Conference moira::parenting

    
    Pam,
    
    	Licensed daycare providers have to be checked out by the state and
    federal goverment.  The state also does an in home inspection that
    requires certain requirements be adhered too.  This is for Mass.  And
    licensed daycare providers are only allowed to take 6 children max.  
    
    Yes licensed daycare providers also carry special insurance.  If you
    would like any other info I would be glad to give you any information
    I can.
    
    Lisa

    RE: .0
    
    As far as Mass. is concerned no license = illegal.  ALL prpoviders MUST
    be licensed in Mass.  A licensed provider is checked for criminal
    record, has the home inspected for "safety", is required to have some
    training over and above parenting, is required to be first-aid
    certified (including CPR)...
    
    Dan

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but a license doesn't mean very much to
me. I've found that the unlicensed people charge less so not taking the
deduction works out to about the same as using a licensed person and taking
the deduction.  And unlicensed people can be just as good as licensed 
people at taking care of the kids.  It's been my experience that licensing
means things like the state has checked the home to make sure it has the
appropriate amount of space, and the provider has to have CPR, but they
don't do anything to check on the quality of the care given, so from
my perspective, I don't put any weight on being licensed.

I am now using a licensed person and am quite pleased, but it didn't matter
to me that she had the license.  Things that mattered were references, my
gut feel, and how my children like it now that they're there  (they never
want to come home -- I'd say that means they like it).  

I think it depends on how you feel about things, and if you think the 
license is important, then add that to your list of requirements. It's just
not something that has ever appeared on my list.

Cathy

    
    I used DEC's referrel service (thus all licensed) and found
    most of their homes very lacking... I ended up with a unlicensed
    that would put all the others to shame... 
    
    Soooooo State requirements must be pretty low...
    
    Go with whoever you feel most comfortable with...! 
    

    One question that really remains in my mind is a case of negligience
    from the unlicensed daycare provider.
    
    If my child suffered a serious injury that would eventually require
    compensation would the home insurance of the unlicensed daycare
    provider cover hospitilization, rehab costs, other costs, etc. or
    is there special insurance that covers such an event.
    
    I know this is kind of morbid thinking, but I want to make sure even
    the worst-case scenario is covered if we use an unlicensed provider.
    

    
    I also agree with that a licensed person means nothing at all.  I have
    a person now who's not licensed.  I wouldn't switch if you paid me.
    I'd prefer to go to someone unlicensed that a friend or someone knows
    than check out licensed daycare centers that you know nothing about. 
    Not just that but if the person is a great provider who cares about the
    yearly refund.  I'd rather pay more to have my child taking care of
    properly.
    
    deb
    

    
    
    Just because the provider is unlicensed dosen't mean they don't claim. 
    I have had several sitters in the past, all unlicensed, and I was able
    to claim MOST of them.  Actually, now that I think about it all but
    one.  
    
    I also agree about the licensed sitters being very overpriced, and not
    getting much more of a service for the money.  I never got any warm and
    cozy feelings with any of the licensed sitters I've interviewed.
    
    	Robin

    re: back a few.
    
    Regarding insurance:  There are insurance policies available to cover
    liability for daycare.  The catch (in Mass) is that you must be
    licensed.  I agree that the licensing process is mostly a waste of
    time.  Having gone through the process, the concentration of questions
    has nothing to do with child care.  I strongly dis-agree with the
    implication that a license holder is not as good as someone without a
    license.  As with any profession, there are good and bad situations. 
    Please refrain from generalities.  I am not saying that those without a
    license are bad either.  It just happens that in Mass. you are required
    BY LAW to be licensed if you are providing care.  Since the cost is
    minimal and the rules are not that hard to follow, why is it that
    licensing is such a bad thing???
    
    Dan

	I would assume that one of the reasons an unlicensed provider
	might not claim taxes would be fear of getting caught providing
	care without a license.

	(did that make sense?)

	I heard that family is not required to be licensed in order to
	provide care.  Can anyone confirm this ?

    
    From what I hear some people prefer not to be licensed due to all
    the monthly paperwork that has to be filled out and returned to
    the state.  I spoke with one licensed sitter that said if she was
    to do it over it wouldn't be licensed.  I guess the paperwork is
    ridiculous.
    
    

    RE: .10
    
    I don't know what paperwork is being refered to, but the only things
    that are required are a record of who is in care and when.  There are
    more generic things required such as fire evacuation logs of the
    practice runs.  None of these logs are sent into the state.  The
    provider must keep them.  My comments refer to family daycare provided
    in the provider's home.  Daycare centers may have additional paperwork
    that is required.
    
    RE: In Mass. at least, any time someone is providing regular care for
    pay (Note REGULAR/PAY), a license is required.  Family is not an
    exception.  Note however, that normally a family member would not be
    persued by the state unless there was a compaint.  The biggest issue
    here is one of liability.  Just because you are family does not mean
    tyou son't sue for a real/perceived liability issue...
    
    Dan

The food program available to daycares requires paperwork - weekly I think.
I would also bet that the food program is not available to unlicensed
providers.

rachel

I've been using a licensed family day care (in Michigan) for
3 years and love it!  I used Digital's Child Care Referral
Service (CCRS) to find my provider and several other Digital 
employees send their children to her as well.   The CCRS
sent a packet of information which included the licensing
requirements for Michigan so that I could compare with
unlicensed homes.  The information was helpful.

Around here the prices are nearly equivalent (a few dollars
more for licensed centers), and each licensed center gets:
biannual fire saftey home inspections, DSS interviews with
all providers/assitants, annual CPR and First Aid certification
and each follow the federal nutrition program for children.

