Licensed DayCare vs. Private DayCare

[NightOwl]

This is the most ridiculous post i have ever read. I also turn in unlicensed providers. And who is she to talk about not having an education when she apparently doesn't herself? Her grammar is deplorable. I hope someone can find out who this person is and put her out of "business". There is definitely something wrong if parents seek out unlicensed providers. They must have something to hide, just like the provider. I have way more pride in my work than to be unlicensed. And I'm sure she's also uninsured. A real winner.

[Blackcat31]

OLD thread... 2010

The info may still be relevant but I doubt any of the unregistered posters have returned.

In response to the newest unregistered poster.... following the state rules is something you agreed to do when you applied for and received a license.

It doesn't mean you get to pick and choose which rules you follow and don't follow. If the state says you cannot have visitors when you are working, then you can't have visitors while working. Just like any other job!

Also the fact that you KNOW you aren't suppose to allow an infant to sleep in a swing and did and are complaining about the fact that you got written up for it verses acknowledging that you deserved the citation (because you did) says that it is a good thing that the state has been visiting you.

I read updates from my state DHS website every.single day about citations given to providers who don't follow SUID guidelines and safe sleep practices (even after taking regular trainings) and it literally makes me sick that so many providers take a KNOWN risk with someone else's child!

Then when it ends badly, we all look bad.

My advice to you is stop complaining about what you can't do and do what you are suppose to do and that is care for the children in your care. Visit with your daughter-in-law and grand children on YOUR time, not time your clients are paying you to care for their child according to the state's guidelines.

I don't mean to sound so harsh but I'm tired of reading about dead babies because provider's think they should be able to do whatever they want in their homes without understanding or recognizing that you agreed to follow these rules when you applied for your license.

I am currently a licensed provider and after 20 years of no complaints social service has me under probation because my daughter-in-law and her child and 2 kids she watches comes to my house to do group activities, storytime crafts ect. Social Service says her kids count in my license when they are present even though they have an adult there responsible for them. I was told it may be silly to not allow 2 people with 9 kids versus 1 with 6 but they don't care it's the rules. I was told I cannot have any visitors period. Now they have come back 3 times in the last month and when I had my normal numbers the social worker said "Well then. let's do another walk-through" and proceeded to write me up for violations such as a baby falling asleep in my swing and me not moving her to a crib and that was only about a 3-4 minute span. I have ran an impeccable childcare for 20 years and now feel like I am being bullied and forced out. What are my rights can anyone tell me?

[Michelle]

a licensed daycare is good for everyone
it protects kids, gives parents some peace of mind, keeps providers on their toes, and is the only situation I would ever place my own kid if I had to put my kids in daycare.
Not every daycare is perfect (licensed or unlicensed) but the rules are in place so that kids are safe.
lovethis

[MarinaVanessa]

OLD thread... 2010

The info may still be relevant but I doubt any of the unregistered posters have returned.

In response to the newest unregistered poster.... following the state rules is something you agreed to do when you applied for and received a license.

It doesn't mean you get to pick and choose which rules you follow and don't follow. If the state says you cannot have visitors when you are working, then you can't have visitors while working. Just like any other job!

Also the fact that you KNOW you aren't suppose to allow an infant to sleep in a swing and did and are complaining about the fact that you got written up for it verses acknowledging that you deserved the citation (because you did) says that it is a good thing that the state has been visiting you.

I read updates from my state DHS website every.single day about citations given to providers who don't follow SUID guidelines and safe sleep practices (even after taking regular trainings) and it literally makes me sick that so many providers take a KNOWN risk with someone else's child!

Then when it ends badly, we all look bad.

My advice to you is stop complaining about what you can't do and do what you are suppose to do and that is care for the children in your care. Visit with your daughter-in-law and grand children on YOUR time, not time your clients are paying you to care for their child according to the state's guidelines.

I don't mean to sound so harsh but I'm tired of reading about dead babies because provider's think they should be able to do whatever they want in their homes without understanding or recognizing that you agreed to follow these rules when you applied for your license.

Thank you BC. I couldn't have said it better.

[Starburst]

For the record, I have heard of both licensed and unlicensed providers scandals. Does that mean that all licensed daycares are bad? No. Does that mean all unlicensed daycares are bad? No. The reason why licensed is more reported is because the licensing agency usually does unannounced drop-ins and they get caught; that doesn't necessarily mean that unlicensed daycares never harm children. Ever heard of the movie Unspeakable Acts (1990)? It's based on a true event in the 1980s where a couple ran an unlicensed daycare; and the wife was actually still considered minor at the time (17; but she told the parents she was 23). They allegedly sexually abused children and even preformed satanic rituals (such as animal sacrifices and chanting demonic curses) in front of the children. No one had a clue until one of the older children finally spoke up and told his parents about something he saw her doing. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/198...buse-probation. In my Child, Family, And Community class the teacher told us about 2 women from a near by city that ran an unlicensed daycare in a small 1 bedroom apartment, they had 22 infants (even with a large FCC licence in this state you can't have more than 3 or 4 under 2 and a minimum of 35 sq per child inside is required). Infant care is really hard to find and it is a low income city (poor, desperate, and most likely uneducated/uninformed parents; maybe even some without papers trying to hide out). They only charged $10 a day ($10 x 5= $50/week and $50 x 22=$1100/week). They had all the children in high chairs (which they were pretty much placed in all day) that were lined up side by side set in front of TVs and would just go down the line to feed them or change them every so often. Yes, they weren't purposely abusing the children and were providing a much needed service and just 'making money', but at the expense of the children not getting the attention or even interactions that they need and deserve.

