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 did this several years ago. First of all, when I had a regular 9 - 5 job and took my child to an at home daycare, the babysitter got a great opportunity and went back to work. That left 4 families scrambling. I hated my job, so I took the whole group over at my house, and then added another part-time child. On the very few occasions that I needed the day off, the parents would take their kids to Grandmas, or a neighbors. A couple of times, the first babysitter would take the whole crew back for the day. That way, only one person had to take off instead of all of them. You would have to be a close knit group like we were though. Good luck!

Answer 2

I live in Georgetown, Kentucky and I have done in home child care for three years. I ran two Early Head Start Programs before I did in home. I have a written contract between the parents that states that I will give them a months notice on when I will be taking a vacation. I also, have written six sick days/personal days into my contract. My mother and sister are trained in CPR and First Aid so that if I have to go to the doctor they will step in and take care of the children so that I don't have to bother the parents. I love the experience of being able to stay home with my three year old daughter and we are due to have a baby in August. It does take a toll on your house more so if you only had your family in and out of your house a daily bases. You just have to find the right parents and children to care for. When you are accepting them into your home it's easier to do than if you are running a day care. I love all of my children as if they were my own and have wonderful parents.

Answer 3

Ok, I did this while pregnant with my first child, and for a few months past his 1st birthday. If you can do it, and stick with it, more power to you. I had worked in daycares previously, and it just wasnt the same. The cons were...having a hard time having sick days, for either you or your child (parents dont want your sick kid around their kid most of the time, unless they just dont care). Another con was sometimes parents would take advantage of me always being home and want me to babysit their kid even on days they werent working, sometimes putting it months before I had a day off. If you want to take a vacation you have to give lots of notice so that they can prepare. The families I always sat for were usually quite understanding about emergencies though. Dont get me wrong its not all bad! I learned so much and had lots of fun! I am still close with everyone who I babysat for also. I just couldnt do it anymore because my kids were always sick, and it was stressful on me!

Answer 4

Well I have never done in home childcare, but when my daughter was little she was in one. The provider always took vacation the same 2 weeks every year - all the parents knew it and so I either took vacation the same time or made other arrangements. When the provider was sick she always had a backup person there. This person would occassionally come to her house so all the kids knew who she was - so it wasn't like they were stuck with a stranger.

I always realized that the provider would of course get sick and have family emergencies. It's just something you have to deal with when it comes up. Good luck :)

Answer 5

no care