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KristenBtobe
member
Ready to rumble.
Something to ponder re. in-home child care
KristenBtobe
member
From Saturday's Enquirer. I know Sallie and she is so passionate about this issue. She's right-if nail technicians have to be licensed to polish my toes, shouldn't the same protocols be in place for a person who watches children?
When will Ohio agree to regulate home-based child care providers?
By Sallie Westheimer ? January 29, 2011
I was horrified to learn of the alleged actions of the son of a family child care provider that led to his arrest on Jan. 19. The Mason man was charged with 117 federal charges of producing, possessing and transporting child pornography. His alleged molestation victims in 2002 and 2003 were children in his mother's family child care home.
The family child care provider was unlicensed. In that, she is not alone. There are no licensed home-based child care providers in Ohio. A person can legally care for up to six children at a time without having to agree to any health and safety regulations. Those who know me have heard this song before: To do manicures for pay in this state - and every state - one must be trained and licensed. Same for grooming dogs. Same for giving tattoos. And hair-cutting. But not for caring for vulnerable young children for pay.
The woman in Mason had never been given a set of health and safety regulations. She had never had an inspection of any sort - for fire safety or for crib safety, or for knowledge of basic first aid. And worst of all, in this case, there was no opportunity to do a background check on adults living in her home.
Ohio is one of only five states in the country (the others being South Dakota, Idaho, Louisiana, and New Jersey) that does not regulate home-based child care businesses until there are at least seven children in care.
Do we really need to have one tragedy after another before Ohio will agree to regulate these businesses?
Home-based child care is the largest legally-operating business in the underground economy. Bringing these businesses out from under the table would bring a double benefit - children would be safer and taxes could be collected on these (now) known businesses. Who could argue with that?
Ready to rumble.This discussion has been closed.
Re: Something to ponder re. in-home child care
Fantastic article. I had no idea that Ohio was one of only 5 states that doesn't require licensing for in-home care.
And that guy? What a waste of flesh.
Tyler Anthony arrived on 9.21.09
The Chronicles of Justin and Tyler
So, in every other state, one is required to obtain a license to care for ANY child in their home? Who is policing those who don't, the "underground" care providers?
OMG - totes.
Given the experience I had with in home day care, I would never think about using someone who is unlicensed ever again. No way. If anyone is considering using someone who is unlicensed, please PM me. I will share the details of my experience with you. It's a scary world for these little ones. Especially when they can't tell you about their day.
Before I start an argument here, I am very much aware that things can happen in a licensed day care, too. But it is less likely if the state is checking in, and the provider's reputation hinges on running a safe day care that qualifies to state standards.
FWIW, when my DH heard what that guy did, he said "That guy should thank his maker that he has the protection of jail to keep those parents from giving him what he deserves." Worthless piece of sh......
Yeah - I'm un-licensed, but I do claim every penny on my taxes.
I would actually LOVE it if all in-home childcare had to be licensed. I feel like there are waaaaayyy too many people who do this who have absolutely no knowledge of child development, first aide, food safety, even coomon sense...
My only reasoning for NOT getting licensed was that it was a lot of work and a little extra cost. I am already charging at the higher end for childcare, so it didn't seem fair to me to kick that cost back on to the parents. If I had to do it or if one of my parents insisted I become licensed, I would have no problem doing it.
I think the problem is that there will always be bad providers who continue to do it under the table, even if there was a law. And even when your licensed, you don't get visited often or anything. Parents are the only people who control who stays in business and who doesn't. And if you don't have much to spend on childcare, you normally end up with the bottom of the barrell. It's sad.
And that guy is sick. Seriously disgusting. And I hope they investigated the mother too. 117 federal charges? How does that even happen?
Hey now... I know you would love for B to come play at my house.
Even though you've never been here...