At the state I am currently in, you can only watch for one family other than your own without a license. At the state I am moving to, the rule is up to 3 children at a time from different families; not including your own. I have considered lately trying to see if I can watch a few children with in that legal limit while I am in the process of getting licensed, but I wouldn't just let a DC parent 'talk me out of getting licensed' because they are only going to be there for a few years at most; I would be the one who has to live with the choice for the rest of my career/life. I want my business to be up to my standards and want to do everything in my power to make me feel 'official' and accomplished and that includes getting licensed. Yes, it may just be a piece of paper to some (that's also what my ex-fiance said about getting married); but it's what it stands for that gives me the confidence of a professional business owner, just as any other business would require some type of business license.

Plus, I went to an FCC orientation meeting when I went out of state for my spring break and found at they offer some grants and other incentives for becoming a registered/ certified home care, joining the quality care program (available only after being a registered provider for 2 years), and even acquiring a certain level of education and/or continuing your education. At first I was nervous about getting licensed, now I'm excited! I see my business as my baby and just like the babies I would care for, I want it to thrive to it's full potential.

[Vanessa_in_Babyland]

Good information! Thank you all

After reading these posts there is so much great information and a lot to think about. Now, you can be unlicensed and be compliant…. Correct. For example, if your state allows you to care for up to four children ect. ect. If you are compliant and not breaking the law then how about doing volunteer inspections or taking classes on health and children's safety? I know I've heard your responses but I STILL don't see why everyone should be licensed. I see why it might make your quality better, but....I am coming from a Montessori school background and I think the parents are already seeing quality from my services. If I volunteer and continue my personal education would you say that is a great start. If I suddenly want to teach 6 kiddos then that seems like it's time to get licensed. Just thinking out loud here....thoughts?!?

[LysesKids]

After reading these posts there is so much great information and a lot to think about. Now, you can be unlicensed and be compliant…. Correct. For example, if your state allows you to care for up to four children ect. ect. If you are compliant and not breaking the law then how about doing volunteer inspections or taking classes on health and children's safety? I know I've heard your responses but I STILL don't see why everyone should be licensed. I see why it might make your quality better, but....I am coming from a Montessori school background and I think the parents are already seeing quality from my services. If I volunteer and continue my personal education would you say that is a great start. If I suddenly want to teach 6 kiddos then that seems like it's time to get licensed. Just thinking out loud here....thoughts?!?

Yes, it's called being legally, license exempt… I am in a state that also allows up to 4 unrelated; and for the record I have done licensed, registered and license exempt care in a total of 6 states over 14 years and have classes out the ying yang under my belt, plus I have an A.A .S in Criminal Law & am a Postpartum Doula.

TN no longer offers registration for 4 or less kids… it's either license exempt or licensed… can't get licensed with 4 kids for one reason (BTW, my house is only 6 months old literally) - because its 784 sq ft instead of a doublewide over 1000 sq ft… I passed bacgkround and all that, but they said my house, even having the required indoor space & outdoor gated off play area, does not qualify.

I also do infant Montessori and will never have more than 4 babies under 2 years old… are they kidding? And yes, I can take the subsidy just as I did in MO as a registered provider, I just don't get as much as licensed people.

[Unregistered]

Why some providers aren't licensed.

I have been in business for almost 15 years. Not all of them licensed. In my state it's about having things done to your house for approval. It took me 5 years before I could afford a house of my own which i could get licensed. Before i rented where many landlords didn't wan me to license the home because they feared the state coming in to tell them what is wrong with the house or feared being sued because a child died in the house. All of which is crazy and laws do protect the landlords form that happening.
I honestly have to say that I didn't always follow the rules. There is no way I can pay my bills on just a few dcks. I loved being licensed. I lost my house because my husband lost his job and I couldn't charge much being that too many daycares where spouting up after the many layoffs in my state. Once you move, the license is canceled. i'm trying to buy a home again but lenders need me to make triple what I actually do inorder to qualify for a home big enough to hold a decent daycare. I once closed my daycare so I could work. My first check was a 3rd of what I make in a weeks pay with daycare. My current landlord doesn't want me to get licensed, raised my rent, and is giving me 6 months to move because she wants to use the house for a 24 hour daycare. So yes, I have to break the rules. There is no way i can afford to do anything charging competing prices and keep only a handful of dcks. The parents i currently have, don't care about me being licensed anyway. ass long as i take good care of their children. i will become licensed again once I save enough money to move into my own house that i can freely license.

