Question For Licensed Providers

[AnythingsPossible]

I am 95% sure that my neighbor is watching more children then you are allowed to in our state without being licensed. Would you turn her in, or just let it be?? The thing of it is, without completly spying on her, I am not 100% sure the kids are all there at the same time, but I have seen 4 different families dropping kids off at her house.
My dilema is that 1, I know her house is to small to be watching a decent amount of kids as I have been in the house. 2, I had to jump through the hoops to get licensed so why shouldn't she. 3, I have seen her do things that you definately shouldn't do--standing on her back patio smoking while the kids are in the house (I can see this from my kitchen window) I guess it's good she isn't smoking in the house, but there is no way she could be supervising them the way her house is set up.
Am I *itchy neighbor if I turn her in, or a bad provider if I don't????

[DBug]

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!

I'm not licensed, and there are lots of home daycares opening up around here that aren't either. The thing is, some of them are just SAHMs that don't know that even though we're unlicensed, there are still laws that apply to us. And of course, some of them do know better, but take too many kids anyway.

Because of that, I've made a point of telling every parent I come in contact with what the ratios are that apply to my daycare. I've even put it on my website, which is one of the first that comes up when searching for care in my area. I figure if at least the parents know, they can find a home daycare that is following the rules, and likely they'll also let their friends know so that they can look for legal care as well.

I think it's really the parent's responsibility to look for good quality care, and if I can help them do that, great! On the other hand, if they're okay with their child being unsupervised while the provider takes a smoke break, that's their responsibility too.

Now, if you had seen your neighbour beating a child, that would be a completely different matter ...

[laundrymom]

Agree. But I'd just ask her. Say hey I see you have higher enrollment!! Congrats on the license!! We have the best career!! Talk to you later.

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!

I'm not licensed, and there are lots of home daycares opening up around here that aren't either. The thing is, some of them are just SAHMs that don't know that even though we're unlicensed, there are still laws that apply to us. And of course, some of them do know better, but take too many kids anyway.

Because of that, I've made a point of telling every parent I come in contact with what the ratios are that apply to my daycare. I've even put it on my website, which is one of the first that comes up when searching for care in my area. I figure if at least the parents know, they can find a home daycare that is following the rules, and likely they'll also let their friends know so that they can look for legal care as well.

I think it's really the parent's responsibility to look for good quality care, and if I can help them do that, great! On the other hand, if they're okay with their child being unsupervised while the provider takes a smoke break, that's their responsibility too.

Now, if you had seen your neighbour beating a child, that would be a completely different matter ...

[youretooloud]

I'd tend to leave it alone, unless you see it as a safety risk. I don't know what each state's laws are.

I know Michigan is very strict. But, other states don't really bother much. In some states, you can be regulated and you don't have to be licensed.

If it's a strict state, then I'd consider turning her in, because it's not fair to those who jump through the hoops.

[Stacy214]

UGh...I'm half and half on this....the part that worked your butt off for your license would be calling but then like DBug said you wouldn't want anyone calling on you for anything unless you suspected abuse...This is really tough! Do you ever talk to her ?? I like what laundrymom said ...be sweet and get the facts too.

[sharlan]

One side of me says MYOB unless you see something unsafe. The parents know what's going on. The other side says that you have no idea how safe the inside of the house is, report it.

[Gurdy]

I am licensed and I would not report her unless I really thought there was something dangerous going on.
I chose to "jump through the hoops" and obtain my license, but that does not mean that I get to make that decision for someone else.

[kidkair]

I'd talk to my licensor about it because the laws are there for safety reasons. Having too many kids in a small area and not providing adequate supervision are dangerous situations in my opinion.

[PeanutsGalore]

The parents know who they left their kid with, that she smokes, and that she takes care of a whole bunch of other kids. One of my mama friends is in a situation like this, but she trusts her provider and said she would NEVEr turn her in for being over the legal number of kids, because really--who does that help?

Just because you decided to get licensed, doesn't mean everyone has to, so that shouldn't even factor into your decision as to whether you should report her or not. Think carefully, for a long time, as to whether the kids are really in danger with her. Danger is the key word. If the answer is yes, then you report, if the answer is no, then you don't. Pretty simple; don't complicate it.

[snbauser]

It's a tough call. I would probably start with talking to your neighbor. I think that a lot of people don't even know what the laws are regarding what is and what isn't allowed without a license. She may not even know she is breaking the law. If you get to know her then you will be able to help her see the advantages of being licensed and help her through the process so it isn't overwhelming for her. Of course if she doesn't want to get licensed then you are stuck. If you report her you are a nosey, busy body. If you don't and something happens to one of the kids, then you may have to live with the guilt.

[Unregistered]

sometimes people don't want to get licensed because they know they or someone that lives with them won't pass the fingerprint check!!
maybe her hubby or boyfriend has a past?
Could he be a danger to the kids?

[Crystal]

You are a mandated reporter. If it is a requirement that she be licensed, report it.

I agree with others that you're not sure that there are any dangerous situations, but you're also not sure that there aren't. As someone said, it could be a background check issue.....what if it is and something happens to a kid in care? How would you feel knowing you hadn't made that call?

I'd report it.

[Abigail]

The difficult part is that you're neighbors. If you talk to her and find out she is over ratio for being unlicensed and turn her in, she'll know it was you and will cause tension in the neighborhood. I agree that you having a license shouldn't mean you will compare each other. Does this neigbor provider have any children of her own? If she doesn't she might still be in ratio, especially if all the families are one-child families or possibly a sibling family.

My two cents is to call or go over while you're on a walk after hours and run into her and start a casual "hi neighbor" conversation. Ask her how her business is and ask if this is her long term career where she wants to get licensed. You may find out that she already has a license and then you will not feel bad for saying the wrong thing or feeling like a spying neighbor.

[cheerfuldom]

I say report her. Its up to the state to decide if she is "legal" or not. You already know that she IS doing something unsafe by taking smoke breaks and leaving the kids unattended. You should be able to report without giving your name. Doesn't matter if the parents think this is okay or not because 1. they might not know what is going on and 2. I feel we are all obligated to speak up for children regardless of whether a parent thinks something is okay. Some parents think neglecting and abusing kids is okay, so should we just not say anything in that case?

[tulip1969]

I wouldn't do it unless I suspected abuse or was positive that she had way too many kids at once. After all you have a daycare too and she might retaliate against you even though you are doing nothing wrong. I think you would be opening a can of worms.