Operating an Unlicensed Daycare

[heater7197]

Reporting unlicensed providers

The idea that anyone who is unlicensed providing childcare should be "turned in" is ignorant. If someone is clearly violating the exempt childcare provider guidelines(taking more children on then is allowed with the ratio rules) then I can see it may be necessary to report. Here in NY a few things are true, if I have three of my own children I can watch an additional two children though only two of them can be under the age of 2 without being licensed; if I operate a preschool I do not have to be regulated in anyway(no licensing required in Ny state what so ever) scary but true, you cannot turn in a provider who is running a preschool simply for being unlicensed, the State does not regulate preschools in the same way they regulate daycare. You need to know your states rules before you go flying off the deep end about licenses. Many unlicensed providers provide excellent care. Many stay at home Moms are unlicensed providers not interested in jumping through the hoops to get a license mostly because it is a temporary position so they can stay at home with their children too. It is not (contrary to a few posters positions), some sneaky move to hide illegal wrongdoings. If you think a provider is violating rules that place the children in danger whether they are licensed or unlicensed should not make a difference you turn them in.

[Unregistered]

Unlicensed Daycare : Illinois

What are the consequences from operating an UNLICENSED daycare in IL? Is there a fine to pay? I am unlicensed and have run a home daycare for 3 1/2 years now. ALL the parents that I babysit for KNOW that I am unlicensed, it isn't something that I hide. And I claim ALL OF MY INCOME! I give them my SSN at the end of the year with a total of daycare paid. Everything is completely safe but I'm just not licensed. The process is going to require me to take time off AND find a daycare to put my own children in. I'm worried about being turned in for NOT being licensed.

I hate to put the parents out when they DON'T CARE if I'm licensed or not. They are going to have to make other arrangements while I take these classes.

Hello Fellow Illinoisan,
I am in the same boat, want to go from lic. exempt w/ 3 children to more children (the correct ages) and can't honestly afford to close my business for 6 months ? while I wait for licensing. If there is such a shortage of qualtiy dc in Il. then they should do a rush process for these cases where dc is being offered, so that families and myself are not put out.
Any tips or info is much appreciated

[cdsnana]

when people file false reports

Whether a person is registered or not doesn't mean you get better care. Was a registered provide and any tom dick or harry can file a report on you everyday and the state then makes you jump thru hoops just to try and keep your licenses. I understand believe me i have 5 grown kids of my own and we have to protect the next generation. But when you have your whole life and family put thru the mill and all allegations are unfound then you wonder why people don't what to go thru all the hassle of becoming license when your license does little to protect you. I have my credentials in FDC and CDA i go to every possible trainings I can to improve my daycare only to be slapped in the face after 6 yrs of having my own daycare I gave them my license the other day the registor is a nightmare i swear the job has gone to her head. I just feel sorry for all the people I help. I provided care days evenings and weekends and now who's going to do it, i was the only license facility in a 65 mile radius. But unfortunately when it starts hurting my family and other people I have no choice. Then they wonder why people aren't license

[cpardue]

Daycare

My next door neighbor appears to be operating an unlicensed daycare in a residential area of our sub-division. I know that unlicensed daycare operations can be legal under certain Indiana law requirements. Can you tell me what the law says about operating an unlicensed daycare in a residential area in the state of Indiana. Thank you.

How do you know she's not licensed? Find out the facts first.

[Unregistered]

people need to mind there business. If she is not bothering you, then why are you worried. Let that woman make her money. If she was abusing or neglecting the children, nobody would have anything to say. That's what is wrong with the world today, people report the wrong things.

i bet you would if in your neighborhood.

[Unregistered]

Parents due diligence

Unlicensed and licensed childcare facilities can be equally bad or appalling. I sent my son to a large licensed center one summer - it was great - and yanked him the next summer because of negligent medical care relating to an untreated asthma incident and a gash on his foot. I put him into a home daycare and she was great! She inspired to start my own; we both run clean, safe and comfortable home daycares for our kids. Our kids love us, and I am teaching my two who go into K next year to read and write, as I want them to be ahead. While WE are both licensed, I also know unlicensed providers in the area who offer programming, outings, and high levels of safety and comfort to their children. Licensing DOES NOT guarrantee a quality or safe program, just hopefully that the provider is not a pedophile and has not had TB. That's it. That's all you get in the end. A super clean home should be a red flag. A home covered in grime and smelling like cat urine should be a red flag. Happy kids in either case are great! Parents have a responsibility to their children to perform due diligence when researching childcare, and to look up any complaints and ask for references - and to know what questions to ask those references.

For the lady whose neighbor is allowing the parents to block her driveway and hit her car - that's not right. Report it as a hit and run. That's what it is. And it's illegal to block someone's driveway. It's just rude. But be careful also, you don't want to make an enemy (unless she is committing some sort of crime there then by all means, make an enemy).

Best of luck to you all.

[Unregistered]

No Water - No Electricity - No Septic 20 Children

There is an existing water runoff ditch down one side of my property and I don't want the children to wander over and fall in. It's pretty deep and it's part of the natural features of the property. I'm not allowed to fill it in, as the neighborhood storm water flows into it.

A mobile home recently set up on the property adjacent to my ditch. Septic tank installed, but no water so septic is not operational; nor electricity. About 20 children are being dropped off and picked up at this mobile home. The door remains open and adults and children are in and out of it. Monday through Friday. So far, I'm minding my own business because I unfortunately live in a drug dealing weapon wielding neighborhood.

I'll take my chances on a drive by shooting at my house; I just have to do something. Can't be healthy for the children at all!

Advice?

[SilverSabre25]

. A super clean home should be a red flag. A home covered in grime and smelling like cat urine should be a red flag.

I'm just wondering why on earth a super clean home should be a red flag? That seems like an odd statement to make.

