CBS Atlanta 46Investigation: No state oversight of after-school programs

A CBS Atlanta investigation found children across Georgia are being cared for at facilities that aren't required by the state to follow any regulations.

"For children that attend those places, there's potentially a danger zone there," said Mindy Goldenberg, owner of a licensed child care center in Alpharetta.

According to state law, licensed childcare centers must follow strict regulations in an 80-page manual.

But the state allows other facilities that provide limited services, like after-school programs, to operate unregulated. The state calls those programs "exempt programs," which means they're exempt from state regulation. Some exempt facilities are karate dojos, dance schools and gymnastics centers that offer after-school services.

The lack of oversight concerns Carolyn Salvador, the executive director of the Georgia Child Care Association, which represents licensed childcare facilities. "Exempt or unlicensed programs don't have to meet any safety requirements. You have people working there that don't have background checks, there's no safety requirements," said Salvador. 

A CBS Atlanta hidden camera captured a van transporting children from elementary schools to a dojo in Alpharetta. The van had an expired registration sticker. Goldenberg took photographs of the same van with a missing side mirror and busted out lock.

"God forbid that driver became incapacitated. There's  no way to get the children out of the van," said Goldenberg. 

Bobby Cagle, commissioner of the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), said he cannot guarantee children in exempt facilities are safe but stressed that his department is doing the best it can with limited resources.

Cagle said DECAL does not have the money or authority to regulate exempt facilities.

He also acknowledged the state has no idea how many exempt facilities are in the state because of poor record keeping years ago.

"Government cannot be all things to all people, and parents have an ultimate responsibility to ensure their children are in facilities that attend to their basic health and safety," said Cagle.

Cagle said new rules have been implemented to help parents determine which programs are licensed and exempt.  

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