I have been a licensed child care provider for 20+ yrs. I have owned and operated centers along with in-home childcare settings, which I currently own and operate. I am licensed to care for 15 children in my home while staying within the North Dakota state staff to child ratio guidelines. I have staff who are here with me on the days that I need more than one staff members per ratio. These staff members of course are qualified to be assistant/backups per the North Dakota Rules and Regulations which include, but not limited to, fingerprinting and full background checks and yearly training. Which also qualifies them to be left alone with the children should I take a day off or have appointments out of the home.