For "Rural" Parents?

Question

My friend and I are considering starting a homebased family daycare center. While both of our families live comfortably, the majority of our very small, very rural town is low income. Many teenaged mothers and working class "paycheck-to-paycheck" families. We see a great need for the parents in our community to have affordable daycare that they can actually trust (i would never feel comfortable leaving my baby at the majority of facilities in our area). My question is two fold: 1st, for parents in a rural area, what is the average childcare cost that you pay? 2nd, aside from price, what is the biggest factor that would determine your choice of one daycare over another?

Answer 1

We live rural and I pay like $30 a day! Rip off! BUT thays because its a goverment daycare and the town nearby has a bylaw that no home daycares are allowed. Stupidity, if you ask me.

I think in a low income rural area, $15 a day per child would be wonderful. Affordable and in reach so those who previously couldn't work due to child care prices being too high can go get a job and get back on their feet.
My biggest things I want in a daycare are--

1)Cleanliness. Are surfaces and toys clean and disinfected?

2)Staff- are they good with my kiddo, does he like them, do they have their criminal checks available for me to see?

3) Food- is quality, healthy food served during lunch and snacktime?

4) Activities with the kids- do they go outside to play? How much TV time if any? Safe games to play?

A lot to think about, but I want my child not just to be watched and kept from killing himself, but to be enriched by being at daycare

good luck!

Answer 2

First, as a parent, cost is one factor, but not the determining one in finding trustworthy childcare. I look for a center/home care that is licensed by the state, and qualified staff. I want someone who has taken the time and effort to make their center/home care a place that is appropriate for children to attend, safe, loving and meeting or exceeding all state standards. Staff should have at least taken the minimum 12 units of college that is required (at least where I live, that is the requirement) and I want to see the license. My biggest concern aside from education of the staff, is the way they interact with children. I will come observe the workers for a day... watch how they interact and get along with the children in their care. Staff should be knowledgeable, trustworthy, honest, patient, loving caregivers, who care about the children they serve. They should be willing to take on children with behaviors, and work with the parents on raising a citizen. Look at the centers around you... why is it that you would not consider putting your child there? What is it about those centers that makes you apprehensive? Write these down, and then figure out ways to eliminate the problems you saw. What would you change in the way the class is set up, or the staff, or the structure, or the administration? If I am uncomfortable in a place, I try to determine why... what can be fixed? Also, I ask about their open-door policy- can I drop in whenever I want? If a center/home gives me an excuse why I can't just drop in to see my child (like: "It disrupts the classroom when parents drop in")- I'm outta there! I should not need an "appointment" to see my own child! There are lots of things to consider when starting your own childcare, and you may want to read up on it. I have a wonderful book called Developing and Administrating a Child Care Center by Sciarra and Dorsey (you can find it on amazon.com). It talks all about the info you will need to start a daycare and walks you through all the stuff you will need. Good luck!

Answer 3

Where I live, which isn't very rural but isn't urban either, it runs usually about $200 a week. And personally I go by instinct when it comes to who would have watched my son (who is now just old enough to not need child care).

I think it's absolutely GREAT of you to do this in your town, I have to say. Don't forget to get registered, licensed and let Social Services know that you are doing this so that these low income families that are living paycheck to paycheck can have their childcare subsidized.

Answer 4

Over here in Texas in a small farm community childcare will run 75 a week and 90 in the city. Aside from the price I get WORD OF MOUTH, Actual experience with the center and I listen to my child. I pulled my child after paying registration because she would cry and say she didn't like it. She went there long enough to get familiar it but she just didn't like it. My child is not a difficult to please child but something about it she just didn't like. I trust her instincts. Good luck and I hope you business blossoms.

Answer 5

1. ours charges 12 dollars for out of diapers per day, and 15 dollars if they are in diapers.. Also the y dicount for more than one child.. and these are full day prices.. it is like 8 and 10 for half day.

2. Cleanliness, trust, and how comfortable the child is. Also most parents like to be able to drop in and see their kids, and check everything out unexpected, and some places don't allow that. That is part of the trust thing.

Answer 6

properly, for starters, I regarded at your blog and also you definetly do no longer qualify as lazy mothers and fathers. I applaud the love you ought on your children. All youngsters should be that fortunate. regrettably, they are no longer. I educate 4th, fifth, and sixth grade boys and women in Sunday college, I artwork with the community Jr. bypass over software, I coach little league baseball, softball, and basketball, and that i have an 11 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous son and 14 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous daughter, so I see, first hand, the outcome of lazy mothers and fathers. Lazy mothers and fathers convey their youngsters to church then go away and are available decrease back and get them later - some do not even come decrease back and we ought to take them abode. that's an same with ball practice and ball video games. Lazy mothers and fathers do not help their youngsters with their homework, or educate them a thanks to experience a bike, or mow the backyard, or artwork contained in the backyard, or clean up their room, or practice dinner, or wash the dishes, and so on. briefly, lazy mothers and fathers matter upon different mothers and fathers to improve their youngsters for them.

Answer 7

I apologize for not being able to answer either of your 2 questions, but since you will be catering to low income families, get certified by the state you live in to receive state payments for services (in Idaho, my state, its ICCP {Idaho Childcare Program}).

Answer 8

Never really visited day care but in one place they charged like $20 a day im not sure if thats too much for your place.

2nd would be trust. Biggest out of all, since you would never leave your baby in someones care if you didnt trust them in taking care of the baby.