- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Parenting
WWYD- I think my daycare is doing something illegal
She advertises as being licensed in KS which means she can have 6 kids total under kindergarten age.
I know right now she has 3 older kids...21 mo, almost 3, and 3. She has my kid part time T/R and another his age MWF. Then she has a 13 mo old and is taking an infant (an older kids sibling) starting in January.
Then in an email sent to all the parents (she sends a daily menu in email) she mentioned interviewing someone new this week, 18 mo old, but she is still waiting to hear from them. I also saw an ad of hers on craigslist.
By my count she will already have 3 under 18 mo and 3 over 18 mo in January, putting her at her limit. I nonchalantly emailed back asking if she had another FT spot opening up soon because I am an obgyn nurse and patients frequently ask me for referrals.
WWYD? I doubt she is firing a kid since she sent this email to all the parents. I also doubt an older kid is moving to preschool, most kids start in Sept but I suppose it could be possible.
When I was interviewing other inhome daycares, I turned in 3 daycares that were over their limit to the state. I'm sure she could take care of 7 if she wanted but she has a newborn starting soon that will be a challenge, and to be honest I am not all that comfortable staying with someone who does anything illegal...my thoughts are, if they are breaking the rules on this, what else are they breaking the rules on?
As a sidenote, my MIL operates an illegal daycare out of her home...I know for a fact she isn't licensed and I have heard of her occassionally taking up to 10 kids at a time, though not all the time. Yikes! DH says if she lived in our state we would use her anyways but I am not so sure about that!
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WWYD- I think my daycare is doing something illegal
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/825/1820/8251820.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>I would look for another daycare if you're not happy. Our ratio here in a center is 4:1 and sometimes I think that's even on the high side. There are days I struggle taking care of both my kids at once. I can't imagine 4 or 6.
But at least in a center, teachers can call in a 'floater' if they need help or feel overwhelmed. What does an in home teacher do?
My initial thought too was maybe she's hiring someone? Then she could have more kids I presume (don't know your states's license requires). She might also be losing a kid or 2 come January and just hasn't told anyone yet and included them in on the email as well just so that they know that the spot is being filled in case they were planning on changing their minds.
In my opinion you can't call and report her for advertising and keeping her name out there. Once she actually goes over ratio then you can report her so I guess this is just something that you have to keep your eyes open for and can't really do anything about just yet.
Bingo. I'd be looking for a new provider, and fast.
Our state says you can't have more than 2 kids under 2yo...so the 3 <18mos would push her over her limit here...where are you getting the info about the rules?
Your DCP isn't doing anything illegal or breaking any rules. She is currently operating within the guidelines with regard to the children in her care, correct? Frankly, I think you're being a busybody.
So what if she's advertising and/or interviewing new families? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. YOU don't know what's going on- perhaps another family has given them a head's up that they're planning on moving in a little while, that their kids are going to start a preschool, that they're thinking there's a good chance that they might be laid off from work soon, etc. And if she knows that she might be losing a child soon it's not your business who and why.
She's obviously being upfront with notifying you that she's interviewed another family- that's not the behavior of someone who has something to hide. If you don't trust her than find someone else, but this kind of speculating and insinuating that she must be doing other things when no one is looking is incredibly insulting to her when she is currently doing nothign wrong at all!
If I was your DCP and I read this post I'd be looking for another client so that I could give you the boot!
If you have a concern, ask her about it. I believe in being upfront with people when you have a concern. If you're not satisfied, then contact the local agency that deals with such regulations (we have a county agency in addition to state laws) and get some clarification on the law from them. You can do so without reporting someone.
Ultimately, if you are not satisfied with the care your child is getting, or the circumstances in which it is provided, than clearly you should find a new provider.
And heck, if you pull your child out...she'll be closer to the appropriate ratio.
Here in VT you can only have 2 under 2 per 1 caregiver. I would be worried about the kids that are 18 months old - at that age they are into everything. How is she going to keep up with 3 small babies and then 3 that age?
According to Kansas State licensing, it allows licensed home daycare providers to have up to 10 children under age 11. If her license allows for up to 8 total, she can have 3 children under 18 months, 3 children between 18 months and "Kindergarten age" and 2 children between "K age" and age 11.
Of course, as others have mentioned, it's entirely possible that she's losing a kid (or more), or she's hiring someone on as an assistant which would allow her to take in more kids.
Ask her.