Quote Originally Posted by apples and bananas View Post
I agree with you sunnydays. Another article came out today using quotes from some of the clients. They both said the children were well taken care of. They were clean, fed and happy. None of them are coming out saying " I had no idea there were that many children there "

Unfortunately, as good as charging the parents and the caregiver sounds. It wouldn't work in my opinion. A parent would never rat on a daycare that is over limit because they'd be fined as well. And, in this case at least, no one would get fined until someone got hurt and authorities found out.

I really wish the media would get off of the "unlicensed daycare' wagon and focus on the reason for the childs death and how it could be prevented.
Exactly. My background is in Child Welfare as a front line social worker. I saw licensed and approved foster homes who abused children. I don't think licensing is a catch all to prevent any kind of abuse, neglect, etc; sure un-announced home visits can catch caregivers who may be breaking the rules, but not always. There were soooo many times I did unannounced home visits only to have no one answer the door (I was almost always positive they were home), as they knew it was someone checking up on them. Then I was just out of luck, and had to try another day. And fines? Can't see that be useful, does it stop speeders? I have parents in my dayhome now who brought their kids to me and told me they were using other private dayhomes previously who had 10+kids. They knew it was too many, but needed the care and so sent their kids there anyway. I still have to register and be licensed by the Alberta College of Social Worker to work at my other contract job, it is just a PIA more than anything - costs me $350 a year and I have to do so many credit hours of learning each year and submit a portfolio. Does that make me better at my job? Do they provide me with any kind of extra support/benefit? Not in my opinion.

The onus is on parents to make the right choices for their families, and on the caregivers to provide quality care. Licensing won't change either.