To the Editor:

I would like to thank the Office of Children and Family Services for keeping our kids safe and sound in a licensed home daycare. Having said that, I also want to point out that we need them to make sure our providers are keeping their homes up to code, plugs in outlets, fire alarms on and so forth.

Yes, I believe we need an initial inspection to help us get it all right. What I don’t need, however, is a piece of paper saying when my kids need a nap, have permission to travel with them and one saying that I can put sunscreen on them.

It’s not up to you; it’s up to me and the parent. I don’t think my daycare parents want their kids in the bathroom with me while I go -- talk about a lawsuit waiting to happen. I’m able to decide if the child will be fine while I take two seconds to go.

The parent is capable of asking questions and knowing if the provider is running a safe place for their child. If not, guess what, it’s on me and the parent, not you. It’s my business, my name is on the license. I don’t think a surprise inspection while I have a houseful of kids is appropriate in most cases, unless I have a complaint or someone thinks my kids are in danger, I don’t want you here.

I don’t appreciate you trying to trick me into doing something wrong, just to have something to write me up on. Yes it does happen. I am a home daycare, not a center, not a school. If it’s nice outside and I want to spend the whole day out, I will. If I want to clean out all my arts and crafts stuff and let the kids spend the day using their imaginations, I will.

I shouldn’t have to have a paper that writes down what I do at every half hour and have to stick to it. If I have permission from the parents to let my kids swim in the pool safely I should be able to without massive paperwork. I think it’s much safer than taking them to the beach.

With all that being said, their rules and regulations are mostly up to interpretation and each inspector chooses what to write the provider up on and what not to. If you rock the boat, expect to be picked apart.

I’m tired, I’ve done this job for 13 years and the fun is almost out of it. I spend more time doing their paperwork than spending time with my kids and having fun.

The government is too involved and they are going to lose many great providers, and have a problem with illegal “underground” daycares. In short, I’m good at my job. Leave me alone and let me run my business. If this gets printed I expect I’ll get an inspection shortly after.

Nicole Daniels, Canton