Home childcare center...pros and cons?

Question

I'm 19 years old. Throughout my WHOLE LIFE ...i've always wanted to work with children. Even when i WAS a child. When i was about 5 years old I used to tell my grandpa that when i grew up, i was going to have my own daycare at my house. I am going to school to get my associates in early childhood education, and i have been working at a childcare center since i was 16 years old (I will be 20 in may..about 4 years).

I want to stay in the infant-preK ages (0-5 years old)..so working at a daycare, as i am now, is ideal for me. However the pay isnt so great in this field. Opening my own home daycare sounds VERY appealing..for many reasons. Either way, i'll stay in this field.

What are the pros and cons of havnig my own home childcare center? as far as insurance and whatnot goes, how much $ would i probably be spending? --- i had the licenceing people send me out a packet, some of it is hard to understand.

any information, as much as you can give me, would be great.

i HAVE thought about what I would do if i needed time off. A lady who i used to work with (who left to start her own center) has somebody come in a few afternoons a week to work WITH her. This is so that the children and parents can get to know this other person. If she gets sick - she has somebody who is familiar with both the children and parents - to fill in. Also, If i was planning a vacation/needed time off - i would make 'friends' with a local childcare center. I would give parents a big notice (as soon as i find out, at least one months notice)...and I would refer them to this childcare center.

Answer 1

At a daycare center your paycheck is gaurenteed, opening your own daycare is a risk simply because you may or may not have a steady income. You will have to deal with the clients yourself and need to make sure you protect yourself against people who don't pay or bring sick kids.
I suggest you take a hint from the daycare you work in and make up a parent handbook that includes ALL the rules, including what constitutes as a sick child, how many vacation days the client gets without having to pay, when payment is due and the fact that you will not take a child if payment is not made, if you take checks then you need to include how much it will be for a bounced check, what kind of notice you will need for withdraw.
You should also make copies of medical informtion so that you have the ability to not only administer first aid but to transport the child to a medical facility and the ability to ok care without the parents direct concent if they cannot be reached. Make sure you get copies of shot records for kids.

It will be expensive for you to open the daycare at first, you have to buy the toys and art supplies, make sure you have adequate area for the kids to play and plenty of stuff for the kids to do so they don't get bored during the day.

Remember to keep very good records so that you are able to claim everything on your taxes, including food, equipment and even the area of your home you use for the daycare...it's considered a home office.

I love having my own daycare, it gives me flexibility and the ability to stay at home with my own kids. It was really difficult at first because I did not have any social outlets other then my husband, but he worked a lot. I like it much better now that I am in school and can be with adults for a few days a week.

Have you thought about a nanny position? Often people pay quite a bit for you to come to their house and take care of their children. That may be a better fit for you since you are so young. If you are interested please check out enannysource.com.

Answer 2

Since you're 19, you probably don't have children of your own. I have had few dealings with home daycares. One glaring thing I noticed is that the supervisors who had children of their own had more problems.
When she was four, my daughter was bullied by the children of the supervisor of her home daycare.
When I was that age, my daycare supervisors sons felt neglected by their mother. I got the brunt of their frustrations physically, verbally, and sexually.
You probably got the message that I am saying not to open a daycare in your your home if you have children of your own unless you have the balance to take care of your kids needs and discipline above the temporary kids in your home, or you could be looking at lawsuits and scarred kids (yours and others) in the future.

Answer 3

if you do this in your home, what will you do when YOUR sick?? and when YOU want time off?? what will the parents do with their children then?? iam not trying to be a wet blanket but i just wonderded if you had thought of those things. i do wish you luck!!

Answer 4

why dont you start out by your state I dont think it that hard most people i no do it that way good luck