I know the details of your experience, it royally stinks that you had to deal with a crazy. And I called Goddard for preschool, BTW. OM$$$
I can see where it's easy to jump on the "everyone must be licensed" bandwagon. I chose to sent my children to a licensed 4C in-home facility. She is WONDERFUL and I can't imagine being anywhere else. It was my choice to select a licensed care-giver who had CPR first aid training. It was my choice to ask LOTS of questions etc. I knew by sending my child to an in-home provider that I was resonsible for doing my homework, I am the parent after all.
I guess my point is, making everyone licensed will not end "undrground" operations. It will not make bad things stop happening to kids in licensed facilities either. I think as parents we are responsible for doing our part in selecting a good provider, in-home or not. I had every right to ask my sitter for a backround check, after all she is much cheaper than a facility, so I could have easily spent a bit up-front to do the major investigation if I would have felt the need. Just trying to give the other side to this story.
I've worked for a church based daycare and I have done in home daycare myself and although I can see the need I also see it as a huge PITA for a casual daycare/sitter like myself. I only ever watch 2 children on top of my own at any one time. the people I usually sit for or care for the LO's are usually friends that I have known for years. I don't take children whom I do not know the parents at least on a Christmas Card basis.
I guess I am more diligent than some but it would not be profitable for me to have to go through the whole licensing procedure unless I planned to take the maximum number of kids and/or infants and undertake all the training that I know it entails like Child Abuse classes etc... all of which I had to do and renew over and over when I worked for the church.
I was also under the impression that licensing was mandatory if you planned to or kept over a certain number of children
No offense intended. I am once bitten, twice shy. Yep, we did the whole crazy arse idiot in hiding thing, and it took 1.5 years for the crazy to be obvious. Not everyone is that way, but there are enough stories out there to make you worry about the possibility.
Yeah, I got the Goddard sticker shock too. About died at the thought of having to pay that for 2 (if there ever is another one). Honestly, they are worth every single penny. My girly wants to go there 7 days a week because she loves them so much. We love what they do for her. I hate the bill every month, but we are seriously thinking about sending her to Kindergarten there too. They rock!
I'm too afraid to call Goddard because I know they're going to be super expensive, but I am just not ready to hear it from them.
We used MIL exclusively until January. Then a logistical issue caused us to find another option for a few days/week. Nothing against my MIL, just 90+ minutes of travel time when it would be 30 ish isn't realistic. We didn't even consider an in home center for a multitude of reasons- with the lack of checks and balances being at the top of the list. Other things that directed us towards a center- licensing, structure, and the fact that DS would be around other kids his age (and not an eclectic group).
We love our center- B seems to love it too. My non-talker apparently woke up this morning and immediately said "school, yay!" before saying "dada" (I wasn't home). He was ready to go and has been asking to go since the last time he was there. He only goes part time.
Anyway, I personally like the accountability of a center- it's inspected by the state, there's multiple people keeping an eye on the different rooms, and a video camera at the front where you'd have no idea if someone was watching or not. But at any given time, you can peek in on any of the rooms in the center. That alone is comforting.
I will say that I am sure there are lots of great in home sitters out there, but for us, a center was the only option we'd consider. I wish it was easier to get licensed- if they start requiring it, I believe they should make it somewhat easier to get a basic license.
Completely agree with you, linzpinz... (and Mrs.Cooley, too).
DD has happily received quality care 2.5 years now from an in-home sitter, who I wholeheartedly trust and for whom our family has great respect. She is not licensed, but has been providing care for over 25 years for teachers in my district. I did a background check on her (which she supported and had no issues with), and I always receive a detailed summary of Madelyn's day.
Like linzpinz, she claims every cent of income on her taxes, and she is very flexible and always listens to her parents' concerns or questions. We pay at the higher end of the spectrum for DD's in-home care, and will continue to do so when DD #2 arrives and I go back to work. It is all worth it so that I may continue to work in a career I love going to each day.
And this worthless excuse of a human being, he better get all that's coming to him for his heinous crimes. Sicko.
Anyone can say they are trustworthy. And yes, if I'm paying someone to care for MY children, I do need some check points in place to be sure. That's not "ridiculous" in the least.