Pros and Cons of providing in-home childcare?

Question

I live in Georgetown, Kentucky and I am thinking about quitting my job to babysit in my home. I hate my desk job and I love working with children. (I worked in a daycare for 2 years and have been babysitting for about 10 years.) I've looked into this previously so I'm not really looking for 'How To.' I know about licensure, child/adult ratio, etc. I'm just wondering - in your experience - what were the pros and cons to doing this type of work? My biggest concern at this point is about getting sick, having a family emergency, wanting to take a vacation, that kind of thing. It won't be as easy to do since the parents would just be stuck if I wasn't available. Any advice or suggestions? Thank you!

Answer 1

I do home childcare. The cons in my experience, are the long days. Also, the "paying" part. The 1st time I opened a childcare business, the "paying" part was harder. Parents didn't pay when they were supposed to. I WAS NOT very assertive, and I let them walk all over me.
What I do now is have them pay BEFORE there child starts. When payment comes due, at the beginning of the next month, if by the 5th payment is not received-- they do not come until payment IS received.
As far as being sick or taking vacation: I let all parents know 30 days in advance of a planned vacation time. This gives them PLENTY of time to find alternative care. I tell all parents that I will take approximately 2 weeks off during the year, which they still pay for. However, they in turn are allowed 2 weeks off a year, in which they do NOT have to pay, provided they provide me with a 30 day notice.
As far as being sick. I notify all parents if either myself or my child is sick... ie. cold. They can choose whether or not to bring their child. However, on the times myself or my child has something worse, ie. flu. I call them by 7 am or the night before. This does put a burden, understandably, on the parent. However, if I am too sick to watch their child, it is a necessary burden. I generally tell the parents at the beginning of my "being to ill" procedure, and suggest that they have a back-up childcare provider or drop-in center in mind.
What I suggest, is just clearly spelling out in the contract your policies. That way, they are prepared. And you are.

Answer 2

The pros are that you get to spend your time with kids all day and you are home so you have the comforts of home. Cons the parents parents can be the worst if you have a parent that is a pain in the neck. I also have the problem of parents being late alot I don't charge for lateness. I run my business on more of a friendly leval and don't have a contract. If you choose to take vacation let the parents know well in advance. For example I take my vacation in April for 2 weeks I usually let them know in our interview you don't need to let them know the exact dates right away but if you can atleast let them know the month well in advance the majority of the parents don't mind and they can find other care. I also take off a few days in the summer and that is it. I don't have children so I am not affected as much. I have never taken a sick day when you have a daycare it isn't as easy to close if you are sick parents will get upset if you close last miniute. But if you intend to let them know this in your interview also let them know that when there child is sick let them know that if they are vomiting they are not allowed to come but they are still to pay you (if you want) and also that you get paid by the week whether or not there child attends daycare if you don't get paid you can't pay your bills. When I first started I didn't make them pay and I lost out on alot of money. Think of it this way if you have 7 children in care and three of them are sick in the same day you are losing alot of money. Good luck if you have any questions feel free to email me.

Answer 3

The child-care service business owes its conception to the rising needs of working mothers and single parents. Today it has gained the status of being one of the fastest-growing businesses in the U.S., making more than $11 billion annually and getting bigger. The working hours have gone up, and so has the need for childcare services especially during late evenings and weekends. This industry is expected to grow by 43% by 2012.

You may start your child-care business either as a small home based operation with little investment or with large, commercial centres. The decision to keep the business very small, or to grow into a big establishment with millions of dollars as yearly revenue is entirely yours.

This business also offers you great flexibility in terms of deciding the age group of children you want to look after, the number of hours you want to work, the services you provide like transportation or field trips etc. It also requires a sense of responsibility and serious commitment from you because the safety, well being and overall development of children in your care depends on you.
Skills required:

To run a child-care service business successfully, you should be energetic, business-minded, professional, a good role model, have a pleasant personality and tolerance for stress. Most important, you should enjoy being with children.

More information in the source

Answer 4

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