Licensed In-home Daycare

I was watching kids out of my house and was not licensed but those whose children were intrusted to me knew that and had no problems with that. I think its a matter of preference - my first born was left with a licensed care giver who appeared nice at first and after a few weeks there were issues that I would not overlook - if the non licensed care giver is watching more children than you think anyone should be able to or can take care of then go elsewhere - it really is like the other ladies said a gut feeling.

I may be too picky, but if I were ever to place my child(ren) in ANY childcare I would demand that the caregivers be licensed. They are going to be responsible for your children!! Would you leave your children with a complete stranger and trust them to care for your child without knowing anything about that person? If they are not licensed, the state knows nothing about the quality of care, complaints made, etc. Please be very careful about who you leave your children with. Good luck and please let us know what you decide.

I have an in-home daycare and I chose not to be licensed because the state would dictate what age kids I would have. I have followed all of the "licensed" daycare rules (water tested, no pool, etc). I had all kids 18 months and under when I started (5 of them as the regulations allowed because I was un-licensed). It was absolutely the best for me. Now I have most of the same kids and they are all 2 1/2 and under. Don't judge the daycare because it is licensed...judge it according to how you want your child cared for. Is is clean, safe, good meals, FUN for your child. Your child will be your best judge of the environment. Good Luck.

Honestly, it's your personal preference. Just remember that a license doesn't mean that person is an excellent sitter. It just means that they have jumped through the proper hoops needed to receive the license. Interview the person, ask for references from previous (non-related) clients, find out if this person has CPR/first responder training. But in the end, always go with your gut feeling and do what makes you and your child(ren) comfortable.

Honestly it makes no difference. You can be licensed and still be a horrid provider. You have to go check it out and see what you think of the people running it. Good luck!

I honestly don't think it matters. I would actually prefer a sitter to have fewer kids. They could spend more of their time wtih each kid. I know that I couldn't handle more than 2 or 3 kids on my own. I have known some licensed care givers that have had 6 children in the home with only one adult. To me that's just way to many kids with only one adult. I really think you just have to do interviews with your potential care givers. I would also be more comfortable with someone that has children of their own. It's so hard to leave your children with anyone. Good luck to ya!!!

I don't think your asking too much at all. I always ask the same thing. With a person who just has childcare there is no background check done, or home inspections, etc. If your licensed you have to have all of these. I plan on opening my own home childcare next year and I am in the process of getting licensed now. I don't see anything wrong with you wanting that.

In KY you can have up to 3 unrelated children in your care without being a "registered provider". As a "registered provider" you may care for up to 6 children (related or unrelated). A licensed provider may care for up to 12 children (6 under 5 (no more than 2 under one, I think, and 6 School Age. As a parent it was not important to me to have a registered/ licensed provider because I knew my provider was Awesome with my child....and I know alot of registered/ licensed providers who I would not feel comfortable leaving my child with. And some GREAT providers who choose not to be registered. As a provider however I felt it important to be registered for my own protection. Go to www.chfs.ky.gov and look at child care regulations to see what is required of all Legal providers. My best advice is to TRUST your gut. A provider who is a perfect fit for one family is not always perfect for another.

Hi P.!

Sorry - I don't have time to read other responses to try not to repeat - so soory if I do!

I think you should definately require a license - but recognoze that it doesn't necessarily mean they are someone that you would want to leave your child with. I actually usesomeone who is not licensed - but my husband has known her since he was 12 and we are close friends with the entire family, so it is a great situation for us. However, there are benefits to her not having a license. For example she can cook and prepare food. Something that she could not do when she was licensed and owned a daycare for over 20 years! I think the most important thing is trust. If I didn't have our siter, I would start with a list of those that are licensed, interview them and ask for references. Drop by unannounced too!

Good luck!
A.

Well thats really up to how you feel....My opinion is that a licensed adult is more responsible and trustworthy with you child...the reason that I say this is because my son has been in both...I had a really bad experience...well not really that bad but when we are talking about a child especially my own it was bad for me...My son just turned 1 and I had to go back to work when he was 6 weeks old...i searched and interviewed lots of in home daycares and I thought I had found what would be the best for him...it was a mother of 4 who was not licensed but yet she seemed like she was running a very trustworthy daycare...well Nicholas went there for about a month or so...I'm not going to share all the details because I dont want to freak you out but I ended up finding an another daycare with 2 licensed ladies that run it and I couldn't be happier...where do you live at? I'm in Indianapolis..not sure if you are here or not...if so if your on the south side I could give you my daycares #...hope this helps!

NO!! Absolutely not. I'm sure laws vary state to state but I believe here if you have more than 4 children in your home that are not related to you that you must be licensed. I would demand it. Also, contact your local WIC office (I think), they will be able to give you a list of area licensed in-home childcare personnel.

I am a In Home Childcare Provider and I am not licenced. All of the children that I sit for have been from word of mouth. I do like it better than being licenced because I can make their lunch for them. Also, I don't have to go by the #'s that the licenced caregiver does. I only sit for 4 other children and they are all school aged but one of them is only 1yrs old. It is nice being non-licenced because when my children have something at school or I need to go to the store during the day the 1 yr old can go with me. Now I have written permission from that parent that thier child can go anywhere with me and I gave them a copy of my car insurance just so they know their child is safe. I have went to school for Early Childcare and I have worked in childcares, that is why I work for myself now.

Also, the whole trust thing between licenced or non-licenced just remember that either way we are all people and you have to go with you in instinks.