Advice? Daycare in my home?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Advice? Daycare in my home?
5
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 5:31am
18 months ago I gave up a high powered, big $$$ career to stay home with my kids ...now 6, 4 1/2 and 3. I've never been happier! Unfortunately the writing is on the wall that we are not making ends meet financially and I have to do something to earn some income. Rather than go back to the high stress of my old career, I am considering starting an afterschool daycare at my house and targeting the 1/2 day kindergarten crowd (before school care (7:30-8:30) and afterschool care (11-6). I will have to provide transportation because we have no buses and can accomodate up to three more kids in my van.

For those of you who already do this, could you share your thoughts on things I should think about before I launch my new business? I would appreciate any advice from how do you structure your day to what types of issues you worry about with the kids and parents.



Thanks much in advance ...

mom2four



iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 11:03am
I don't have a daycare but I interviewed many for occasional help when I'm busy with school. I would strongly urge you to have a typed contract that the parents sign! It should list the price agreed to, hours, what you do about your sick/vacation days(whether or not they still have to pay you), whether or not they have to pay when they are sick and can't come... and the list goes on and on.

It should be very specific and you should keep them in your files. I would urge the parents to have a photocopy for their records as well.

Just some ideas

TAnya

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 2:42pm

Mom2four~


Home Daycare is a very good way to make extra money if you take precautions.

Dona

Mommy to CJ {03.21.03}& Chantel {08.10.95}  Step~Mom to Carrington {08.12.92}

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Tue, 03-23-2004 - 6:54am
What I would be worried about is the liability. It is one thing to have kids in your home, but to drive them around...make sure your insurance covers this.

It would probably be worth it to get certified by the state and such.

Ejkdmom Come visit my store: www.leorra.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2004
Tue, 03-23-2004 - 1:16pm
A close friend of mine did daycare for about 3 years and the reason she says she got out of it was the parents, not the kids! They would bring sick kids to her house, they were always late picking the kids up, and she always had a hard time getting payment from (some of) the parents. If you do decide to start up a daycare, make sure you have a contract set up that they can sign. Charge them double for the half hour they are late and make sure they have a back-up plan on where to take the kids if they are sick.

Good luck!

~Jolene

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Wed, 03-24-2004 - 8:02pm
i totaly agree with the last poster..... it's the parents that are the problem, not the kids...... that is why i retired from daycare...... set the rules EARLY.and dont let anyone go against them......... you have to have rules about sick kids, or you will have your own sick constantly...... go by the schools guide lines.....and since you are doing after and before care, let them know if they are too sick for school they are too sick for you too..no fevers.....pink eye...exposure to other stuff...... the nice part about what you are doing,,,,with just school care...is you have the summers off..if you plan on doing it that way, and i sure would..... nice to have that time with your kids......but be firm.....strict.and stick to your guns... and it will turn out to be a positive experience......