Childcare appears to be an easy solution for generating income. Naively many believe that a love for children, some space, and a few kids is all that is needed to begin this enterprise. It is not that simple.

Linda had worked in larger licensed day care centers so had the advantage of experience. She was responsible for six infants. With short notice, that facility closed. Several of the parents asked if she would continue caring for their children.

The decision was made to convert one room into a nursery and hang out a shingle. Seems simple, right? Well……not really.

Here’s what we knew:

1. Home daycare providers are allowed to care for 6 children.
2. County (or town) license would be necessary to operate a business
3. Three families wanted to use her services

She got the business license, prepared the room, bought baby furniture and equipment; she was up and running. No problems, until…………

It was not long until the question had to be settled. Did our granddaughter count as one of six or could Linda care for six in addition to a family member? The local DSS office could not answer the question; but suggested that she call the state offices in Columbia, SC. She did.

Her question: How many children am I allowed to care for in a home day care?

Their question: Are you registered?

Linda had understood that a business license was necessary so her answer was “Yes, I have my business license.” She then learned that the law in South Carolina is:

May provide care for up to six (6) children at any given time within a residence occupied by the operator. Registration is required if a person provides care to more than one unrelated family of children on a regular basis (more than two days a week and more than four hours a day). http://childcare.sc.gov/main/general/programs/licensing/facilitiesreqs.aspx#fcch

That very day a representative from DSS was sitting in our living room interviewing us and offering to get everything in order.

Legally, the children should have been taken out of our house until registration was finalized, but the representative helped us overcome that while we got fingerprinted, and took care of the other requirements. Our experience has been very positive with DSS from their first involvement.

Registration definitely has its advantages, aside from minimal government supervision, DSS helps provide programs that benefit the children as well as the provider.

Going into business involved a little more than we expected, but it has not been difficult to operate legally. The only time we actually would see DSS if we request their help or if something should go wrong and they receive a complaint bout us. http://childcare.sc.gov/main/general/programs/licensing/facilitiesreqs.aspx#inspect

How has it gone? It is difficult to stick to the infant to 4 year age range. You get so darned attached to these little charges. They start to pre-school and you hope they can stay just half day with you, but alas, they must move on! Good to know others are waiting for a vacancy.