Does a daycare have to be liscensed?Does it matter

[starsmom]

I am thinking of doing daycare..I need a job and my kids school schedules really require me to be home..I have four free hours from when one goes to when one is home. I was wondering,being a mother-which gives experience no class will teach - and also formerly being a nurse,so I don't need CPR,etc..do I HAVE to have a daycare license? Isn't it the parents call as to where they choose to leave their child? Can I just start my business and let the parents make an informed choice? I am really not familiar with the law on this one and am trying to go about it the right way,but these classes seem redundant and more geared to those without experience with children.

[Geek]

You can do it. But it is illegal. If a child gets hurt in your care the parents can and will take everything you own.

[SoMDGirl42]

and it's a little thing called income tax evasion (unless you do it for a family member I believe)

[whome20603]

Originally Posted by Geek

You can do it. But it is illegal. If a child gets hurt in your care the parents can and will take everything you own.

You could "babysit"...somehow that's different. Daycare providers have certain stipulations and some things in their homes have to be tested. For example, you can only watch a certain amount of children and only a certain number can be under a certain age and you'd have to have your water tested for bacteria only, I think. Just be very careful because you do open yourself up to a lot of liability.

[starsmom]

Originally Posted by Geek

You can do it. But it is illegal. If a child gets hurt in your care the parents can and will take everything you own.

SO babysitting is illegal?! I am not trying to be a smartass or anything,but seriously,if I offer to watch someones child and they know that I am just babysitting,that is illegal? Wow...I broke some laws big time in high school! I am confused here..I had my first child at 18. My mom watched her for me,but at one time I thought I would need childcare and was told by child support enforcement that my ex had to reimburse whomever was watching her,whether it was a daycare center,sitter,what ever. So he ended up paying my mom,lol. That was illegal? - I mean the babysitting,not the paying her..we all know exactly what I was doing with that,don't we?

[starsmom]

Originally Posted by whome20603

You could "babysit"...somehow that's different. Daycare providers have certain stipulations and some things in their homes have to be tested. For example, you can only watch a certain amount of children and only a certain number can be under a certain age and you'd have to have your water tested for bacteria only, I think. Just be very careful because you do open yourself up to a lot of liability.

How am I not liable if someone's child gets hurt if I am licensed? Aren't I still responsible? And am I way off base here...can I make a decent income doing this - is there a demand?

[Geek]

Originally Posted by starsmom

SO babysitting is illegal?! I am not trying to be a smartass or anything,but seriously,if I offer to watch someones child and they know that I am just babysitting,that is illegal? Wow...I broke some laws big time in high school! I am confused here..I had my first child at 18. My mom watched her for me,but at one time I thought I would need childcare and was told by child support enforcement that my ex had to reimburse whomever was watching her,whether it was a daycare center,sitter,what ever. So he ended up paying my mom,lol. That was illegal? - I mean the babysitting,not the paying her..we all know exactly what I was doing with that,don't we?

Do a little reading.

Child Care Classifieds - Southern Maryland Online

[shannonbrio]

[quote=starsmom;2824317]- and also formerly being a nurse,so I don't need CPR,etc..QUOTE]

Any nurse former or not should know that recertification is required every 2 years. Yeah thats good.

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by SoMDGirl42

and it's a little thing called income tax evasion (unless you do it for a family member I believe)

What if she were to file a 1099?

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by starsmom

Does a daycare have to be liscensed?Does it matter.

Yes and yes.