Do the Rules Apply to Unregulated Dayhome Operators?
A recent post in our Child Care Community Portal asked whether or not unregulated dayhome operators need to comply with the rules governing regulated care as it pertains to the number of children allowed and the ages of these children.
While it may be tempting to think the rules do not apply to independent home child care providers, you might want to think again. I've personally know of cases where the government did step in when complaints were lodged and the providers were clearly caring for too many children at one time. The result: the cargivers were given 24 hours to comply with the rules or be forced to shut down.
In the Day Nurseries Act of Ontario, as in the governing rules for licensed home daycares in other provinces and states, there is a clause with regards to the numbers and ages of children who can be in care at any given time. Even though some governments only set out guidelines for dayhome operators working under dayhome agencies (licensed by the agency), they can, and will, as I mentioned above, step in when unregulated caregivers breach the rules.
It is up to each dayhome operator, licensed or otherwise, to know their provincial or state regulations. It can save a lot of grief should parents be concerned about the ages and numbers of children in your care. It also protects caregivers insurance wise.
The best advice I can give you is to obtain a copy of your licensing regulations and go over it with a fine-tooth comb. Highlight every clause that pertains to home daycare so that you can reference it quickly when need be. Most of all, run your business accordingly.
Provincial and state licensing links are available at: http://www.childcare.net/licensing.shtml.
You'll also find valuable information on the topic in Start and Run a Home Daycare.
Catherine Pruissen
CEO/Founder
http://childcare.net
http://www.childcare.net/catalog/catalog/
