Would You Use This Childcare Service?

I would think it is your responsibility to ask the questions not have them be the one telling you everything. Many parents may not care about this, so therefore they may not volunteer information. I wouldn't be so quick to be dissapointed. The state did say that they haven't got their license yet, not that it was denied. I think you may be reading too much into this.

I would see about working something out with your job. If they will go for it, then that would be what's best for your kids, then you won't have to worry.

Keep in mind that if they are under new management, maybe it is also a new owner/corporate name that it is now listed under and getting their license under. I would ask them for a list of references and information about their staff. Keep in mind that these are questions YOU NEED TO ASK and not just expect them to be provided to you. You also need to make sure that they are Insured properly aswell. This is with any child care facility that your choose.

I would think that if they are under new managemet/ownership and they are remodeling/revamping that is probably a good sign. No matter what you need to check out the place when children are there and talk to the director directly (face to face) not just over the phone.

As for them not telling you things, maybe they assumed you knew as it was "common knowledge" so to say or it just didn't "click" that they should tell you. Maybe the employee doesn't know the status of the application, or the director was told that there will be no problem that it is a formality once the final inspection takes place. I think that you are expecting them to have told you everything about their business (license and etc...) but these are things you are responsible for checking out and asking about.

I would ask them for references -- parents who use the daycare -- or better yet ask the school for names of parents who use that daycare for latchkey. The school is more likely to give you random, objective parents than the daycare is. When you talk to the parents, be sure to ask about the transition in management, how they feel about it, and how it has been managed. Or, you could find out who the new management company (or individual) is, and find out where they were before. Then check references for their previous job/other centers.

I can understand the remodeling, management, etc. But if you feel uneasy I would follow your gut. Perhaps revisit the daycare in a month to check on their progress. In the meantime, create a Plan B in case you aren't comfortable with what you see at the daycare in August.

See if you can get references and ask the person who referred you if they could put you in touch with any parents that use(d) this day care so you can ask them about it. You can't be too safe when it comes to your kids, if asking questions makes them mad then my guess is that they have something to hide.

I wouldn't to many ifs and unanswered questions. to me it says red flag

I would seriously reconsider the situation if they are not licensed by the state... It's probably best to go back and ask all of these questions. They may not have been purposefully hiding anything from you. And if they are under new ownership/management, they could have been in a transition phase which is why they didn't offer you a lot of information (because it wasn't yet available). Unless you know the staff personally, I would be weary of sending my kids there if they're unlicensed...

You need to talk to other parents who have used/plan to use this service. Try to locate them. If that doesn't pan out quickly, go with your instincts and locate something else. I had my girls in an in-home licensed day care near the school and they walked back & forth with the mom's kids. Worked well for me for that year. Very small and loving.