My mother and I just recently opened a daycare in our home. We will be getting our first child next week. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or ideas for us. Thanks!
2006-06-16 11:44:07 · 4 answers · asked by Jlove24 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My daugher goes to an in home daycare. And I personally love it! She gets the benefit of being around other kids and learns that not everything revolves around her, but she also has more personal attention then a larger center. Our sitter has some "unstructured time" where they kids get to play and have free choice at what they do. She also does a story with the kids. I love that she has breakfast, lunch, nap, and snack at the same time each day. That way I know when and what is going on with my daughter. SHe also has some outside play equiptment for when it is nice as well as chalk and bubbles. She has a lunch menu (just a calendar filled in with the lunch and snack for each day - not choices, just as an FYI for parents). I love that I pay an hourly rate with a weekly minimum (so if she is not there enough hours, we pay the minimum; if she is there for an amount of hours that totals more then the minimum, we pay that amount)
one thing I would suggest for you is to make parents sign some type of paperwork that says you have the right to ask a child to leave for certain behaviors as well as if anything valued at a certain amount (my daugher's sitter does $10.00) is destroyed or broken, the parents are responsible for the amount. Both are in my paperwork and I don't mind at all. She also had us put down a deposit and has a policy that if you are not there by closing time - which is clearly stated in all paperwork - you get charged extra. If you don't pay by Friday, you get charged a late fee.
Those are just some suggestions - I hope something is useful to you!
2006-06-16 12:24:30 · answer #1 · answered by pammy_6201 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
1) Remember this is YOUR business, your home. Do not let parents/guardians tell you how to run your business. Set your rules and limits and stick to them. Get a contract for each child.
2) Seek out other in-home providers in your area to network with for field-trips, conversation, and contract ideas.
3) Take time for yourself during nap-time. You will need it.
4) one word...insurance
5) keep very good paperwork: all receipts, track all hours you work ...during day care hours and off-hours (like shopping, cleaning, etc)
6) get a very good tax person who knows in-home day care taxes. Ask them 2 questions: a) Does he know Tom Copeland?
b) Can you deduct your mileage for going to the grocery store to buy DC food if you also buy family food? If they answer "no" to either question, find someone else.
7) Have fun with it. Kids are kids and can be soooooooo much fun!
2006-06-16 19:36:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
label the areas with words and pictures
bright colors
cubbies
sectioned off areas: dress-up, blocks, art, science, home, soft and quiet spot, etc.
lesson plan
a parents what happened to day pre-made list:
name
played in following areas
slept
when wet
special notes
accomplishments
ate
and have fun but keep it simple!
2006-06-16 20:56:56 · answer #3 · answered by vkewl182 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always keep the kids entertained...make sure you plan games and have different things out they can do with PLEANTY of backup plans...kids LOVE to change their mind and believe me they will, so you NEED to make sure you always have something to keep them busy!
2006-06-16 11:49:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