A question about childcare providers and licensing...

[JillMelissa]

Hey guys! :wavey:

I know I should know the answer to this question, but... :blush1:

My cousin and her husband are expecting twins this summer and are planning to have a friend of the family come to their house each day to take care of the babies. They are going to be paying her (not sure if that makes a difference to my question or not!). My mom mentioned that the friend would need to be a licensed childcare provider - and my question is, why? I don't know anything about this (I am a SHAM) so I am hoping someone can give me some insight, so that I can then go back to my cousin and explain the importance of the friend getting a childcare license.

Thanks for the help... sorry for the stupid question! :lol:

[Brooke]

The person doesn't HAVE to be licensed. Lots of people watch other people's kids and they aren't licensed.

This is what the pamphlet I have says about it in Maryland. It's from the Child Care Administration of Maryland.


You may choose to have a friend or relative come to your home to provide care for your child. Or you may wish to have a relative care for your child in the relative's home. These informal kinds of child care are recognized under Maryland law and are not regulated. However, if you choose an informal caregiver who is not a relative and who cares for your child outside your home for more than 20 hours per month, Maryland Law requires that caregiver be licensed.

[Marcella]

Well... I'm obviously breaking the law! :blush: A friend of ours (NOT a relative) watches Amelia full time, and she's not licensed. Doesn't mean a bit of difference to me.. since she's a SAHM to her two children, and I see the way she's raising them. That, to me, is more important than anything.

[Faye]

Well... I'm obviously breaking the law! :blush: A friend of ours (NOT a relative) watches Amelia full time, and she's not licensed. Doesn't mean a bit of difference to me.. since she's a SAHM to her two children, and I see the way she's raising them. That, to me, is more important than anything. I too would go with someone even if they didn't have a license, but most people in our town do have a license even if doing it in their own home. But the majority of the ones I've met with tell me that they are considered licensed when they do simple things like post a schedule for the week of what the children will do by age groups, post food schedules each week, have handbooks and information sheets for the parents, take CPR, etc. All of that are just things that they have to do to run a good daycare anyway, whether they are licensed or not, but who knows if they even go by it every single day when you aren't there to see it. I just think as long as they are good people and the kids they have already seem very well taken care of then that's all that matters.