In Home Daycare Set Up

Do you have just a section of your house for daycare or is your whole house set up for daycare? The place my son goes i love and she has her downstairs dedicated to daycare. She has a kitchen with a fridge and stove and table so all the kids eat togeather. She has a door down there that goes to the back yard and she has a couch and little table and chairs for the kids to color on. She is very organized and has things on the shelves but with clear totes so the kids can see whats in them. It is very kid freindly with the toys and appearance. If you have your whole home for daycare that may be a turn off. Some parents may not like that. Most daycares have either just part of thier house dedicated to the daycare and not the whole house. I would just make sure it is neat but also kid friendly with pictures and toys and books, etc. If it looks like just a house and not a daycare parents may choose someone else to. Good luck and i hope it all works out for you!

I have seen some good suggestions already. I would say, if you think it is because everything is put away and organized, show this to the parents. Open the cupboards, closets, or where ever you have the supplies and just say "this is where I keep the ....", so they can see what you have.

I would have to say, the live in boyfriend, as great as he may be, may be a turn off to a lot of parents, unfortunately.

I totally agree with having interviews during the day, if you do have other kids, so they can see how things go. If you dont have other kids, have them bring their kids, and then ask the child(ren) what they like to play with and take that out.

I have done home daycare for many, many years, so I am happy to help in any way I can. Good luck. It is rough getting started and now is a tough time - with so many people getting laid off and out of work.

S.
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I have a friend who is always constantly full and the 4-plex she does daycare in is pretty much rundown. Yet, she never has an opening. She has a ton of outdoor toys but a smaller selection of indoor. (She has more but rotates them.) The "house" that she does daycare in is quite small as well...... But parents just love her.

Perhaps it's your contract???

How do you conduct the interview? Do you have them come in and tour all of the daycare areas? I always invited them straight to our main daycare room. Had them read the contract. Ask questiong and then give them a tour. (Rooms where nap is. Kitchen. Dining room. Bathroom. Playroom. Outdoor play area. Etc.) And then I told them what things I offered. Curriculum. Holiday projects. Food program. I cooked ALL homemade food. IF the kids ever got chicken nuggets it was a RARE treat! Field trips we do. Etc. Etc.

Or curb appeal? Do you have outdoor toys? A swingset? Riding toys? Climbers?

Have you looked into how many daycares are in your area and if they are full or not? It could be supply and demand.

Depending on who you interviewed it may be the fact that you aern't married and have a live-in boyfriend? Did the families you interviewed seem like that would bother them???

I HIGHLY suggest you ask the parents if they can come for the interview DURING daycare hours. Then they can see how you interact with daycare kids and how the feel of your daycare is. I always gave that as an option. (Would you guys like to come for your interview during the day so you can see what our daycare is like and if it would be a good fit???)

Also. Keep in mind that no daycare is a perfect fit for every child. Good luck.

i am not sure it your set up . i have been doing home childcare for 13 plus years . the issue is there is a lot of families childcare and parents have many to choose from . so it you finding right families you click with . your set up sounds great . if you feel over clean or orgiz, then set out a few toys when you interview for the child ages your interviewing .
i really dont think it you . i think it childcare and it like we are over fill or not full at all . just the hilss of childcare . best of luck .
any question i love to help