Do I need a permit to offer Childcare at a wedding?

Question

Do you need a special permit of any sort to offer childcare for your wedding? I do not want children at the reception or ceremony so we have decided to have a "fun day" with a petting zoo, clowns and games for the children the day before the wedding. Because of this, many out of town guests have decided to bring their children. I have several distant cousins/friends who have offered to provide child care during the reception and Ceremony at my Grandmothers Large house on the outskirts of town. We have it organized that there will be no more than 3-5 children per adult. At the moment there are going to be 15-20 Children that will be staying at the house that night. We have worked out sleeping arrangments so it will be fine, and all the adults who offered to provide child care have all signed up for a first aid course (that will be held before the wedding is to take place). Is there any sort of permit I need to get to do this?

Answer 1

hmm probably.

maybe not though

Answer 2

Not likely, but do check with the local police.  A petting zoo does require a permit in some areas.

Answer 3

You don't need to have a license under this situation.  It's not different than if you were having a birthday party.  You already seem to be making sure that the ratios are acceptable.  Make sure you have a definate pick up time for the kids set...IE all parents come at 9 am to pick up their darlings

Just watch two things:

1.  none of the parents show up after hitting the open bar to pick up their children and take them home.  I'm not casting doubts on your friends/family its just some people get stupid

2.  The parents will need to sign waivers for both the "fun day" and the wedding.  If anything happens to the kids you are liable, the homeowners are liable, and the people watching the kids are liable.  They also need to fill out a sheet for you with at least TWO emergency contacts who aren't them in case something happens and any pertinent medical information...like the kids' allergies,  any conditions, have they had their shots? etc.

Answer 4

I can olnly give you US information.

If you are having unlicensed care, it's ok if only done once and not on a regular basis. So, accordingly to the US law, it's ok as you are not operating a bussiness and not ona regular basis.

However, please make sure you observe the propper adult-child ratio and accordingly to the age of the children

In Maryland, the ratio is:

1 adult per 8 children

Babies and children under two: 2 babies

per one adult

So if you are having more than 2 babies (under 2 years old) you have to have another adult. If having 20 children over 2 then you need 1:10 ratio, not including the babies.

It will be wise to hire a licensed and trained babysitter to tend to the kids and avoid any trouble. You could be held liable if any children get injured under the care that you offered in your wedding.

Good luck

Answer 5

Goodness no. Even with that large group it is like a relative or a relative of a friend taking your child with some others to the zoo etc. Even signing up for the first aid course is above and beyond as far as I am concerned.

Don`t worry about a permit. I would make sure you have a form to fill out for each child or family of children with their parents cell numbers and allergies. Their parents should be in reach of cell phone at all times (picking it up right away -- it can be on vibrate at the ceremony and they can use the second ring to go out the back before answering) and thus you do not need excessive medical information.

Since all the parents will be more or less together should there be a cell phone snafu with one if there is a true emergency there are many other cell numbers to call and get in touch with the parents so they can be responsible.

How generous of you to provide all of this. Don`t worry about a thing.