DC: In-Home Daycares Not Listed on MyChildCare.DC.gov?

[Anonymous]

Hello. Recently moved to DC and have been touring daycares my spouse found on Google. So far all have been “in-home” in that they are based out of the directors’ residences. However, I’m confused on one thing that I’m hoping someone can clear up. Every single one we’ve toured seems like a reasonably well-put together childcare business and importantly, the kids there seem happy. However, none of the ones we’ve toured have been listed on the Mychildcare.dc.gov website, which I assume means they are not licensed as “child development homes”. Weirder, some have specifically claimed to be licensed by DC or that they are in the final stages of becoming licensed (they are already caring for other peoples’ children). I looked through everything I could find in DC regulations and government websites and can’t figure out any exemption from licensing that these places would be eligible for.

So I’m stumped. Are daycares in peoples’ houses in DC supposed to be licensed? If so, is there any reason these wouldn’t be on DC’s licensing registry website?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I asked about home daycare on next door several years ago and was told they were rare in DC and rarely licensed. I ended up at a small center because the only home options I could find on Google were far from me.

[Anonymous]

Licensing a small home daycare is a major headache for a small provider and also does not guarantee any quality. Look at all the licensed horrible places around dc. It just gives jobs to otherwise useless dcfs.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't figure this out either, OP. I found the DC site somewhat useless because it listed so few places in our neighborhood (all of which were full with long waitlists) and had more luck just talking to neighbors and consulting my list serve where I got names of some very good in-home places.

One weird thing is that I did tour two in-home centers that were listed on the government site but they were NOT nice. They were both very cramped with a ton of red flags that I assume would be instantly visible to anyone coming for a regular visit. Like visibly dirty spaces, broken cribs, the temperature was kept too warm (I'm guessing because it makes the kids easier to deal with). One of these two did have a notice of a prior violation on the website but the other didn't. But both were licenses and in good standing according to the website.

Meanwhile I toured several facilities not on the website that were much nicer -- better caregiver to child ratios, cleaner, better quality materials, better spaces for infants, onsite outdoor space.

I couldn't figure it out. What's the point of licensing if it's not ensuring that we are getting the best quality? It was like the licenses spaces knew how to jump through administrative hoops but didn't actually care about offering quality care, and the unlicensed spaces channeled efforts into actually making a good daycare but then fudged on licensing. It left me feeling pretty lost.

[Anonymous]

licensing just looks at safety things, like covering electrical outlets, having chemicals under locks, having first aid kit and all th emergency numbers posted, etc. They do not care if it is clean or not. Besides, they only visit like once a year and most providers know when, so that can clean up a bit right before the visit. You cannot have your license taken away just because it is not clean.

[Anonymous]

Here is a list of all of licensed home-based providers in DC.
https://mychildcare.dc.gov/Home/SearchFacilities?glance=3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello. Recently moved to DC and have been touring daycares my spouse found on Google. So far all have been “in-home” in that they are based out of the directors’ residences. However, I’m confused on one thing that I’m hoping someone can clear up. Every single one we’ve toured seems like a reasonably well-put together childcare business and importantly, the kids there seem happy. However, none of the ones we’ve toured have been listed on the Mychildcare.dc.gov website, which I assume means they are not licensed as “child development homes”. Weirder, some have specifically claimed to be licensed by DC or that they are in the final stages of becoming licensed (they are already caring for other peoples’ children). I looked through everything I could find in DC regulations and government websites and can’t figure out any exemption from licensing that these places would be eligible for.

So I’m stumped. Are daycares in peoples’ houses in DC supposed to be licensed? If so, is there any reason these wouldn’t be on DC’s licensing registry website?

Thank you.

I am the PP that posted the link to the home-based facilities. Yes, providers operating out of their home are required to obtain a license through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education aka OSSE. Failure to do so is against the child care regulations and you should report them to OSSE. The only reason they would not be on My Child Care DC is if they are not a licensed child care provider. I found this in the FAQ section on their website.

Do all child development facilities in DC need to be licensed?
The District of Columbia has more than 400 licensed child development facilities. These are child development centers or child development homes/expanded child development homes that have met educational, safety, training and other licensing requirements. These facilities have also completed a successful inspection. Licenses must be renewed every three years. My Child Care DC provides a complete up-to-date search of these licensed child development facilities in DC.

It is important to note that other types of early care and education do not have to undergo this licensing process. DC Public Schools, charter schools and private schools that provide pre-K education do not go through this licensing process. If you are interested in learning about pre-K education in a DC Public School or charter school, please visit My School DC.

Facilities that provide only before- or after-care, summertime educational services or classes and activities such as music or dance for children are not licensed in the same way as child development facilities.
Similarly, caregiving in a family’s home, participation in a nanny share and occasional child care, such as babysitting or child care during religious services, do not need to abide by the same licensing regulations. Since these types of child care are not licensed, they do not appear in the search options on My Child Care DC.

[Anonymous]

Don’t put your kid in unlicensed care. FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t put your kid in unlicensed care. FFS.

This. If they're not on there, they're not licensed which means not background checks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Dc in home daycares don’t need a license? Unlike Maryland?

[Anonymous]

Yes they do. They are regulated by OSSE. One call to an inspector can shut down an illegal center immediately. Do not risk putting your child in a potentially unsafe, unregulated, and unlicensed center. There is a database of all licensed centers online and you can call OSSE to check on a centers status.

[Anonymous]

And Op to answer your question, yes, all home day cares in DC have to be licensed. If they are in the process of getting it, they legally cannot be caring for kids. Call OSSEs child care division, they are very helpful and you can even speak to inspectors about specific centers.