I would really like to start watching children from home and I don't know how to get started. First of all I live in an apartment, my husband thinks that no one will want someone who lives in an apartment watch their child/children. What are your opinions? I live close to the Rt. 59 train station, so location is very convienent. Some advice please? Thanks in advance.
I am posting this again to get some feedback, anyone?
Editing for one post: I do live on the first floor :0)
Some of you had asked how many, I really only want to take in 2 children, so with my son, that would make 3.
Hi,
that comment before is very rude and arrogant,I'm sorry.
I live in a house and would totally let someone watch my child in an apartment.It's the quality of the care not if you live in a fency home or not.
So, please don't listen to the people who think they are better,because they live in a house !!!!
Hello! Are you planning on getting certified or only taking a couple kids? My sister is a liscensed provider in Oswego and I am sure she would be happy to talk to you about this. As far as you living in an apartment, and it being close to train station and all, if the care was good, that would not bother me at all.
S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com
Hi there-
I think that your husband is right. I personally wouldn't choose to put my child in the care of someone living in an apartment. The only condition would be if it were someone that I knew and trusted very well AND if the price was right. I am afraid that while your location is good, you likely won't find someone unless your price is very low and well, that might not be worth your time then.
Sorry.
N.
I guess my questions for you are what exactly are you looking for? Do you want younger or older non-school age children? How many? How about before or after school care? Are you within walking distance to a park? What can you offer parents besides being close to the train? Can your vehicle accommodate more children and their carseats? How about stroller space? What will you do if your child is sick?
I think an apartment is fine as long as you have access to green space or a larger play area (clubhouse or something).
After making some decisions, you could ask working mom's in your apartment complex what they are looking for in a child care provider and go from there.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes!
Hi T.,
I have been on the search for a good sitter for some time and if that meant finding the right person that lived in an apartment, it wouldn't be my first preference but I'd be open to it simply because finding the "right" person, as I'm finding, is extremely hard. Most everyone I know has some friend or relative sit their child/ren but I don't have that option so I've settled with someone I've been less than thrilled with and she does own her own home.
I think what's important and what I would recommend when talking with potential clients is that you're only going to take on 1 or maybe 2 other children. Although your home isn't huge, weather permitting you plan on being outdoors everyday, you'd like to take a field trip once a week and you plan on having teaching lessons on a weekly topic (like Down on the Farm and learn about animals and go to a petting zoo).
I think the importance you'd be placing on the care they'd be receiving v. placing so much importance on just the physical environment is valuable. Like I said before, I have a sitter who lives in a nice big home and I've been doing nothing but trying to find someone new for the last 6 months. I can only believe there are other people like me in the same situation.
Best wishes,
S.
Where are you located? I am searching for an in home provider.
T.,
This link may be helpful to you to get information about licensing if you choose to go that route. If you live in Will County, it is the agency you would go through:
I watch children in my home, but am not licensed. I have 1 child of my own and can keep two others each day being non-licensed. It's a long process to get licensed, but if you want to, the above link is who you go through.
Feel free to contact me if you need information about creating a contract for daycare or anything.
I've decided to go back to teaching part-time this fall, so I'm not going to be watching kids full time anymore, but it has been great for income and saving on gas to work, new clothes, eating lunch out, etc.
Good luck,
Kim
I think living in an apartment is okay for watching kids, but might be difficult if you live on the second or higher floors. My best friend who has a special needs child was not able to find someone to watch her daughter for the longest time. Finally, she found someone who lived in an apartment, but on the second floor. She wasn't all that thrilled with the idea, but since she couldn't find anybody else, she decided to give her a try. She had to buy her daughter a helmet, though, just in case she fell down the stairs. At least make the effort to get the word out that you're interested in watching kids, but make sure you point out that you do live in an apartment. Some people might not be comfortable with that.
What's the difference if you live in an apartment? I think the biggest thing is being realistic about how many children you can handle while taking care of your own child. I think without a day care license you can only watch a couple of children anyway.
I think you just have to start marketing and see if you get any response. I've seen postings up at the grocery store, Craig's List, napervilleyardsales.com, sittercity.com. How do you know until you try? You might want to try doing it more of a "drop in" until you get established "full-time". Since you're in a good location a lot of moms would love to have a place to get a couple of hours once or twice a week so that they can get things done without their kids. Just a thought.
Good luck! Starting a business is a big step. I would definitely make sure that your husband is apprehensive because of you living in an apartment and not that he really doesn't want you to have a bunch of kids in his home. When you have a business from home (this I know from experience) it can be stressful on your spouse and you really want them to be on board to make it work!
I guess it would depend on how many kids you were watching and their ages. I grew up in an apartment in Chicago, so I am not biased towards them at all(contrary to the previous poster's statement), but I would want my kids to have enough space to spread out a bit, which isn't always possible in an apartment. But, if you had a couple of smaller kids(like 2 and under), in addition to your son, I don't think it would be bad. Also, it depends on the size of your apartment. I don't think it hurts to try and advertise your services and see what happens. Good luck!
