New and or Changed Policies

[infinityj]

I'm getting ready to do an annual review of my handbook and contract. I'm wondering, what is one policy you were nervous to implement or change, but once you did, it was the best decision you ever made?

I'm considering giving myself more paid closures or writing a policy that allows me to close for my own children's school activities. I'm already big on only taking clients that have back up care. I'd rather keep my weekly rates lower and have the freedom to close when I need to. Then, when/if they complain, I just refer them to the local more expensive center that has less closures and more available care hours.

[Valerie928]

Price increase is always a nail biter But inflation is very real right now especially!

I think it's important to attend your children's activities!

[GirlMomma]

In 2023 I am closing for ALL federal holidays whereas now I just close for three. My DD will be playing for the schools team next year, so I will have to close at 4:00, maybe earlier, to make those games. Am I worried that will effect my business? To some degree, yes. But I don’t think my parents would want to miss their children’s games either. It would only be temporary, I think 2x/week for 6 or so weeks.

With the high inflation right now, I am still trying to figure out what to do. On one hand, I could add a child to my last spot and be totally fine. But on the other hand, I have a reallllly great group and an even better groove going. Anytime I’ve filled that spot - it’s been a nightmare. I want to increase rate for the parents that started with me, but I am reluctant to do it. Not sure why… LOL I guess because I know there are in-home providers cheaper than me. But they aren’t me so I need tp suck it up and just do it. Those other in home providers/centers likely don’t have spots open anyways

[Momboss]

I changed some of my polices and told parents about it when i handed them the new handbook to sign (i have them sign a new one every year), I wasnt specific but I said i added/changed some things. They never read it. So changing things is easy. If they question something, i remind them they signed and agreed lol. I gave myself more vacation time, took out a policy, a couple other minor things.

[Sara0715]

Does anyone have a home daycare without a license? What is your experience? I have tons of experience - 8 plus years and I'm CPR and First Aid certified as well as Fingerprinted with a clean background. I know English a a native and don't have any helpers that are illegal. I run a pretty small daycare with just 4-5 kids. Most of my families pay me well. I can't get a license because my son who lives in the house has a background. He's underage so I'm waiting till he moves out to apply for a license. What do you guys tell your parents about why you don't have a license and how many people here operate without a license?

[Alwaysgreener]

Depends, I'm my state you are required to have a license and if I get caught having a daycare without a license, I could be fined and or sent to jail. If your state allows daycares to run without a license, then just let the parents know you are license exempt and that you follow all the license exempt rules and guidelines and leave it at that.

[GirlMomma]

I am legally unlicensed. I don’t sugarcoat it for families, although what Alwaysgreener said is perfectly fine. I tell parents that while I follow the state’s licensing regulations, I am legally unlicensed because I don’t want the state having control over my home and 99.9% of them understand. 🤷♀️

Both DH and I have clean backgrounds, we were fingerprinted right before I opened my daycare and we are both CPR certified with first aid training. DH subs for me when I have an appointment.

My FIL stayed with us briefly last fall. Even though he wasn’t around the DCK or left alone with the DCK, we still asked that he get fingerprinted.

[Blackcat31]

Does anyone have a home daycare without a license? What is your experience? I have tons of experience - 8 plus years and I'm CPR and First Aid certified as well as Fingerprinted with a clean background. I know English a a native and don't have any helpers that are illegal. I run a pretty small daycare with just 4-5 kids. Most of my families pay me well. I can't get a license because my son who lives in the house has a background. He's underage so I'm waiting till he moves out to apply for a license. What do you guys tell your parents about why you don't have a license and how many people here operate without a license?

Some states allow legally unlicensed care and some states do not.
Some states are super strict and others not so much
California, for example, is super strict and fines people up to $200 per day for unlicensed providers
Where are you located? Perhaps some one here can assist you with more information

[Blackcat31]

I can't get a license because my son who lives in the house has a background. He's underage so I'm waiting till he moves out to apply for a license. What do you guys tell your parents about why you don't have a license and how many people here operate without a license?

Ok I've been thinking about your post and the above bolded part doesn't really sit right with me. Do your families know your son has a background? If it's something that would bar you from being licensed, I think it's terribly deceitful to operate a child care without telling your clients the truth about the situation. They have a right to know about the home that they leave their children in. It makes no difference what type of program you run or whether your are or aren't experienced if you are operating knowing you shouldn't be.

There is a BIG difference between LEGALLY unlicensed or license exempt and being ILLEGAL.

It seems you are under the understanding that you should be licensed but are choosing not to be and depending on your state laws, that might be perfectly fine. However, other than full disclosure with parents, if you are operating illegally you are putting yourself at risk liability wise as illegal child care's are not covered by any type of liability insurance and if a child is injured while in your care you could be held 100% liable and lose everything you've got. That is pretty risky in my opinion.

Licensing does not imply quality care but honesty does so again depending on what your state rules are and what you tell your clients, you are risking alot.
Even if your state allows you to care for 4-5 kids without a license, the fact that your son has a background that would bar you from licensing concerns me.

[fivestarday]

My state allows for a maximum of 5 children who are unrelated to the provider. I find I am happiest with 5 at the most, so there is never any motivation to get licensed. The state is very aggressive about encouraging people like me to get regulated so they can refer my service to needy families who are on a voucher. I decline to jump through the hoops every time. I'd rather make less money. Neither my husband or myself has had a background check done. We'd be happy to if asked, but no one has. If I were more serious about making this into a long-term business, I'd get a background check and get licensed just so I could confidently say I follow and even exceed in many areas the best standards. But I plan on being done with this line of work in just two more summers. I've got one dcg in particular I am staying open for. She has special needs and so I feel a certain responsibility to provide for her. She is also the sweetest and easiest child to work with.

I'd have to agree that if your son has a background the families should know. I would want to know. Then again, as a parent, I would ask for a background check for everyone in a home if I was sending my ds there. The parents also have a responsibility to ask these questions. And you have a responsibility to provide honest answers. If you feel they are assuming your son is squeaky clean and you allow that assumption to continue, you also have a responsibility to let them know the facts. That's just my two cents. It's your business, though!