Help with Daycare in neighborhood

[Oscar]

I live in Pennsylvania and I think that my neighbor is running a daycare from her home. My neighborhood is striclty a residential zone, so I do not believe this is licensed. There are anywhere from 14-16 kids there daily from 1:00 - 5:00, elementary school age. There is only one adult present and she is frequently asleep in a hammock while the children play. I am concerned for the safety of the children, but also the noise is outrageous. The house lots are only 1/8 of an acre so usually half of the children are in my yard and the lack of supervision worries me since I would be liable for any accidents they had in my yard. Does anyone know a way for me to find out the regulations in PA and how to get this shut down. Thanks for your input. :)

[Unregistered]

Check your city Planning Dept to find if your neighborhood is zoned for home businesses. Then contact your Child Care Division to see if they are registered, if not, they can probably give you ideas on how to handle your neighbor. There is always the media too.



Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Departments of Education and Public Welfare
333 Market Street 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: 717-346-9320
Toll Free: 877-4-PA-KIDS (877-472-5437, within State)
Fax: 717-346-9330
Web Site: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/ChildCare/

[Unregistered]

get a life of you own and stop worrying about your neighbor.

[daycaremom1998]

First of all, you have every right to be worried about your neighbor and the business she is doing. You are right, if children are in your yard and they get hurt, you pay the price.

I recommend that you anonymously contact your city zoning department. My neighborhood is zoned residential, but an application can be filled out to have just one home zoned for business if all the requirements are met; so it is possible that she has done this if the same holds true where you live. If she is zoned for business, ask this same department how many children she is zoned to have. Sometimes the number of children allowed are different between the city and state agencies. Next, you can contact your county or state daycare licensing agency. This phone number is usually listed in your phone book in the city, county, and state sections under Human Services or Daycare Licensing. Most likely with that many children, she isn't licensed. In the state I live in, if we want to have more than 8 children, we have to apply for a large daycare home license and hire an assistant.

If you have witnessed her not supervising these children, then you definitely need to check into this. Let me put it to you this way... if something were to happen to one of those children, and the police come to you and ask questions like... did you ever see this lady not supervising these children?... and you answer yes I did, there is a strong possibility that you can be charged as an accessory to any charges that are brought against her. It is called Failure to Report.

I hope this helps.