Daycare Concerns

As others stated, she is in violation in several ways for the state/county rules.

If she is unlicensed, she can only care for children form one family un-related to her.

Once licesned she can likely only have a license that allows for a total of 8 children, 6 of which can be under school age and of that 6, 3 can be under 24 mos, and of that 3, only 2 can be under 12 mos. Confusing, I know, but that is the breakdown. She could get licensed for 10, with 8 under school age and the same under 24 mos breakdown if she qualified with a college education or other specific childcare background as determined by the state/county guidelines at the time of licensing.

A seperate space for infants to sleep in not required (a seperate room), but appropriate spaces (approved, safe cribs or pack N plays for those under 12 mos, sleeping bags, mats, cots, etc for those older, etc...there are regulations and guidelines in place...this is part of what licensing is for.

Honestly I would not recommend anyone send their infant or very young child to an unlicensed care giver (other than a trusted relative). We as licensed providers have rules and regulations that govern our home based businesses...and a professional and conscientious provider will adhere to those regulations and provide a safe and enriching environment for your child to be in while you are attending to your work/school obligations that pull you away from your child.

They should have a contract and policies well written so you know what things are costing and you are both on the same page and expectations on the business side of things (hours and payment, illness policies and time off, etc...forms and permission slips and all of the things required by the county as well)....

If you need some resources for locating childcare, check these places out online. Both are free MN resources for parents to access LICENSED providers and give options to search by city names or zip codes.

www.mnchildcare.org
(right side of the screen asks if you are searching for childcare)
www.providerschoice.com
(left side of the screen asks if you "need childcare in MN?")

Good luck!

Hello,

I was a licensed provider in Hennipen County before moving. Here is a link that will explain the ratio of kids to an adult. First off since she is NOT licensed, she is not allowed to care for more than 1 unrelated family at a time. Also, she has WAY to many infants in her care.

If it was me I would take my child out immediatly. It may be convinent to take your baby there, but I wouldn't sacrifice my childs well being for that.

I don't know if you signed a contract with her, but if you didn't you would not be required to give notice. If you did sign something that stated you would give a 2wk notice, than you would have to give her notice, even if it meant paying her for those 2 weeks even though your child would not be going to her. You would have a leg to stand on if you didn't want to give notice (if required), as she is providing Daycare without a license and has too many kids in her care.

Good Luck!

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=9502.0367

She's breaking the law for providing care unlicensed and I'd report her to authorities. It's up to her to do her research.
http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/hs/childcare/docs/GeneralLicen...

I'd personally consider leaving her because of her hours and shortness and not being licensed.

My previous daycare lady has never shown shortness with me or any of the kids. The lady before was short with the kids and after she told me she spanked our child we left her.

Here's a link on child/provider ratio's https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=9502.0367

I would want my child in a seperate room to sleep or where there is a wall dividing any activity going on. Both daycares I've had though, the kids slept on the floor or on cots in the livingroom. All kids slept so there was no other activity going on. If for some reason there was someone who wouldn't sleep the provider could take them around the corner in another part of the room and do a quiet activity. At the first lady we had the kids in cribs slept in another room.

You could call the Dakota County licensing center and ask them about their rules. You can check if a person has had a negative action on a license by calling your county’s social service licensing department at ###-###-####.

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=9502
Subp. 3.Newborn care. When a newborn is in care and only one adult caregiver is present, the newborn shall be the only child under 12 months of age and the provider shall not care for more than two other children at the same time unless another adult caregiver is also present or the newborn is the provider's own.

Get your child out and find another LICENSED daycare. You may have to pay more but your child's wellbeing is well worth it. Good luck!

I would say this is a very questionable service, and I honestly would contact the county....first there isn't enough room, and her getting licensed she should already know what the appropriate sleeping areas required by LAW are for children in daycare...

not only would I take my child out, I would report her, immediately.

and no, you are not the one responsible of 'knowing' what you owe her...daycare is still business, she should be responsible for that, you are only to be responsible on your end.

I don't even have a licensed day care I send my boys to, after seeing some of the places who were licensed who I was surprised were licensed, I went with my current, she is right where she should be for the limit of children in her care and she has proper sleeping areas for each child, proper room to play...

I agree that you should take your baby out of there today. I wouldn't give any notice, even if you end up paying more. That sounds like a dangerous situation. I can tell you know it's just not right - you should trust your instincts.

Take your baby out of there!