There is no federal law that categorically states the number of kids a babysitter can babysit without a license in the United States.
However, there are some states like Tennessee have laws that clearly state the number of kids a babysitter can babysit within their state without having the required babysitting license.
Babysitting is a booming business in the United States and the reason for this cannot be far-fetched. The fact that young parents would want to pursue their careers or business means that their babies must be under the care of a babysitter when they are away from home.
Basically, a babysitter is a person who helps people look after their children while they are away. Babysitting can take place in the home of the parents of the kids or in a daycare facility.
The bottom line is that people that are engaged in babysitting are usually paid handsomely because of the roles they play in the life of a growing family.
Interestingly, in the United States, there are strict laws that govern players in the babysitting profession or the daycare center industry.
It means that if you are looking to start a business as a babysitter or to open a daycare center or creche, then you must abreast yourself with the existing law as it relates to babysitting or the daycare center industry in the United States of America.
One of the laws you should familiarize yourself with is to know the number of kids you can babysit without the required babysitting license.
How Many Kids Can You Babysit Without a License in the United States?
It is important to note that there are rules and regulations that govern how the babysitting industry works in the United States and one of such rules is the number of kids an individual can babysit without the required license in the United States.
1. Texas
In Texas, there are several factors that can determine what type of permit you will need to babysit. Examples of such factors include: the frequency of your babysitting task or in-home care duty, the duration of your care contract, your relationship with the children under care, and the compensation received for your services, if any.
Based on the above information, you will discover that even caring for one unrelated child in your home can require a permit from the State of Texas. There are three different types of in-home permits in Texas:
- Listed family home
- Registered family home
- Licensed Family home
You can find more information here on the requirements and steps to become a childcare home provider in Texas. If you have any question, you can simply fill the Childcare Regulation Contact Form and someone will get back to you.
2. Nebraska
In Nebraska, a babysitter can legally babysit up to three kids at a time in their home or outside their homes without a babysitting license from the government.
But if you intend to babysit more than three kids at a time whether in your home or outside your home, you will be required to apply for a professional license from the state department.
3. Ohio
In Ohio, a babysitter can legally babysit up to 6 kids at a time or no more than 3 kids at a time who are under the age of 2 in their home without having the required professional license.
But please note that the law in Ohio states that before a babysitter can receive payment for babysitting for parents eligible for PFCC, the Type B home provider must be licensed by ODJFS.
4. Florida
In Florida, a babysitter can legally babysit up to five preschool children at a time without a professional license, but they must not be more than two kids that are under one year old.
Interestingly, a babysitter can also legally babysit additional school-aged children up to a maximum of ten without a professional license in Florida.
5. Utah
In Utah, a babysitter can legally babysit up to 6 non-related children without having a professional babysitting license. If you intend to babysit more than six kids at a time, then you must apply for a professional babysitting license.
6. New York
In New York, you can babysit less than three kids without a license as long as you are babysitting them in your home. But as a general rule, any child daycare program planning to babysit three or more children for more than three hours a day on a regular basis must obtain a license or registration.
7. Illinois
In Illinois, if you intend to babysit not more than three kids at a time, you will not require a babysitting license from the state.
But you need a license if you plan to babysit four kids and at least one kid is from a different family. So also, in Illinois, when you babysit kids from two or more families, your kids count toward the four. Please note that in Illinois, a person qualifies as a kid when they are 11 years old or younger.
8. Colorado
In Colorado, you may be allowed to babysit less than for kids in your home without a babysitting license. The children are not required to be related to each other or to the caregiver.
9. Minnesota
In the State of Minnesota, a babysitter may babysit kids only if they provide services to relatives and one family. Please note that this includes the caregiver’s own children. If a person is providing childcare for more than one family, they are required to be licensed.
10. Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, a babysitter may be allowed to care for up to three kids from their home without a professional license. But Licensed Family Child Care providers may care for 4 or more children under the age of 7.
No more than 8 children may be in care at one time, including the providers’ children under age 7 and any additional children above age 7.
11. Missouri
In Missouri, a person who babysits for six or fewer children, including a maximum of three children under the age of two, at the same physical address is not required to be licensed and does not have to report he/she is providing childcare. Please note that exemptions are set forth in Missouri Statute, sections 210.201 and 210.211, RSMo.
12. Kansas
In Kansas, you can only babysit one or two kids without a professional license when you are only offering the services for less than 20 hours a day.
This is so because Kansas law requires that homes be licensed or have a temporary permit when a provider has one or two children for more than 20 hours a week, or if they have more than two children. Please note that a babysitting license is not required when a family member provides care for a relative.
In conclusion,
If you plan to start a babysitting business in any of the states stated above, or those not stated, it will be a wise decision to visit the appropriate department in the state to find out what the law says.
If you are able to get all the needed information, it will help you stay on the side of the law. Remember, ignorance of the law is not an excuse in court.