A.L.
By personally experience... she should not take her kids there. Yes the caregiver has to have a license through whatever county she is in. Also they can shut her down at any given day. They come to her door and tell her she must have a license within so many days or she will get a ticket. Then your friend will have to find a good caregiver in a matter of days.
Plus by having a licensed caregiver it's only makes sense. You know they have taken safety classes and they have not a childproof home. Also, they have been a criminal of any sort.
A. Lynn