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Alleycat12321 03:50 PM 06-16-2016
Hello,
I have run an in-home daycare for 8 years now, but I am unlicensed.
I have and follow all rules and regulations, but do not hold a license. We have moved a couple times since we started, but are in a place now that we will hopefully be buying one day and have no long term plans to move. I would like to get a license, but have held off for many years because I am afraid if I try to start the process now I will lose the kids I have. Has anyone gotten licensed when they already have kids attending?
I am in Colorado, and if you have more than one family, you are required to be licensed. The state "knows" I am unlicensed, as I had an angry parent turn us in for kicking her kid out (he was trying to suffocate other children) The police officer said "you should probably get licensed" but that was all.
Please no rude comments or remarks. I know that I need to be, and have been trying for MANY years (have completed all background checks/finger printing, and have started the process, but have not completed it because of moving or fear of losing my current kids)
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Thriftylady 03:53 PM 06-16-2016
Why do you fear loosing your current kids over it? It seems it would make them more likely to stay.

I am not going to judge you, because I am legally unlicensed, but as you go through the process, make sure you are in compliance with ratios and such. If they find you are not, some states will never issue you a license. You may be in complete compliance now, and if that is the case I wouldn't see an issue for you.
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spedmommy4 04:22 PM 06-16-2016
Originally Posted by Alleycat12321:
Hello,
I have run an in-home daycare for 8 years now, but I am unlicensed.
I have and follow all rules and regulations, but do not hold a license. We have moved a couple times since we started, but are in a place now that we will hopefully be buying one day and have no long term plans to move. I would like to get a license, but have held off for many years because I am afraid if I try to start the process now I will lose the kids I have. Has anyone gotten licensed when they already have kids attending?
I am in Colorado, and if you have more than one family, you are required to be licensed. The state "knows" I am unlicensed, as I had an angry parent turn us in for kicking her kid out (he was trying to suffocate other children) The police officer said "you should probably get licensed" but that was all.
Please no rude comments or remarks. I know that I need to be, and have been trying for MANY years (have completed all background checks/finger printing, and have started the process, but have not completed it because of moving or fear of losing my current kids)
It sounds like your big concern is licensing coming in and finding that you are supposed to be caring for one child, but have more. I wouldn't advise violating licensing laws in your state.

But, since you are in the process of getting a license, in my experience they generally don't show up until it's time to do a pass/fail inspection to give you the license. That inspection is also generally scheduled so you know they are going to come. In theory, you could prepare for the visit and close just on the day or afternoon of the inspection.
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AmyKidsCo 08:12 PM 06-16-2016
I think it's great that you've decided to become licensed!

How long is the licensing process? In WI they give a provisional license to providers who are going through the process. It's like being licensed except you have a certain amount of time to complete the licensing process. If CO doesn't have anything like that maybe you could let your parents know what's going on so if the state does shut you down they'll have a back-up plan and hopefully re-enroll when you're licensed.

Or you could have a friend call licensing and ask what would happen if someone who was providing care without a license decided to become licensed, would there be penalties.
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Controlled Chaos 12:22 PM 06-17-2016
Hi! I got licensed while watching more kids than I was legally supposed to be. I had not understood the rules, read them all and thought I was running legally unlicensed. Then upon re reading them 1.5 years later I realized I wasn't - oops! I could have 5 kids total and I thought I could have 7. So, when I realized the mistake, DH and I found a house to move into (we were in an apartment we couldn't be licensed in which is why I hadn't previously gotten licensed). I did continue caring for the too many children through the 5 months it took to move, set up the new space and complete my license. It was a risk and as a rule follower it gave me great anxiety, but my family had become dependent on the income and I figured I was in the process of making it right. When the licensing specialist made the appointment to come inspect my home I closed for the day so just my children were present.

Get licensed! Its not as hard as it seems And you can breathe a big sigh of relief when its over.
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Alleycat12321 01:30 PM 06-17-2016
Thriftylady- Mostly I am afraid of the state having the families leave. I don't believe anyone would chose to leave (though several of them like that I am not licensed) I follow all ratios and such and act as if I am licensed as far as those go.

Spedmommy4- Thanks for the info, I was thinking it would be scheduled too. I want to get this worked out!

Amykidsco- The process takes a couple months as long as you don't have to make a ton of repairs/changes. I don't believe CO has any provisional/temporary licenses.

Controlled Chaos- Yes exactly what happened to me! I misunderstood the "license exempt rules" and thought that I did not need one. Later to find out that you actually still have to apply for a license exemption. We run a Christian program, and were told if 70-75% of our day was spent in "religious activity" that we didn't need a license. Later to find out that you have to turn in paperwork and information to prove this. I actually didn't find out until a parent was getting ready to start with us and her husband asked someone about license exceptions and let me know that there was still paperwork to turn in to get it. We started the process of getting licensed shortly after, but I couldn't imagine losing my job. I have has some of these kids for 5 or their 5 1/2 years!

I know that it will be much easier to advertise and fill my spots once licensed!
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Alleycat12321 10:03 PM 06-19-2016
So I will be starting the licensing process! I have a couple more questions for you fine folks...

If I have already done the finger printing a few years ago, do I need to do it again?
During the inspection do I need to show spaces where kid won't be (or at least not often)
Are pets an issue?
Any other tips?
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Blackcat31 06:02 AM 06-20-2016
Originally Posted by Alleycat12321:
So I will be starting the licensing process! I have a couple more questions for you fine folks...

If I have already done the finger printing a few years ago, do I need to do it again?
During the inspection do I need to show spaces where kid won't be (or at least not often)
Are pets an issue?
Any other tips?
Every state seems to have their own requirements for those things.
You will probably be able to find the answer to all those things here https://www.daycare.com/colorado/
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Mickey 09:09 AM 06-20-2016
I'm not in your state but a lot of states fine you per day for operating illegally. Like $100/day. Be careful
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Tags:illegal daycare, illegal providers, license
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