Ailina Laborte put out the request for night-care-only providers two weeks ago in a story about her agency's efforts to help Maui Police Department civilian and uniformed personnel find child care. She said at the time that of the 90 licensed child-care providers on PATCH's referral list, only three or four did night care.
Since then, PATCH has received about 10 calls from people interested in doing night care, Laborte said.
The problem is most of the callers expected to be able to be put on PATCH's referral list despite not being licensed as child care providers. PATCH used to list unlicensed providers but has stopped that practice. The state Department of Human Services, a major funder of PATCH, made the listing of only licensed child care providers a provision in its contract with PATCH.
"The article about MPD/night care has surged an interest for those who want to do night care," wrote Laborte in an e-mail. "However, those interested thought that we give out their names on our referral list even if they aren't licensed.
"To go on PATCH's referral list, a provider would have to be licensed."
Those interested in night care, but unlicensed, could obtain their child care license or remain license-exempt and watch two unrelated children for an extended period, Laborte said. The law does not allow for a license-exempt provider to watch two unrelated children on one day and two different children on another day of the week, she explained.
A person can be fined up to $1,000 for a first violation of the child care rules and up to $3,000 for a second and succeeding violations, according to the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
These licensed-exempt providers may not be able to be listed by PATCH but could purchase classified entries in The Maui News, Maui Bulletin or Web site craigslist.org to get the word out, she suggested.
For those interested in obtaining their license, Laborte said the process takes about three months, and PATCH can help.
To become licensed, child care providers have to take first-aid and cardiovascular-resuscitation classes and provide a safe setting, which would be inspected by a DHS official, said Laborte. PATCH offers classes, which are not required for licensing but offer information on DHS rules and regulations and how to run a child care business. PATCH also does a pre-inspection of the home to iron out issues before the official DHS visit.
All members in the household have to have a physical examination and tuberculosis test, and adults in the household have to submit to a criminal background check. Two letters of reference and employment history also are required.
The home-space requirement is 35 square feet per child, excluding the bathroom, hallways and closet. Thirty percent of the space of a covered lanai can be counted.
The limit is six children with no more than two infants younger than 18 months old.
The regulations for night care are a bit stricter. The sleeping room has to be a minimum of 50 square feet per child, needs to be within hearing distance of the provider and cannot be detached from the main home. A bed or cot is required; no sleeping on the floor.
Those who are renting are allowed to be licensed child care providers but Laborte advises checking with the landlord.
Licensing is good for one year the first year and goes to two-year intervals thereafter.
The advantages of being a licensed child care provider include running a self-employed business and being listed on PATCH's list, which receives about 50 referrals a month, said Laborte. The list is organized by location Central (Wailuku and Kahului), West Maui (from Lahaina to Kahana), South Maui (from Kihei to Wailea), Upcountry (Makawao, Pukalani, Kula) and East Maui (from Paia to Hana).
The average child care rate is $525 a month per child and $600 for infants for day care, said Laborte.
From the parents' perspective, licensing means the child care provider has met state health and safety regulations, as opposed to "sending them to someone down the street," said Laborte. There is information on file about the child care provider's credentials, including education and training.
Still, PATCH tells those who use the referral list that "'licensed' doesn't mean there's quality in the care," said Laborte. For example, she noted that the licensing requirements don't call for child development programs or a curriculum.
In the end, parents have to feel comfortable with the person watching their most precious being.
"The parents attract the same type of parents they are," Laborte said, explaining that "as a clean kind of girl" she would never send her child to an unclean home. Parents who keep a less-clean home might not be bothered.
Sometimes, parents have no choice but to use an unlicensed provider because licensed providers are full, she said. The infant care situation is particularly tight with the two-baby limit.
"They usually are more desperate," Laborte said. "They will take anyone they can get."
Other parents will opt for license-exempt providers because of cost and familiarity with the provider, who may be a friend or relative, she said.
The recent interest in night care seemed to catch Laborte by surprise. She said in the story two weeks ago that most child care providers on the PATCH list were not interested in night care.
"The providers didn't think there is a need . . . (but) until you ask, nobody thinks" there is a need, she said.
None of the licensed providers has decided to do night care but there is "a lot of potential," with some mulling the possibility, said Laborte.
PATCH also has received calls in the past two weeks from single mothers who need night care.
"They are working two, three jobs while making ends meet," Laborte said.