Play Dates vs Childcare in Indiana

It is not a "play date" if you are being paid.

You would need to find out if your landlord would be ok with this set up as well as the HOA if you have one.

You would also need to check with your insurance agent as well because if you are a renter, your insurance is probably different than the insurance which is carried by the landlord on the house. Your landlord might have to have another type of insurance for liability purposes.

Lastly, I don't know guidelines in your area but you may need to be registered with your state in order to be doing this legally. You may need a specific LICENSE before becoming a day care provider.

I would suggest if you plan to do this that you take the proper steps in order to do it legally or it could end up costing you royally in the long run if you side step any "rules".

If someone is in trouble, even accidently and claims " I didn't know that" they are still responsible because they should have researched and known the facts. That excuse does not work in a court of law, IRS, etc.

Best wishes to you and I hope you get things set up the way you need it to be.

To me, a play date is an occasional, casual get-together with 2 kids (or a few kids from 2 families), with one parent providing the supervision in her home. The parent of the visiting child/ren either stays to socialize, or uses that time to go to errands, clean the house, do the income taxes, get a haircut, or whatever else is pressing and can't be done easily or at all with kids underfoot. This is a personal arrangement between friends, and no cash changes hands.

If you have multiple children in your house on a regular basis, and if you are being paid, that's babysitting/child care. You declare the income, and the person paying you can deduct is as a childcare expense (assuming it's done so the parent can work at another job). That's a business transaction. And yes, you probably should call your insurance agent to inquire about liability. If you rent the home but are using it for a commercial venture, you would have to get permission from your landlord. That should be in writing.

You don't receive money from hosting a playdate for your kids and you don't have 2-6 kids at your house for a playdate every single day. What you are running would be an illegal daycare program which would open you and your landlord to a ton of issues the minute someone gets injured or a parent decides to complain to the state.

editing to add: you can't change your insurance coverage to cover this situation because they would want paperwork showing a legal daycare. In addition you would have a tough time getting people to sign up with children because they would get to claim it on their taxes as an expense unless you gave them paperwork showing you received the money which would include your tax id number (which is your social security number unless you sign up to receive a separate tax id number from the government). Of course once you do this you also must pay taxes on all the money.

Are you trying to start a business, or is this a temporary situation?

What you are talking about is childcare. Anytime there is an exchange of money, with children in your care on a daily basis is almost always considered childcare. Childcare sets the hours of operation, has contracts, a whole bunch of stuff. It also happens daily.

I have no idea about insurance, you'll need to call the insurance carrier about that.

A playdate is generally two or three children playing together at home, at a park,or some other mutually agreed upon place by the parents. At least one parent is preset, maybe more, depending on the ages of the child. The duration of the playdate is set by the parents. Playdtes are casual, and aren't a daily occurrence. No money is exchanged.

I think what you are doing could be considered babysitting, but you need to check with the laws of the sate you live in. It could be considered childcare or babysitting, depending on the length of time involved.

Really? no one caught this is the troll?

Please do not seek/accept legal advice from mamapedia.

playdates usually have the parents stay and watch their own child and do not involve money. you are providing childcare for these children.
it is fine to not change you insurance, BUT i do recommend that you lookover your policy to make sure that anything that happens will be covered.
i also recommend you research the requirements of having a licenced daycare in your home and attempt to follow their rules. a license is not totally necessary but will only be an asset for you if your following all the rules and something negative were to occur.
(i have been considering becomming an in home daycare but will only do it if i can afford to make all changes necessary to be licenced... just in case.)

You are being paid. That is childcare.
I know nothing about insurance, I can't answer that part.