Start a child daycare without state?

Question

A woman in my office building rented a office (room) specifically to watch two office workers's toddlers. Now she wants me to pay her to watch my 1 y/o while I work. I thought you have to be certified or go through state regulations. Is this legal, should I report her? She has a 4 month old and a 2 y/o. Just because you have children doesn't mean you know how to care for them.

Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on  your state laws. I know that if you are watching more than 4 children then I can imagine it would be against the law without a license or certification, degree of some sort.  

Answer 2

Check out your states department of family services website.  Usually it lists the requirements for watching children on it.  I know in a neighboring state you have to be licensed or certified if you are operating a daycare center.  But, if you are just watching kids in your own home, you can watch up to 3 (besides your own) without needing to be licensed or certified.

Answer 3

In order to run a childcare business where you watch more than two children from the same family, you must have a license in CA.  I dont' know where you are at, but I would think that this person should need a license to watch children.  You can find out the licensing requirements in your state for small daycare licenses by going to your state's department of social services, licensing division website.  You should be able to then look up laws that cover licensing requirements of childminders who watch children other than their own in small daycare settings.  Personally, I cannot see how in a office building that she could be meeting the requirements for children... having adequate toys, space, and outdoor playtime.  Her practices may not be legal, depending on the requirements in your state.  I would ask her to see her license (which must be displayed in the environment where the children are), and contact your state licensing board to find out if she is licensed, for how many children, and when the last inspection was.  I would also ask for her background and education.  What qualifies her to watch other people's children?  Does she have college units in child development?  A degree in child development or social/behavioral science would be excellent, and a Permit or Certificate would be a good addition to that.  Find out the facts first- before you put your child in the hands of someone you don't know to watch your baby.

Answer 4

if it was in her house and she was watching them that is a little bit different since the laws vary but since this is an office building then yes she must be certified and the space for the children must be inspected to make sure everything is good for them.

I would personally report her but its up to you.

Answer 5

i completely agree with you, stick with your own childmider

Answer 6

is she charging the other ladies? has she charged you before?

no you dont have to be certified to watch only 3 kids, here in tx it is 10 kids or more. so its legal.

if she isnt charging the others and has never charged you before i would talk to her and ask her why only you or why all of a sudden.

Answer 7

You are so right about not everyone being able to care for kids. Check with the state. Here in Georgia you can care for 6 children 12 months and over i think as well as any children related to you. If the babies are under 12 months, however, that cuts the number down. Every state is different though. Are you thinking to report her because you think she is unfit or because you don't know the rules. Check it out before you act. I personally would love having my child in the same building as me (I do because i'm a pre- k teacher and my son goes to the same daycare) AS LONG AS THE RATIO IS RESONABLE. So if she is making money and taking care of children the right way, should you ruin that for the other parents?  

Answer 8

Actually it varies by the state...i think.  Where I live you can watch 5 children including your own with no certification or licensing.  If you know her, trust her, and its conveint for your baby to be close it mught be nice.  But if you are happy with your current chilcare provider I'd stick with that.  It doesn't hurt to call your local social service office tho & ask a few questions about your county regulations reguarding childcare.

Answer 9

I'm a day care worker and not everyone who works there is certified, they've only taken a cpr class. But if there's only one person working I would think they had to be certified and go through many other classes. But if it's not an actual day care, I don't think there's much you can do. She's basically just baby sitting.

Answer 10

I'm not really sure how it works, if she was advertising as a day care worker i guess she could get in trouble but to just be watching them I don't think she can get into trouble.  I mean, i babysit like 3 kids from diffrent parents but i don't have a day care.  I don't think i need a license for that, so I'm not sure if she can get into trouble for that.