Need Advice from Other Moms

I really enjoy the home daycare aspect. My son is 2 1/2 and he started daycare when he was 1 1/2. It was at a home day care. After a few months that lady moved so we looked for another and found someone who just started her home daycare and we have been with her a year now. I think it's great!

I would rather have my children in a home that they can walk to and from school.

It wouldn't matter to me if the day care was an at-home place or a commercial place. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

What would be a huge issue to me is whether or not I felt comfortable with the day care provider. They would preferably be CPR certified and have enough people to watch the kids in their charge. I've had my daughter in a number of places, and I have not been thrilled with any of them in the area. So I quit my job to stay at home with her until she starts 1st grade next year.

If you had a good after school care program that was close to my daughter's school, I'd look you up. However, I don't think Ventura Ranch is near her school.

I have some experience on both sides of this issue. I ran a daycare business in my home for 10 years. I had full time, part time, after school, before school, you name it, I did it. After 10 years, I was worn out. I found I didn't enjoy the kids like I used to and really wanted to be home with just my own two boys. I shut down my business when my kids were 5 and 8. Both of my boys missed the other kids and wanted me to start doing daycare again.

Both of my kids are in school full time now and I needed to go back to work. I put together a resume, which was no small task considering I'd been out of "the office" for more than 10 years. I felt really strongly that I needed to be home after school with my kids, my oldest son has some lingering medical problems after he suffered a massive stroke three years ago. I ended up taking a job at a local daycare center. The center is owned by a wonderful woman, the director is very good at what she does, the staff are well trained, caring, etc. The center takes less children per teacher than what the state allows so that group sizes are smaller. There's lots of stimulation, fair rules, healthy snacks and the location can't be beat for school age kids. They charge reasonable rates and accept state aid for childcare.

All that said, seeing what I've seen in the field for the last many years, were I to have a preschool or younger age child, I would choose in home daycare in a heartbeat.

You will find yourself with more kids needing care than you've got space to take them. Set down rules and guidelines with parents and make them clear in the first interview. Insist that parents have a backup caregiver in the case of illness or emergency on their part or yours. DO NOT allow a child to stay in your home with a fever, vomiting, etc. It may seem cruel to call the parents and send the child home. But, I speak from experience. Those nasty bugs will spread through every one of the children you care for and you will have sick kids for weeks. It is truly in the best interest of everyone to send that child home.

Decide on your fees and outline them up front for parents. Also decide when you want to get paid and stick to it. I always asked to be paid on Monday for the week. That way, I knew I was getting the income I contracted for and if the parents chose to not bring their kids, I didn't lose out.

I also had an information form I asked parents to fill out and I kept it for my reference. Things like parents names, address, phone numbers, (home, work and cell), emergency contact information, etc. I also asked questions like, do they use time-out, what is the child's naptime routine, favorite toys, books, favorite foods, dislikes, etc. Also ask them to sign a medical release allowing you to give motrin, etc. for teething, the start of fevers, etc. You need to have their written permission, it's a safety issue for you.

I could go on forever. If you are at all interested in any of the other things I did, or have any questions, e-mail me direct at ____@____.com. I'd love to chat.

Hi R.,
I have a ten year old and a six year old, both girls. This year they started riding the bus home and I changed my hours to be home when they get there but previous years they would go to the "Before/After School program" at their school. I think i would prefer the home care provider if i felt it was a safe and comfortable place for them. I have a hard time with sending them to places with too many children and not enough supervision and also to places that mix teenagers with elementary age students. The B/A program worked out really good for us but I feel sometimes smaller is better because many times they have better supervision. Your idea sounds like a really good one to me! Best of luck to you!

I'd prefer a private home if the care was dependable (not unplanned vacations, etc.). Especially if the mom were licenced and certified. If you enjoy it, go for it. From what other moms say on here it doesn't sound like there are enough options for day care. I'd bet you're full quickly.

I love having my son in an in-home daycare. It's smaller than a commercial place and I feel he gets more one on one attention there. Too bad I don't live in your neighborhood! I'd be happy to be a customer! Good Luck!

I would definitely pick the at home childcare. Before my daughter was in school full time, she went to a friend of mine that did childcare at her house. My daughter loved going there and I think she only watched maybe 4-5 kids at a time(but they were all younger). I think it would be a great thing and I know there are a lot of working mom's out there that I know would love to have a place to send there children and know they are safe!!

I can say I do this and have for two years now. I have a daughter in first grade and a three year old son. I live right across the street too from an Elementary school. I found it a lucrative business, however after years of being home I can say my resume has suffered so be sure you are ready for that blow to your resume.
I found a lot of big daycare centers charge outrageous amounts for part time care. Just with our school district before/after care is like $340 per child! I charge half that and it works out great!
I do a lot of part time care during the day too and found that I can offer a huge service to the parents I work for who only need part time care. I just went to the principal who recommended me to people that inquired and basically through word of mouth got my business here going. I make only about $1,100 a month, however that is pretty good considering I am not working in corporate america and can be here for my kids and not paying out daycare for them either. I pay out probably $75-100 a month in snacks/lunches for the kids. I do different kids on different days too during the day that need it, like from Kindergarten that go only half a day.
I have right now five families I work for.
If your income is in a place you can do it and don't mind the wear it puts on your home then I say go for it.
I think that if when BOTH of my kids are school aged, I wouldn't mind them being in a nice clean home close to the school with a mom I knew vs putting them in an overpriced daycare center at all! Good luck!

Hi R.,

I have tried my son in both public and home daycares and I would take home day care any day. I think that it is more personable and they feel more at ease. I have found state regulated ones have been the best. and most of the time if they take vacation they help you find some one to help you out. I am moveing to the henderson area and am looking for a home day care myself, so do what makes you feel good and there for your kids good luck. T.

I too run an in home daycare. There are 2 types of parents out there. 1 is looking for a daycare center because of the convenience, they are only closed on major holidays and if a teacher takes the day off or has a vacation thier kid can still attend. But the other parent is looking for a loving, small home like environment to send thier kiddo too. Lots of times in home child care is a little less expensive that a big center. There is a big demand for in home childcare. Just advertise and find your local Child Care Association and join, they send you calls and help you get kids into your daycare. E-mail me if you have anyother questions or just wanna chat! I am on my 3rd year of being a provider and I love it.

C.
____@____.com

Hi R.,
Well,
I use to be anti-daycare all the way. Until, I realized that parents really take a chance having there child cared for in someone's home. Don't get me wrong, you may be an excellent caregiver. I just want to point out....Daycare has turned out to be a positive experience. Even though children get sick and pass viruses etc to eachother, the interaction is great for them. Not to mention, I go to work at ease knowing that the center has to follow state guidlines and there are other parents in and out of the facility. I have my son at "Open Arms" off Cotaro and bald eagle ave. The director's name is Roseane. My son loves his teachers. I will always choose a daycare center over private house caregiving. I feel more at ease that my child is safe.
Hope this helps a little.
Patti