LOOKING FOR CHILD CARE?
For the most complete information, call Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-890-5399, or 320-629-5164. Or, for the MN Dept. of Human Services list of licensed family homes in Crow Wing County.

UNLICENSED CHILD CARE
The Child Care Rule regulating day care states a person may provide unlicensed child care if:

• Child care is provided for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any twelve month period or
• Childcare is provided for children from one unrelated family and/or
• Childcare is provided to only related children for any length of time. Relatives refer only to nieces,  nephews, step-child, own children and grandchildren.

APPLYING FOR A CHILD CARE LICENSE
The application process takes approximately three months to complete from when you first inquire about a day care license. The process begins by contacting the County Licensor at (218)824-1140. You will then receive a packet of information along with the date of the orientation meeting you have been scheduled to attend.

At the orientation you are informed about the licensing process and the requirements of day care.

You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a day care license. Reference letters, health report, and background studies are done on the applicant. Background studies are also conducted on any family member 13 years or older residing in the day care home.

Crow Wing County charges a fee of $50 to conduct home inspections and $20 per background study (not to exceed $100/year) for licensed family child care programs.

The day care residence is inspected for safety and must meet certain requirements.

FOR PARENTS CHOOSING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER 
Carefully interview with a provider. Ask the provider for references. Contact the County Licensor to find out if any complaints have been filed.

The provider you choose should fit your child's needs and your beliefs. It is important to discuss all of their policies so you fully understand them, although it may not be possible to agree with all of the provider's policies.

COMPLAINTS 
If something concerns you regarding your provider you have a right to lodge a complaint with Social Services. Crow Wing County looks at complaints from both the parent's point of view and the provider's. Before doing so you need to be able to recognize the difference between a serious complaint (violation of the rules and regulations) and a personal complaint (difference in beliefs, styles of communication and business related problems).

Your child care provider plays a valuable role in your child's life. It is very important for parents to have good, open communication with their child care provider. Talk to your provider about your child rearing beliefs on a regular basis. Make a point in seeing how your child's day has gone. Check any posted information your provider may put up. Read the information your provider shares with you and respond to it.

Any personal complaint should be addressed with the provider directly.  Examples of personal complaints are:

• Parents being charged a late fee that they feel is not valid
• Parents being called to come get their sick child
• The provider charging for vacation or sick days

When discussing the personal complaints, ask the provider if you can talk to them at a time when they are not busy with the children. Once you are able to talk, inform your provider of your concern and have and offer an alternative solution. Listen to your provider. See whether they would be able to make the change that you want to take place. Remember that a provider may not be able to make the change one parent wants as they have to think of all the children in their care. The provider may also have definite policies that they feel they need to adhere to for their own reasons. If the provider can not make the change you have proposed, see if they have another alternative that will work for you both. Most concerns can be handled through these negotiations. Remember to address all issues as they arise so no built-up feelings of frustration and anger are there.
If adjustments cannot be made, you will need to decide whether you can live with the situation or if you need to look for alternate care. If you are going to look elsewhere, be upfront with your provider. Let them know that you feel strongly about this situation. Let them know that you will be giving them the agreed upon notice. A smooth transition for you and your child, along with the provider is important.

RULE VIOLATIONS 
Examples of Rule Violations are: 

• Provider caring for more children than they are licensed for.
• Provider using inappropriate discipline with the children. 
• Provider is not supervising the children adequately.

If you have a concern regarding something that is occurring in day care contact the County Licensor. The worker will be able to inform you if this is a licensing matter. The worker will want to know the specifics and will ask you what you have seen or what your child has related to you. All complaints are confidential in that only the nature of the complaint can be discussed with the provider. No one is told the name of the complainant or any identifying information.

Once the complaint has been received the County will investigate. The issues involved are discussed with the provider and a determination is made. There are three options for the determination. These are:
  #1 Licensing violation occurred;
  #2 Licensing violation did not occur; 
  #3 No determination can be made.

If a violation has occurred the provider will either be issued a correction order, where the provider must make changes to comply with the day care rule. A conditional license may be issued (probation) or the license could be revoked.

The second determination, licensing violation did not occur, would result if the investigation showed that there was no licensing violation.

The third determination, no determination can be made would be a result of not being able to verify if the incident occurred or not.

Complaints are public information.

LICENSING RULE
All in home family child care licensed providers must comply with Minnesota Rule 2, Chapter 9502. A copy of the rule may be purchased from the Print Communication Division, Department of Administration, State of Minnesota, 117 University Avenue, St Paul, MN. 55155 or may be viewed online. Once there scroll down to Chapter 9500-9585 Department of Human Services then go to 9502 Licensing of Day Care Facilities for the rule.