[Blackcat31]

I have been in business for almost 15 years. Not all of them licensed. In my state it's about having things done to your house for approval. It took me 5 years before I could afford a house of my own which i could get licensed. Before i rented where many landlords didn't wan me to license the home because they feared the state coming in to tell them what is wrong with the house or feared being sued because a child died in the house. All of which is crazy and laws do protect the landlords form that happening.
I honestly have to say that I didn't always follow the rules. There is no way I can pay my bills on just a few dcks. I loved being licensed. I lost my house because my husband lost his job and I couldn't charge much being that too many daycares where spouting up after the many layoffs in my state. Once you move, the license is canceled. i'm trying to buy a home again but lenders need me to make triple what I actually do inorder to qualify for a home big enough to hold a decent daycare. I once closed my daycare so I could work. My first check was a 3rd of what I make in a weeks pay with daycare. My current landlord doesn't want me to get licensed, raised my rent, and is giving me 6 months to move because she wants to use the house for a 24 hour daycare. So yes, I have to break the rules. There is no way i can afford to do anything charging competing prices and keep only a handful of dcks. The parents i currently have, don't care about me being licensed anyway. ass long as i take good care of their children. i will become licensed again once I save enough money to move into my own house that i can freely license.

Seriously? There is NEVER a good reason to break rules/laws.

If you don't like them or feel they are unfair than fight to change them but making an excuse to justify your reason for breaking the rules only makes you sound worse.

NONE of the excuses you used are valid reasons for breaking rules.

It's providers like you that make us all look bad.

[LysesKids]

Seriously? There is NEVER a good reason to break rules/laws.

If you don't like them or feel they are unfair than fight to change them but making an excuse to justify your reason for breaking the rules only makes you sound worse.

NONE of the excuses you used are valid reasons for breaking rules.

It's providers like you that make us all look bad.

THIS is so spot on... it's because of the rule breakers that many areas are starting to tighten the screws on everyone.

[Unregistered]

I know this is a late post...

This thread is helpful. It gives me a lot of things to think about! One of the question I have in mind is how unlicensed child care declare their income?

[daycarediva]

This thread is helpful. It gives me a lot of things to think about! One of the question I have in mind is how unlicensed child care declare their income?

Most of the time they do not declare their income. Which is illegal, so on top of a person breaking the law, they could (SHOULD) be charged with tax evasion.

TO PARENTS READING NOW OR IN THE FUTURE: If your daycare tells you that you can't claim it on your taxes- they are operating ILLEGALLY. Give them a W-10 and they are REQUIRED to fill it out. If they refuse to do so, there are directions on the W-10 on how to file and claim it regardless, and how to report the provider for operating illegally. Keep track of your daycare expenses yourself.



I am getting a LOT of calls from parents seeking childcare because their daycare is saying "Oh sorry, you can't claim it with me."

If a person is lying to the IRS, and evading taxes AND/OR running an illegal business, I question their integrity and wouldn't want them watching my children.

It doesn't MATTER if you AGREE with the laws, you are still required to follow them.

[LysesKids]

Most of the time they do not declare their income. Which is illegal, so on top of a person breaking the law, they could (SHOULD) be charged with tax evasion.

TO PARENTS READING NOW OR IN THE FUTURE: If your daycare tells you that you can't claim it on your taxes- they are operating ILLEGALLY. Give them a W-10 and they are REQUIRED to fill it out. If they refuse to do so, there are directions on the W-10 on how to file and claim it regardless, and how to report the provider for operating illegally. Keep track of your daycare expenses yourself.



I am getting a LOT of calls from parents seeking childcare because their daycare is saying "Oh sorry, you can't claim it with me."

If a person is lying to the IRS, and evading taxes AND/OR running an illegal business, I question their integrity and wouldn't want them watching my children.

It doesn't MATTER if you AGREE with the laws, you are still required to follow them.

No offense but all of the legally unlicensed childcares I know, including myself, DO claim wages & pay taxes, we do not work under the table as you state so please don't lump all unlicensed providers together because we are not all illegal; I have paid taxes on all my businesses for 30 years - here in TN I can run legally licensed exempt and I claim my income & my parents still claim the childcare credit.

[Cat Herder]

Illegal, Registered, Legally Unlicensed, Licensed and License Exempt are five different things.

Private has nothing to do with legal status. :confused:

Private, non-profit and public childcare/education programs must all comply with the laws governing them.

It isn't personal, just business.

[daycarediva]

No offense but all of the legally unlicensed childcares I know, including myself, DO claim wages & pay taxes, we do not work under the table as you state so please don't lump all unlicensed providers together because we are not all illegal; I have paid taxes on all my businesses for 30 years - here in TN I can run legally licensed exempt and I claim my income & my parents still claim the childcare credit.

I was replying to how they claim the income on an illegal number of children.

If you operate legally, great.