Childcare License Question

I'm in Iowa, but I looked up the state Department of Human Services website and it had a link there for becoming a registered in-home provider under Providing childcare services headline. Here is the Iowa link- just to give you an idea. http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Child_Care/ChildCare...

i ended up just taking on one child and not registering just yet. There is a lot involved in registering, but if you're gonna take on many kids, i think it'd be worth it.

another website that i found helpful in drawing up my parent handbook was: earlychildhoodlinks.com they have a whole section for childcare providers in addition to many other fun links.

hope this helps! Good luck!

It looks like most people answered your question as if you wanted to do un-licensed childcare, but I didn't get that from your post? Maybe I am wrong??

To get licensed (I am licensed in Hennepin county but I am sure its fairly similar all around the metro), look online for your county ..heres the place, but for some reason my links are not working wherever I copy them today!

http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/hs/childcare/index.htm

But usually there is an orientation meeting (large group type) and then you can get all sorts of information and packets....and if you wish to pursue it further you fill that stuff out, send it in and they contact you about a small group meeting for more detailed stuff...then theres alot of getting your house up to code, fire Marshall inspections, some training to do like CPR, First Aid, SIDS and Shaken Baby(its ridiculous really how little they require). Other stuff is a good idea like contracts and policies, taxes and recordkeeping...alot of business stuff.

Getting licensed for your whole house is best if you can. Many counties around the metro now are pushing this rule that since your own children count on your license, they have to be in compliance with all of the same rules...so if their rooms are NOT licensed areas of the house, they cannot be in them during business hours...etc...something we are hearing more about. Once licensed...join a neighborhhod group! They are a great resource for networking, possibly mentoring and likely they have a referral network which can help you get clients.

As far as cost..not sure in your county, but its $130 here in Henn Cty...a few years ago, it cost nothing, but of course budget cuts changed all of that, but thats ok...most business pay a fee for licensing, we should be no different I suppose and its not that steep, after all...certainly could be worse!

Good Luck!

I am a licensed daycare provider in Shakopee, Mn and have been for 6 years. If you are un-licensed, you can only care for one unrelated family, however many children that family may have.
I am also a mom to 4 children under the age of 7, and can tell you it is well worth being home with your own and can totally relate to the cost of childcare and looking to work, yet be home with own children. Good Luck.

In NE you can watch up to 5 children at one time as an unlicensed daycare. But your children under the age of 8 count in that number.

You can care for one unrelated family. Doesn't matter how many kids they have, just have to be from one family...

In MN you can care for the children of one family without being licensed.

In Wisconsin it is 3 children under the age of 6.

Legal Unlicensed Child Care
People who provide childcare in Minnesota must have a license from the Department of
Human Services. It is a misdemeanor to provide childcare without a license. Under
Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.03, subdivision 2, there are two exceptions to this rule:
1. You may provide care for children who are related to you, and from children from one
single unrelated family.
2. You may provide unlicensed childcare for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in
any 12-month period.http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/hs/childcare/docs/GeneralLicen...

Unlicensed Care:
If you choose someone who is unlicensed, be sure they are following the law. In Minnesota a person may do unlicensed care if they care for relatives and one unrelated family. This includes the caregiver’s own children.

A person cannot do unlicensed care if they have applied for child care and they were denied a license, had their license revoked, or their license is currently suspended. You can check if a person has had a negative action on a license by calling your county’s social service licensing department at ###-###-####.

If a person is caring for more children and is doing so illegally, you may have your child care disrupted by the fact that they may be cited for illegal child care. This could cause a problem in looking for alternative care without having the time to choose carefully, as well as being a disruption to your child. Using illegal unlicensed care is risky and ill-advised.
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/PublicWeb/Templates/BasicWLeft...