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I would never use an unlicensed daycare...unlicensed means unregulated.

I wouldn't be comfortable with it, even with good recommendations. I'd be wondering *why* this woman couldn't take care of her licensing- did she think it unimportant? is there something to hide? Just too risky for me :[ Good luck finding a place for your LO! I'm going through day care waitlists right now and they are a PAIN!

My daycare lady isn't licensed and I love her. She was a friend of mine and is really working out well for us. She now watches another friends kid for 1/2 days. So, licensing wasn't a concern for us personally. She doesn't want to be licensed because she would have to do a lot of things and I love that she doesn't because it really is a home environment.

Now, she has maybe 2 kids at any one time. If she had more kids I think I would worry.

FWIW, my MIL runs a daycare out of her house and she's not licensed. All of her kids come from people she knows or who are referred to her - church, etc. Part of the licensing issue would be all of the requirements that come with it - they have a trampoline, open yard, etc. and it would raise her prices. I think it depends on the person but I wouldn't rule things out just because she's not licensed.

@blackbird: I don't know if you can get a license with a registered sex offender living in the home though, can you? I don't know much about licensing at all, the story is just so disturbing and all over the news where I live

I would never use an unlicensed day care. There is no benefit that would outweigh the risks in my mind.

@blackbird: I know it varies state to state, but the guy in the story that Rachiecakes mentioned was a level 1 sex offender, which are "invisible" in MA, meaning the public can't search for them. I think that the main thing would be doing your due diligence, and if anything feels weird or wrong, trust your gut.

Also, my friend just went through the licensing process, and at least here in Maryland if you take your child to someone more than15 hours a month, and they aren't licensed, they can be charged with a misdemeanor! Who knew... I didn't!

@Rescuemom10: Not necessarily, you just have to have their social security number instead of their business id. BUT, if there are rules and your daycare is not following them (i.e. more families than allowed), that could get them in trouble.