Question about day-care out of someone's home...

[stinkerbelle]

kadaten - wow - i googled and got the correct current information? sweet!

Yeah...we're going to keep on top of this...DH is also worried about kiddies wandering into OUR yard...as our yard still looks like a construction site (building was complete in November - and the builder still has to come back and clean up our yard and landscape...so there are a few items in the yard that wouldn't be good for children to be playing with - IE - pricker bushes, some random pipes/tubing, wood, etc...)

thanks again!

 

[jfulcer]

I too, would consider the 'random call' to authorities. If she has a sign up, it could have been a passing town official that saw the sign. That way you don't have to look like the bad guy and they will put up that fence that is what appears to be their responsibility.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'm just curious as to whether or not you've talked to your neighbor yet? I would definately discuss things with her before calling any authorities.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
I'm just curious as to whether or not you've talked to your neighbor yet? I would definately discuss things with her before calling any authorities.

No - not as of yet. DH is going to address it this weekend most likely.

 

[momof2inPA]

If you call authorities, your neighbor will probably call animal control the next time your dog wanders into her yard.

One: I would not send my kids to that daycare.

Two: If I had a dog, I would not let it wander onto the neighbor's property, whether or not daycare was in session.

Occassionally, my neighbors' dogs come on my property, which is a problem when my highly dog-allergic son is playing outside. I just talked to the neighbors about it, and now they keep the dogs in their own yards. Talking to your neighbor is probably your best solution.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by momof2inPA
Two: If I had a dog, I would not let it wander onto the neighbor's property, whether or not daycare was in session.

Um...as I stated before - we do not let our dog wander. My concern was if my dog bolted away from us.

I understand your concern...but please be aware that we are very mindful of our dog and do not let her roam/wander/do her business on/dig on anyone's property but our own.

 

[sorcerormickey]

Just keep in mind that if your DH does go and talk to them about a fence (even in a casual, passing mention) and nothing is done about it, then 'someone' (you or not you) reports the un-fenced yard - they may remember your DH's conversation and it may cause problems down the road. I would just pass the info along to the authorities and be done with it.

Good luck with whatever happens!

 

[pammypooh]

I have a Brittany spaniel also and can appreciate what you are saying about not wanting him/her around any kids that you do not know. Mine is just now beginning to settle down - he just turned 2.

That said, getting a license for day care is one thing that I hope the neighbor has done, but there is another thing as well. If this is a day care big enough to have a sign - and I assume a business name - there may be zoning issues and the neighbor could be in violation.

I live in PA and every local municipality has their own zoning. As this does affect you, I would certainly look into it to find out if a day care center is an approved use for the property. It may sound harsh, but if its not permitted, they would have to go for a zoning hearing and ask for a variance (I think is the term) to be permitted to operate at this property.

As you are not close friends with this family, it may be difficult to bring all this up with them in "casual conversation".

I would be more likely to look into it on my own with the municipality and just tell them, I would not want to be identified as the person reporting a problem, however, if it did come down to a zoning hearing, I would certainly be there to speak as a neighboring property owner.

Good luck to you and its too bad that your neighbor did not approach you first with a heads up. All of this might have been easily discussed over a cup of coffee and danish, with them excitedly telling you their plans, and you wishing them luck, after fully discussing drop off times, pick up times, fencing, noise, etc. ...oh if this were only a perfect world!

Best wishes from a fellow Brittany owner!

Pam

 

[stinkerbelle]

thank you pam.

and you are very lucky that your brittany is calming down at age 2...ours just turned 4 in December...she's still a hyper one! She justs likes to be around people...very jumpy and excited. She's still a pup at heart!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

If you just want to know about the status of the liscense, you can always call the State Liscensing Authority and ask if one has been granted.

You don't have to do it as "reporting," just act like an interested parent.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I just wanted to add that your neighbor might think that all fences are too expensive. We've put up a coated wire garden fence (four feet) that was very easy to install (I did it myself). It's not a super strong fence, but it keeps dogs out and gives the children bounderies as to where they can go (my children, I don't run a daycare). I suppose a really determined child could get out of it, but mine never have and neither has my friends son who is autistic and prone to running. Besides, it is strong enough that if someone is supervising the children there would be plety of time to stop the child from "escaping" It only cost a couple hundred dollars (as opposed to thousands) and we have a really large lot. As others have said, I would either offer to pay for half or consider putting one around your property (even though she should be the one to do it). We don't leash our dog on property and he does know how to get around the fence (it doesn't completely enclose the yard), but 99.9% of the time he stays within the fences boundaries.

 

[pkasbohm]

I am a daycare provider in Nebraska. Our laws might be different from yours but... we are not required to get a fence for our daycare unless we are less than 1 block away from a busy hiway or major street. If you do not have a fence you can not leave the children outside by themselves unsupervised. If you do have a fence(which I do) you can leave them unsupervised but they have to be atleast 3 years old.
I also know here in Nebraska that you have to apply for a daycare license and a state employee comes around to your house for a suprise visit once a year to make sure you are following all the state guidelines. However, she can come anytime your house is open for business and you have to let her in.
Also, If she just started her business she my have a certain amount of time that she has to have stuff done by. I know when I started my business I had to enclose my basement stairs and I had 60 days to get them enclosed before it became a violation. After the 60 days my state lady came back to make sure I had everything done. I also had to put new fire dectector in...the ones that are wired in to your electricity.
Like I said it may be different in your state,
Hope I helped you a little!
Pam

 

[Kermit]

I would also call the authorities without talking to her just to see what the rules are. They may not ever figure out why they're investigated if you don't talk to them first. If you talk about the fence first, they'll always blame you, even if someone else makes the call.

I do wonder if maybe pkasbohm is right and that they'll have to have a fence but not right away. They do generally let you open before you've met all of the requirements and then give you time to meet them.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I did a Google search on Connecticut for daycare liscensing. The standards you list are for a Group Daycare Center. Family Home Daycare is more lenient.

f) Safe Space

(1) There shall be sufficient indoor and outdoor play space to ensure appropriate activities, safety and comfort for the day care children. The indoor and outdoor play space shall be neither isolated nor remote from the primary care areas. The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies, and other hazards by barriers, in a manner safe for children.

so if her backyard is sufficiently remote from traffic, bodies of water, gullies, or other hazards -- she may not be required to have a fence.

Here is the page if you want to read it over.
http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/CT/ct_family.htm#pgfId-510905

 

[stinkerbelle]

wow - thanks Toby's Friend! I appreciate the link!

yeah...i had a feeling that 'home day care' might be different then an extablished business like Kinder Care or something like that.


You know, I actually gotta give this woman credit though...if she is licensed...dear lord there are a ton of rules! (which I expect there to be with children involved)...but dang!