it is beyond me.

If this really bugs you, why are you letting her get away with it?