Anyone Licensed In Texas?

[littlemommy]

I have a few questions if ya wouldn't mind.

[small_steps]

I'm licensed in Texas what's your questions?

[littlemommy]

I'm trying to find the contact person to ask a few questions about getting licensed. My family may be relocating for my husband's job. We are from Nebraska and may be moving to the Denison-Sherman area in Grayson County. I can't seem to find someone in that area to talk to.

The questions I wanted to ask were:

1. Do I have to be a resident for a certain amount of time before getting license? Would I be able to start the application process before we move? How long does it take to get through the licensing process?

2. What are the rules on renting or owning a home and operating a daycare? Would we need to buy a home in order for me to start my business?

3. Are there any grants/loans for starting a business in Texas?

4. Are there rules on the age of your own baby? I am due mid January with our 2nd child, and we would be moving shortly after.

5. Do provider's children count against numbers?

[small_steps]

1. I don't believe there is a residency requirement. It does take a few months to get licensed. what I did first was get listed. Being listed you can keep 3 children plus your own until you get your license. It only takes about a month to get listed because all they do is a background check. You could probably get started with the process once you know your new address.
2. I think that all depends on your landlord if you rent. I rent from my parents and they don't mind that I have one. Most landlords in my area don't like their tenants to have a daycare because of wear and tear on the home and it's a liability.
3. I haven't come across any start up grants for the daycare. I'm assuming there's probably some out there but I haven't found them. This year our CCS program (state subsidy program) gave licensed homes a $2200 grant. The year before it was $4000. I had just opened and missed that one. Hoping they do that again this next year.
4 & 5. Your own children do count in your ratios. As a licensed home I can have up to 12 depending on the ages of the kids. Right now I have 2 infants and can have a total of 10 kids altogether. I can't take anymore infants. I believe your own children count in ratio until they are 14.
Check out the DEpartment of family and protective services website for Texas and look in minimum standards (daycare regs) that will explain a lot. Hope that helped some.

[littlemommy]

Thanks!

Do you know anything about the Sherman-Denison area? I did a google search and only saw 4 licensed in home daycares in Sherman. Thought that was kinda weird.

[small_steps]

No. I'm in the Dallas/ft worth area. See if you can find out if they have a child care association for that area. They can probably give you more info if so. We only have about 4-5 licensed in my area too but a lot are registered (can keep up to 6) and some do it without getting either licensed or registered which is illegal in Texas.