To me it was a combination of gut feel, great references, 
licensed, and warm/nuturing environment.  I have been
really happy with my day care situation.

One note about CCRS: they pre-screened all of the providers
I interviewed for non-smoking, native English speaking, 
number of children of certain ages, good ethnic mix 
(important to us), daily activity and meal reports, and 
availability.  I was pleased with the information that they 
provided.  Their services are certainly worth looking into!

    re: .12
    
    The food program paperwork is usually sent in monthly for
    re-imbursement.  This has nothing to do with the state.  The food
    programs are optional.  My wife uses a company called "Yours for
    Children" which performs visits twice a year to "verify" you are
    providing qualifying meals.
    
    Dan

    I have used two day care providers, both licensed, in Massachusetts 
    that participated in the "food program".  My understanding is the day
    care provider keeps a log or "menu" of the qualifying foods that are
    served and they are reimbursed for providing nutritional foods.

    As others have stated, providing child care in Massachusetts without
    a license is illegal.  I look at the licensing of child care providers
    the same way I look at licensing any other professional.  There are
    a lot of good people working in many professions without the proper
    credentials, however, when I select someone to provide a service to
    me I want that person to prove they have the skills for the job.  
    Granted I interview providers and contact the state for any background
    info on the individual provider and use my own judgement.  But, I
    start the pool of prospective providers with a minimum requirement
    of a license.

    It is illegal in any state to be paid "under the table".  There are 
    un-licensed providers who claim the full amount of their payments, it 
    is unrelated to licensing.  A licensed provider does not have the luxury 
    of being paid under the table.       
                            

    
    Well what I just found is mine is licensed but at least here
    she can still be "under the table"...
    
    

    Can someone tell me how one becomes a licensed Daycare Provider?
    
    Thanks.
    
    Sue
    

    re: .17
    
    In Ma. at least, you fill out a lot of paperwork (application), get a
    physical, get your home inspected/approved and go...
    
    There is an investigation made for arrest records for both you and your
    family.  There are minimum area requirements and some educational
    requirements too.
    
    Dan

    Thanks for the info. 
    
    Who do you contact to get the ball rolling?
    
    Sue
    

    Your local Human Services group - Office for Children.  Check your
    local phone book.
    
    In NH, you can care for 3 children without a license.  Any more and you
    must become licensed.  I attempted to get a license for MA, but the red
    tape was incredible - so much so that I decided it wasn't worth the
    bother.
    
    -sandy
    

    In MASS it is if you take in "any children" you must get a license,
    correct?
    
    I am thinking about leaving DEC soon so I can spend more time with my
    4 month old daughter.  I just want to take in one or two children for
    a little extra spending money.  I don't want to take in more than that.
    I also don't want to do anything illegal.
    
    Sue
    

    RE: .21
    
    The rules in Ma. are a limit of 6 children (including your own).
    			limit of 3 under the age of 2 as long as 1 of them
    			is at least 18months and walking.
    
    The requirements for the home are not that bad.  There are some obvious
    safety checks that are made.  Most homes pass without problems.
    
    Dan

    a coule extended thought re .21...
    
    in addition to everything else, you must have a *door* as an exit to
    the area where the children will be playing.  i.e. we have a "cape"
    style home, with a walk out cellar door (not a bulkhead type).  I
    considered doin daycare when AJ was under a year.  I couldn't use my
    upstairs bedroom for anything relating to daycare, since it didn't have
    an outside door.  You must also have fire extinguishers, be able to use
    them, plan and execute fire drills and escape routes several times a
    year, and be able to provide XX amount of square footage per child, as
    well as "adequate" napping facilities.  A couple back someone said you
    could have more than 2 under 2, if one was walking.  When did this
    change?  This was my biggest problem in finding daycare when AJ was
    under 2!  Does this mean you, in reality, could have 3 under 2?  My
    provider adheres very strictly to OFC rules, and still says only 2
    under 2.
    
    I remember one of the places on the OFC info packet clearly states that
    "anyone who takes care of children which are not their own MUST obtain
    a license to do so, whether for pay or not"  Kind of spells it out
    clearly.  They also do a CORI check, which is a criminal background
    check of the provider, their backup, and adult family members 
    i.e.  spouse.  If your spouse has been even accused of molestation etc,
    your license could very well be denied.  You must also count your own
    children who are under 13 among the 6 total you are allowed to care
    for.
    
    She too get the "yours for children" food supliments.  She has to state
    which children are part time, as mine is (only after school), and which
    ones she provides breakfast for. (this is school vacation week, I still
    have to feed him breakfast first, she has not planned him into any
    breakfast plans)
    
    As an aside relating to tax credits, is there a cutoff for taking the
    tax break for daycare.  My husband thinks that if he is over 5, I can
    no longer claim my provider's salary on my taxes.  I thought it was an
    11 or 13 year age cut off.
    
    Lyn
    

    Lyn
    
    My kids are 6 and 8 and we claim their daycare expenses.
    
    -sandy
    

    re: .23
    
    A few updates:
    
    1) While the requirement for extinguishers still exists, the OFC has
    smartened up and no longer requires the provider to attempt to put out
    the fire.  First priority is to evacuate the premises.
    
    2) The restriction about the second floor is not because of hte lack of
    an "outside" door but because of the requirement for two(2) exits from
    each floor.  In a typical cape or colonial, there is only one way to
    and from the second floor.
    
    3) Please note the Yours for Children is one of a number of federally
    funded programs available to providers.  These programs provide partial
    reimbursement for food expenses when the daycare provides meals.
    
    Dan