Conference moira::parenting_v3

    You should probably contact the Massachusetts Office for Children, who
    is responsible for overseeing all daycare establishments in the state. 
    I'm sure they have brochures describing licensing requirements, etc.

    I called the OFC for the licensing paperwork.  There was alot of stuff
    in there.  Your home will be inspected, you have to provide a bed for
    each child, a certain amount of play space, age-appropriate toys, etc.
    You are limited to 6 children (unless you have help), even if you take
    care of your friend's kid, you MUST be licensed.  Definately call and
    get the paperwork.  It doesn't take long to get the information, but it
    takes quite a long time to get licensed.  You should check to see what
    they say about doing the day care while your license is in process.
    It is very involved.  One thing I did not know - all children must be
    kept on the main floor of your home when sleeping.  In other words, you
    can;t put them upstairs for a nap while you watch your soaps in the
    family room downstairs - if there was a fire, you wouldn't be able to
    get to them in all likelihood.  This one was a catch to me.
    
    -sandy
      

    RE: .-1
    
    A slight correction/clarification to the above reply.  The rules state
    that the children must sleep in "approved" areas.  Usually in the home
    setting, the requirement for two separate exits is not met for the
    second floor.  That means that the second floor is not counted toward
    the required square footage per child either.  If your house has two
    exits from the second floor, you can use this as both play and sleeping
    area.
    
    
    Sleeping areas or "beds" can be enclosed areas such as crawl spaces
    with blankets, sleeping bags or mats.  You are not required to have a
    bed for each child.  We currently have 5 kids (2 are ours) and let ours
    use their own rooms on floor 2.  We have two playpens for the younger
    ones and the oldest sleeps on a blanket.
    
    Dan
    
    P.S.  Having 5 kids helps the income but doesn't necessarily allow a
    "quiet" day at home...
    
    

    .2> even if you take care of your friend's kid, you MUST be licensed
    
    Just curious, and thought other noters might be.  What are the criteria
    that determine the situation to be a "home care" requiring licensing,
    vs. a babysitting situation?  Number of hours per week?  The statement
    above, taken at face value, would seem to condemn babysitting as an
    illegal activity in Massachusetts!!
    
    Leslie

    I remember reading this somewhere - the criteria  for home care has to
    do with watching children who are not yours, on a regular basis, and
    something to do with the parent working.

    RE: .4,.5
    
    The key point is regular care.  If you have a babysitter that comes
    once a week even every week, that is still babysitting.  Daycare is as
    it sounds DAY care.  The licensing is protection for both the provider
    and the parents.  Supposedly, licensing is to insure a certain level of
    safety for the children and to instill some confidence in the provider.
    
    By getting a license, the provider makes a commitment to the business. 
    Also, only with a license, can you obtain insurance.
    
    Dan

    According to the state bookstore, you can buy copies of these 
    regulations through the mail:
	
						Price if ordered separately
    Type of day care	Document no.	    	through the mail
    ----------------    --------------------    ---------------------------
	Group		102CMR section 7	$ .75  + $ .75 postage
	Family		102CMR section 8  	$1.75  + $1.25 postage
	School-age	102CMR section 11 	$ .75  + $ .75 postage

    If you order all three together, it's $3.25 + $2.20 postage, for a
    total of $5.45.

    Make the check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  
    Mail it to:

    	State Bookstore
    	Room 116
    	State House
    	Boston, MA  02133

    Their phone number is (617)727-2834.
    
    john