I would like to start up my own in-home preschool, and was wondering if anyone who has already done that has any warnings or advice about anything at all before I start taking more serious steps towards this. I'm currently a preschool teacher, but would like to stay home and work with a smaller group of kids, and this way my own son can stay home as well- he hates going to preschool- he's a little behind his peers developmentally, has a hard time fitting in, and just likes to be home. I think I would really enjoy having an in-home preschool with just four other kids- but i have no back-up income, so I would be depending on this.
Does anyone have any thougths on getting this going and what they have learned from? Also any advice on carrying insurance on the kids? I probably won't try to get liscensed.
Thanks in advance!
Make sure you have a good contract written up for the parents to sign detailed with drop off and pick up times, who can pick up, penalties, payment requirements, sick policies, discipline plans, don't forget to give yourself paid days off (you should get holidays too!!)
I'm also a stay at home mom with two kids my son is in school and my daughter is almost 3. I started my own in home daycare in august and I'm now considering teaching my daughter preschool instead of sending her somewhere. I've been looking up websites and have found a lot of helpful ones that help you with themes and different tools and worksheets. if you want I can e-mail you those websites! I'll be watching for other advise you get also! Good Luck and Merry Christmas!!
my main advice is be prepared for drama! i was babysitting a child years back and his mom kept telling all her friends about me, so before you knew it i had 4 one year olds. it was DRAMA. get a contract and stick to it! i tried so hard to be nice and all it did was get me walked all over. it seemed like every week someone was drastically late picking their kid up, or had an unexpected bill and was paying me late, or dropping their kid off 2 hours early, or not bringing diapers so i had to use all of mine, not packing a change of clothes so i was sending them home in my daughters and not getting them back. it was a mess. i could never do it again. i just dont have enough of a spine to stand up to people like that.
Unfortunately, you would HAVE to get licensed too, because you get one set of parents like that and when you tell them you cant watch their kids anymore they turn you in to the state and you get fined. Luckily, getting licensed is relatively easy.
if you are looking for back-up income, try going to http://www.PerfectWorkForMoms.com it isnt a get rich quick thing by any means, but it would help you have a little extra for back-up.
I believe that all in-home childcare needs to be liscensed. In my state I think 3 or more kids (including your own) need that.
A new study came out that kids with in-home childcare gets 2 hours of tv a day, so I guess making sure you don't use tv would be a good start. It sounds fun! There is a lot you can do with little ones.
Personally, I think a set preschool time like 9 to 11, with a small group of kids, would be ideal. Offering daycare from 6 to 6 is something that I can hardly fathom. You would need to be very creative and organized, with tons of energy. I don't think one person could do it! I know many do. I basically do that all day with my own three babies/toddlers. It's not easy, but I do have the 3-year-old in preschool 3 days a week for 2 hours.
An outdoor space is a great thing to have, if you do this. Good luck!
