Licensing for an after school program in rented space? MN edition
April 25, 2018 2:44 PM Subscribe
Me: Person renting a classroom space for school agers 3 hrs/ day for 4/days a week. Think: an aftercare program (theres a school across the street, I'd potentially walk the group across to my class space)
Does licensing need to get involved or would it be considered more like a "class/ camp"?
Thanks in advance.
Talk to your insurance agent about what is required.
posted by bilabial at 3:02 PM on April 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bilabial at 3:02 PM on April 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: It wouldn't technically be a daycare- and not full time hours it would be 9 hours a week of care- I found this legislature but I'm not completely sure what II refers to but I will check it out.
A program serving only children who are age 33 months or older, that is operated by a nonpublic school, for no more than four hours per day per child, with no more than 20 children at any one time, and that is accredited by:
I. an accrediting agency that is formally recognized by the commissioner of education as a nonpublic school accrediting organization; or
II. an accrediting agency that requires background studies and that receives and investigates complaints about the services provided.
Pay license exempt centers at the same rate as licensed centers in the same age category.
If I'm renting space, do I personally (for my independent business) need an insurance agent or would the person who owns the space do that?
posted by Kestrelxo at 3:26 PM on April 25, 2018
A program serving only children who are age 33 months or older, that is operated by a nonpublic school, for no more than four hours per day per child, with no more than 20 children at any one time, and that is accredited by:
I. an accrediting agency that is formally recognized by the commissioner of education as a nonpublic school accrediting organization; or
II. an accrediting agency that requires background studies and that receives and investigates complaints about the services provided.
Pay license exempt centers at the same rate as licensed centers in the same age category.
If I'm renting space, do I personally (for my independent business) need an insurance agent or would the person who owns the space do that?
posted by Kestrelxo at 3:26 PM on April 25, 2018
Based on this question and your followup, it sounds like you're profoundly unprepared to take this on as it stands now.
Yes, you would absolutely need insurance for your business. You need to be insured (among other things) against the possibility of being sued by a parent because of an accident that happens to their child in your care. What if child is hit by a car as you walk them across the street? That is in no way the responsibility of a landlord just because you're renting space from them.
The piece of legislation you quote describes it as applying to a program "that is operated by a nonpublic school" which doesn't sound like what you're proposing. If a private school wanted to offer after-school care, they would not need a daycare license in addition to their accreditation as a school. Since you are not an accredited school, you would still need a daycare license.
You need to talk to a lawyer about the kinds of insurance and licensing you need to operate this business. You're taking on a big project that involves a lot of liability and it doesn't sound like you've got enough background on these issues to know the right questions to ask to make sure you're covering all your bases.
posted by duien at 4:00 PM on April 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Yes, you would absolutely need insurance for your business. You need to be insured (among other things) against the possibility of being sued by a parent because of an accident that happens to their child in your care. What if child is hit by a car as you walk them across the street? That is in no way the responsibility of a landlord just because you're renting space from them.
The piece of legislation you quote describes it as applying to a program "that is operated by a nonpublic school" which doesn't sound like what you're proposing. If a private school wanted to offer after-school care, they would not need a daycare license in addition to their accreditation as a school. Since you are not an accredited school, you would still need a daycare license.
You need to talk to a lawyer about the kinds of insurance and licensing you need to operate this business. You're taking on a big project that involves a lot of liability and it doesn't sound like you've got enough background on these issues to know the right questions to ask to make sure you're covering all your bases.
posted by duien at 4:00 PM on April 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: You're probably right!
I was offered the space to teach a 3 hour class and the owner made it sound very accessible, like- just offer the option and advertise- but yeah in reality I don't know what steps to take. edit: I'd be looking at starting in the fall and I'm in the very beginning stages of looking in to this possibility.
I figured that asking if it needed to be a fully licensed childcare -since it's part time in a private space- was a good first step.
I asked the owner of the space some questions surrounding this (it was their idea) and it sounds like she doesn't know either which is not such a great sign.
posted by Kestrelxo at 4:09 PM on April 25, 2018
I was offered the space to teach a 3 hour class and the owner made it sound very accessible, like- just offer the option and advertise- but yeah in reality I don't know what steps to take. edit: I'd be looking at starting in the fall and I'm in the very beginning stages of looking in to this possibility.
I figured that asking if it needed to be a fully licensed childcare -since it's part time in a private space- was a good first step.
I asked the owner of the space some questions surrounding this (it was their idea) and it sounds like she doesn't know either which is not such a great sign.
posted by Kestrelxo at 4:09 PM on April 25, 2018
Depends on the state. After school "camp" doesn't need a license here as long as you don't have things like horseback riding, etc.
posted by beccaj at 4:51 PM on April 25, 2018
posted by beccaj at 4:51 PM on April 25, 2018
Maybe do it through an established school, nonprofit, or parks department/community ed program. That way the liability is their problem.
posted by miyabo at 9:47 PM on April 25, 2018
posted by miyabo at 9:47 PM on April 25, 2018
Best answer: Is the school a public school? You might check into offering a class via the school district’s Community Education program. They are used to handling the logistics for something like this and would probably get you access to space within the school. My husband has organized and taught tons of after school enrichment-type classes in MN this way. My understanding is that independent instructors don’t need to arrange their own insurance; it’s all covered through Community Ed. They’ll also handle registration and billing, and it gives you some credibility with the parents that you might not have if you’re operating independently.
posted by beandip at 10:55 AM on April 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by beandip at 10:55 AM on April 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by metahawk at 2:58 PM on April 25, 2018