Dangers of unlicensed day care centers

Unlicensed day care centers cast a pall upon all the good care providers out there that follow the law. An unlicensed day care can pick and choose certain laws and statutes they think are important. Operating an unlicensed day care is the equivalent of operating a restaurant without the proper safety and cleanliness guidelines.  According to New York State Office of Children and Family Services as a general rule, any day care program planning to serve three or more children for more than three hours a day on a regular basis must obtain a license or registration certificate. Many parents are not aware that in New York your own child counts toward your ratio. You may legally only care for 2 children without being licensed. Taking 2 children besides your own child is illegal.  To obtain this certificate, the applicant must show that the day care program meets requirements that the state has established to help ensure the health and safety of children in care. 

            Licensing day care facilities is critical because the license ensures proper safety oversight by the State, and that the staff has the state-mandated training and experience to care for toddlers (children under 3 years old) and preschool children. Mandated training includes 30 hours of safety and security education every two years.  Parents of toddlers and preschoolers have the resources at their fingertips to ensure that the facility they are sending their child to is in compliance with the current NYSOCFS regulations and that the staff have the credentials to properly care for their children.  Parents can access the information at http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/childcare/ccfs_template.asp  The issuance of a license also allows the state to ensure that facilities are following proper safety, transportation, health and nutrition guidelines at their day cares.  By not getting a license, illegal day care centers can avoid oversight of their safety procedures and they can get around hiring staff that have the critical training needed to care for toddlers and small children.

As the co-owner of Little People’s Center; a NYS licensed day care center located in Medford, NY, I know first hand of the requirements and dedication it takes to care for children.  For the last 40 years, Little People’s Center continues to be a full year learning center that provides consistent, loving childcare.  We believe children are our most important resources and are, therefore, treated as such.  The children at our center are provided with a balanced curriculum, reading readiness, and mathematical preparation.  In addition, they enjoy many opportunities to play and experiment.  We have a large fenced in outdoor play area where the children delight in games, building and exercise. 

We continue to be here to serve the families in this community with consistent quality childcare as a licensed day care center that has a safe environment for children and that is checked regularly. All our staff has to be licensed in CPR and first aid, and pass a background check through the state.  These requirements are not about the state making money off the license but trying to keep children safe. 

for more information on Little People's Center visit our website at www.littlepeopleschildcare.org or like us on Facebook.