Unlicensed Preschools Not Required to Conduct Background Checks in Oregon

Part-time preschool programs in the state of Oregon are not required to obtain a license in order to operate, and therefore, are not subject to the same rules as licensed preschools, such as conducting background checks on their staff . A part-time preschool is defined as one that cares for children four hours or less per day, and carries few requirements compared to licensed preschools and daycare centers. A few of these part-time schools include some Head Start programs, parent-cooperatives, and church-based preschools. Instead of licensing, a part-time preschool is only required to be recorded with the state. Licensed preschools must have staff members trained in child first-aid and CPR, must have food handlers’ training, and be trained in recognizing and reporting child abuse. They may also receive unannounced inspections from the state. With the programs that are simply recorded rather than licensed, there is no one “looking at them except the parents,” according to Kathleen Hynes, legal and compliance manager for the Oregon Employment Department’s Child Care Division.

Instead of having the same requirements as licensed childcare programs, the state’s 330 recorded programs operate on an honor system. Two promises they make upon being recorded is that they will perform background checks on all volunteers and staff , and post a notice announcing they are recorded with the Child Care Division and are legally exempt from being licensed. However, there is no legal requirement to adhere to these promises, and there is no one to check if a program has done them. Also, there is nothing in writing stating how extensive of a background check should be completed.

While Hynes contends that recorded programs can be “great,” and licenses do not guarantee the quality of a program, parents should do their homework. Some of her suggestions for parents considering a recorded versus licensed program include calling the state’s child care division and asking if a program has a license or is exempt and if it is operating legally, asking the school what type of background checks they perform and their criteria for hiring staff. She believes they should also ask about first-aid certifications and food preparation. Even though there is currently not much oversight for the state’s recorded programs, a recommendation made by a consulting group calls for the state to require licensing for recorded programs. However, as this solution would require more funding for enforcement, it is unlikely to pass anytime in the near future. Parents are advised to practice due diligence in the meantime.

When it comes to the safety of children , performing an adequate background check is crucial. Have you thoroughly checked the backgrounds of your employees? By using a reputable company like backgroundchecks.com, you can be assured you are getting the best and most thorough screening techniques available. With access to countless criminal databases nationwide they have many options available, several with instant results. Their US Offender OneSEARCH includes sex offender information from 49 states (plus Washington D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico) with photos. Or try their National Wants and Warrants search. This search will give results within one to two days, and is a nationwide search of local, county, state, and Federal extraditable warrants, and may include misdemeanors or felonies. Most law enforcement agencies contribute to this database.

About backgroundchecks.com -

backgroundchecks.com - a founding member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) - serves thousands of customers nationwide, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies by providing comprehensive screening services. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with an Eastern Operations Center in Chapin, S.C., backgroundchecks.com is home to one of the largest online criminal conviction databases in the industry. For more information about backgroundchecks’ offerings, please visit www.backgroundchecks.com.

Source: http://blog.oregonlive.com/themombeat/2012/07/unlicensed_preschools_in_orego.html


Author:

Get monthly updates on  background check news, industry trends, and changes in laws and regulations.

Michael Klazema

About Michael Klazema The author

Michael Klazema is the lead author and editor for Dallas-based backgroundchecks.com with a focus on human resource and employment screening developments

Michael's recent publications

More Like This Post

State Criminal Search

Virginia Criminal Search

Order a criminal record search for Virginia and get your report in 1-3 days for 10$.

Order a Search for Virginia