• Violation

  MCL 722.115m Child care center, group child care home, or family child care home; requirements for licensure. (2) A person, partnership, firm, corporation, association, nongovernmental organization, or governmental organization shall not establish or maintain a child care center, group child care home, or family child care home unless licensed by the department

  On January 23, 2023, I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the home of Ms. Rebecca Lange. I made Ms. Lange aware of the allegation that she was providing child care for unrelated children without a child care license and gave her a copy of the unlicensed letter, which explained the need for licensure. Ms. Lange stated that she provides care for two of her friend's children while they are at work. She went on to say that this is the second complaint and after the first complaint she applied to become a licensed child care home. Ms. Lange further stated that it was her understanding that she could babysit for her friends as long as she did not accept payment for providing care for the children. Therefore, she made an agreement with her friends to provide care the children for free until she was licensed. Ms. Lange provided signed statements from the children's families that stated that Ms. Lange is unlicensed, and the families had the option to cease bringing their children or continue bringing them and she would provide care for free until she is licensed. At the time of the onsite inspection there were five children present in the home. Ms. Lange stated that two of the children were her children and the other three were unrelated children. During the onsite inspection I informed Ms. Lange that although this was an unlicensed complaint, there were additional allegations I wanted to go over. Ms. Lange agreed to discuss the other allegations. I informed her that the complaint stated that she did not have adequate space to provide care for the children. I viewed the main level of the home. Ms. Lange had adequate space to provide care. Ms. Lange stated that she also has a walk out basement where the children play. The other allegation in the complaint was Ms. Lange does not have a fenced in yard near a water hazard. Ms. Lange lives in a lake front home. She has a large backyard where the children were observed playing on sleds. Past the yard is a large grassy area approximately 80ft wide, a boat landing, then the lake. There is no fence or barrier between Ms. Lange's yard and the grassy area. Ms. Lange stated that the children no not to go past the grassy area, but once she is licensed, she will use a nearby park or the front yard for outdoor play if necessary. Technical assistance was provided with suggestions of ways to create visual barriers, by placing garden fencing in the backyard to stop the children from going past her garden area. During the onsite inspection Ms. Lange signed the unlicensed letter checking the box that stated she has been caring for 1 to 6 unrelated children in her home but does not anticipate earing sufficient income. On January 23, 2023, Ms. Lange emailed copies of her previous unlicensed complaint report and her application to become a licensed child care home. 3

Ms. Rebecca Lange is providing unlicensed childcare in her home.

Disposition: Substantiated