Anyone here an at-home child care provider??

[phlufster]

I am getting married next month and we are planning on having kids ASAP and I would like to stay home and do at home child care. I was a nanny for about 4 years and have worked for Kindercare as well as doing lots of babysitting for friends and co-workers. I was just wondering if there were any other stay-at-home moms out there that are currently doing this and if they have any advice for someone trying to get started. Any input would be great! Thanks!
Jocelyn

 

[pumba]

my sister and her daughter are doing this. Call the Dept of Human services and see if they have the brochures to tell you what you need and if you need to go to a class for anything......They love it and love kids........best thing to do is ask around

 

[MandM-Mom]

I did state Registered DayCare for 5 years, my advice is have a good thorough contract and stick to it, NO EXCEPTIONS!! Include everything from health policies, payment policies and late fees, and it will really help you keep an orderly business and good program,definitly get certified through the state, there are lots of programs to help you get your business going. I loved doing home daycare but I had a child that I took care of that was being abused at home, I called it in on several occassions and nothing was done, it started to affect my day to day activities because I was worried sick everyday when he left, the day I got the call that he was airlifted to the hospital I said enough is enough I can't do this anymore, I was scared I would have to go through this again with another child I cared for, I still have a very hard time with dealing with what happened to him, so I decided to take a break for a while its been 1 1/2 and I miss my program terrible, alot of my families keep asking when I am going to open again, I hope to some day again, I just don't think I am ready yet! Good luck on your business you will love it, if you love to be with children and enjoy there company its the best job besides being a MOM!

 

[barkley]

check for the state regs. for your state on the internet. also check your local regs. and zone restrictions (may exclude you from operating some types). even with the experience you've had it could be beneficial to see what ece classes are offered in your area (administration principles and sensitive issues are great classes). a simple buisness law class can give you a great overview of contract law as well.

see if there are any daycare provider associations in your area-they can be so helpful in advising you about potential pitfalls before you encounter them

if you decide to go ahead and do this make certain that you have appropriate homeowner's/bsns. insurance, you are educated in how state funded childcare assistance works/providers rights, health and safety codes...

i know several of the providers that live around me do stricktly kindergarten, before school and after school care. they provide full time care during school holidays and vacations. they make good money (not great) but they enjoy the age group.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Find out if you need to be licensed in your state. The laws differ--in Maryland a person has to be licensed to care for even one child in the providers home. I've done daycare of one kind of another for almost 15 years. Currently I only do before/after school care and this will probably be my last year. It's been good overall, though.

Like mentioned, have a detailed contract that spells everything out--your hours, late fees, when payment is required, sick policies (if daycare child is sick and if you or your child is sick), etc, etc. If you are going to bring the children off your property include permission for that.

 

[phlufster]

THanks for all the advice!
I have checked alot of websites about Wisconsin laws and you can care for 3 children without a license and 8 with one. I was planning on writing up a contract, but hadn't thought of some of things you guys mentioned! It is hard to ask anyone in my area for advice because I am sure they don't want to help out the competition!

 

[cardaway]

My wife has done in-home daycare since 1998.

Since other people covered the laws and contract angle I suggest that you see if there is a local child care resource and referral in your area. They are a great place to find things to help you run the business and obviously a great place to register so they can refer others to you.

 

[Rachie0507]

I do daycare and I love it! In MA, you have to have a license to watch any children not related to you so I am licensed but I don't run a full-time center. My own kids are 3 and 5 and this allows me to be home with them and still make money. Right now, I have one full time child and 3 part time children. And everyone is on a teacher's schedule so I am all done everyday by 3:30 and only do limited care during school vacations. The full-timer is just like one of us! I think it is a great thing to think about and if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Keli]

My sister has done this for about ten years now. She loves those kids like they were her own (she brings pics of them to thanksgiving and christmas and tells stories of stuff they said or did just like she does with her own two boys). She follows a fairly tight schedule which I think helps a lot of the children. She tends to keep the same kids from nearly birth until they start preschool or kindergarten and she also gets new siblings that are born to the families so she rarely has an opening.