A child who is cared for in an unlicensed child-care facility could be at risk for injuries or even death.Debra Lawrence, the executive director of Child Care Connections, said unlicensed child-care facilities are “breaking the law and subject to fines. Children in unlicensed homes often die.”Child Care Connections is a nonprofit childcare referral network – a part of Qualistar Partners. Child Care Connections covers El Paso, Elbert, Cheyenne, Teller and Kiowa counties, and the Colorado Springs office is one of 17 in Colorado. Lawrence said all counties in Colorado have access to an organization like Child Care Connections.Lawrence said, “Families need to be careful.” There are no standards when someone is not licensed, which presents a huge risk. “Children recently in the news have died in unlicensed, illegal care,” she said.Lawrence encourages families to call the Child Care Connections 800 number or the local line to find the type of child care that fits their needs. A program is recommended based on the hours and type of child care needed, the location of the facility and the children’s ages.”We are a referral network,” Lawrence said. “We do a child-care search based on individual needs.” Once the criteria are evaluated, parent education material and a list of providers are sent to the family.Programs through Child Care Connections could be state-funded, preschool, Headstart, a child-care center or a licensed family child-care home, she said.Lawrence said eight programs are licensed in Peyton; six in Falcon. In 2004, 223 families called Child Care Connections from the 80831 zip code.A provider who is caring for one family other than his or her own is “legally exempt” from licensure, Lawrence said. If the provider is caring for two or more families in addition to his or her own without a license, the provider is “unlicensed illegal,” she said.To be licensed in Colorado, a background check is required for everyone in the home over 18 years old, Lawrence said. A Federal Bureau of Investigations background check is necessary if the provider has not been a Colorado resident for two years. A Colorado background check is completed for those who have lived in Colorado for two or more years.Licensing also requires a home inspection, first aid and CPR training, an ongoing training course for home providers and a health physical for everyone in the family, Lawrence said. The measures are taken to ensure safety for all children placed in child care, she said.”No. 1, people don’t know they need to be licensed, or No. 2, they think it takes too much time or money,” Lawrence said. The licensing process takes an average of six to eight weeks, but no more than three months, she said, and costs about $350.A child-care facility must post a license in view for families, she said. Lawrence encourages people to turn in providers who are not licensed.”We will help them get their license or they will be fined if they continue to operate,” she said, “We’re here to help you get licensed and we want families to get licensed child care that provides a basic safety net for young children. They are our most vulnerable population.”Report an unlicensed child-care facility by calling 471-1165. The local number for Child Care Connections is 638-2057.Editor’s note: The NFH attempted to call various schools to determine options for before and after school care. However, summer break prevented a comprehensive list of options. We’ll try to get that information in our September edition.Janet Erickson, the Falcon Elementary School attendant secretary, was available for comment.” She Falcon Elementary School offers an Early Bird Club, which opens at 7:10 a.m. until classes begin, and a Boys and Girls Club operates after care at the end of the school day until 6 p.m. Students who attend the school can participate in the programs for a fee.