[Unregistered]

daycare

I also have a neighbor that is not licensed. She is not a stable person. I don't think it is healthy for the children.

[Unregistered]

hello iam starting my day care unlicensed i moved from ny so i have to be licensed all over again i wanted to ask what is a reasonable rate for caring for a two year old an a three year old partime 3 days a week in my home in provide the food and snacks? .

[Unregistered]

Not in a million years!

I am suprised she has enrollment without a license. I wouldn't send my child to a daycare that didn't have a license, not in a million years. Not only is she breaking the law, but what if she is caught and is closed down. Actually that wouldn't happen, they would fine her for every day she has been open without a license, and every day until she gets one. That fat fine might just put her out of business. Don't run the risk, just get the license. Here in Ca. they have stoped issuing licenses, due to budget cuts. There are not enough case workers to keep up with all the licensed daycares. Even in that case if someone was running a daycare without one, I still would not enroll my child. Never, and it makes me wonder about the parents who do go there.

[QualiTcare]

I am suprised she has enrollment without a license. I wouldn't send my child to a daycare that didn't have a license, not in a million years. Not only is she breaking the law, but what if she is caught and is closed down. Actually that wouldn't happen, they would fine her for every day she has been open without a license, and every day until she gets one. That fat fine might just put her out of business. Don't run the risk, just get the license. Here in Ca. they have stoped issuing licenses, due to budget cuts. There are not enough case workers to keep up with all the licensed daycares. Even in that case if someone was running a daycare without one, I still would not enroll my child. Never, and it makes me wonder about the parents who do go there.

not everyone has to be licensed depending on the number of children they keep. i wasn't licensed when i did child care because i didn't have to be. i am a licensed teacher and can teach in any elementary school in my state so parents had no problem leaving their children with me. unlicensed doesn't mean inexperienced, illegal, or uneducated. i wasn't sure how long i would stick with it, and i'm glad i didn't get licensed because i did change my mind!

[dEHmom]

This is a late response but I see this post has been going on for some time now.
I couldn't possibly read every single post on this thread, but here is my input...


Unlicensed daycare aren't "Breaking the law". Depending what your state requires.
Lots of families prefer unlicensed dayhomes because they can provide things that a licensed facility may not. Including variable hours.
Most unlicensed day homes will follow the regulations set forth by the the government in terms of cleanliness, food guidelines etc.

I do not disagree with contacting the agency. It's not a matter of minding your own business as much as it is the safety and well being of the children in the care of your neighbor. If in fact she is providing care and following the guidelines, and nothing is awry then she has nothing to worry about. If she is breaking the law, or the welfare of the children are at stake, then rest assured she will be shut down, fined, etc. I hope most parents wouldn't leave their child in the care of someone unable to care for them or provide them a safe environment.

And as mentioned previously, DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY ARE LICENSED OR UNLICENSED, accidents/abuse/neglect can happen anywhere! Heck, even in the churches!
Point here is that you need to know, trust and do your research on anyone you are willing to leave your child with. You wouldn't walk up to someone on the street and say "hey, if I pay you will you watch my child and not abuse her or anything?"

If you have an issue with her and are just looking for a means to hit her where it hurts, well then you would need some help. This is this womans income, regardless of anything else. If you decided you wanted to take up a living by working in your garage building things, making things, fixing cars, and you paid your bills this way, would you want your neighbors calling authorities on you?

[Unregistered]

Licensed vs unlicensed providers..my thoughts

I am new also to this forum and have been reading all the threads about this subject. First , I AM an unlicensed home daycare provider going on 28 years now. I first started to do daycare as a favor to a friend years ago when my kids were toddlers. It was just her child and my own, 2 boys. I really enjoyed it and decided to make it my career as I love kids. Checked into being licensed and found out how much it would cost me, which at that time we did not have the money for me to do that and we would have had to changed a lot of things with the house, which we also couldn't afford. So therefor I decided to not be licensed, my choice. For 28 yrs now, I have had no complaints from parents about this and have had NO accidents to the children while in my care.I guess I have tried to be more careful about safety with the kids because I am not licensed. I only have ever taken care of 2 at a time, which is legal. Yes. licensed providers are checked out by the state and can have more children, but I BELIEVE that you can not give the kids the attention that they need and deserve when you have a ton of kids in your care. I have seen licensed providers let kids be in wet and poopy diapers for hours because they can't get to all of them when they need to be changed. That is one thing I am religious about, is that when they are wet or messy, they get changed right away,I only have 2 kids, so I have the time.

What I am trying to say is, that we are just as good providers as licensed providers, and it is up to you as parents to feel comfortable with your provider and trust her no matter if she is licensed or not, it is your gut feelings at an interview and the first few days of care that should tell you if you picked a good provider. I always tell parents to use their first impression of the provider and your gut feelings, if you feel comfortable or not. We are as good a providers as licensed ones, so don't put us down!!!

[Unregistered]

Legal Home Daycare Provider

People need to mind there business. If she is not bothering you, then why are you worried. Let that woman make her money. If she was abusing or neglecting the children, nobody would have anything to say. That's what is wrong with the world today, people report the wrong things.

The problem is that there are people out there that are doing all the legal steps to make a living in child care and people that are undercutting fees are taking in way to many children making it unsafe for the kids. State licensing is there for a reason. Being registured with the state holds the provider accountable it gives the parents leverage. Parents that want the best for their children should think b 4 they just leave their kids with just anyone. I feel good being able to tell my parents I am cpr and first aid certified, have insurance for any thing that may happen in my home, offer structured loving care and will never have too many children that i can not do my best to give each child what they need and deserve. There is a lady in my town that keeps 20 plus kids in her home by herself and any parent that thinks that is safe for their kid is crazy!!!