SAHM running part time childcare in home?

[Anonymous]

Thinking about get a license from the county and offering to watch children in my home along with my own infant. I live in N. Arlington in a townhouse near the Ballston metro. It seems there are many working parents who need temporary childcare (nanny sick, provider on vacation, need to work on a federal holiday, in between providers etc) in my area. There also seems to be a shortage of options for childcare in N Arlington (judging from my own experiences). Parents could even park in our parking space and walk to the metro if they needed to. I would be interested in doing this on short term basis and not 45 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. I would plan on taking one child at a time in addition to my own.

Do you think this would work?
What are the pitfalls?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There is a huge market for drop-in care. I think its a great idea and wonder why more SAHMs wouldnt do it.

If I were you, I wouldnt bother with a license for temporary care. Its just like being a babysitter. Just get your name out there through friends or a neighborhood listserve.

[Anonymous]

How old is your infant? Is this your first baby?

[Anonymous]

OP here,
5 months. We were foster parents for a number of years but never adopted (despite trying). So while he is our first, he is not our first first at the same time.

How much would I charge an hour for this?

[Anonymous]

I'd consult with a lawyer to see what you can do legally and go for it!

[Anonymous]

If you are only doing one other child, besides your own, then you do not need a license. Like another poster said, it's just babysitting, in your own home. I think this is great for side money but I would not depend on this money. Word of mouth would get you around just fine.

[Anonymous]

You could also build a profile on a site like care dot com or sittercity.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, OP, I'd still speak to a lawyer who knows regulations about this stuff for an hour or so. Maybe get a short contract. When keeping kids in your home you just want to protect yourself. This is slightly different than a typical babysitting arrangement.

Also, if you develop some kind of back-up thing and get the word out, you can work like a substitute teacher service. You can require parents register with you first, then they can call a week to 7am the day of care is needed (or whatever parameters you set) and you can say "yes I have space" or "no I don't"). You may even be able to keep a shared google calendar that you share with registered parents so they can see if you have a spot before calling you. If you do back-up or emergency care like this you can charge more too!

[Anonymous]

Oh, I have a two month old and I would love to use your services occasionally. I'm thinking of taking a class so I'd need help for a half day each week for a semester. If you set something up, could you advertise or leave your email on this post here?

[Anonymous]

I don't think you'd need a license for only caring for one child. This works best if you can find another child of the same age. Get CPR certified if you aren't already.

I do this, but in DC. The negatives of the situation largely depend on the family you will host. Also, you won't be able to earn as much as a nanny since the other family will be in a nanny-share situation rather than a 1:1. But it is a great way to earn a little and get some socialization for your little one.

Another issue: it's so much harder getting out and about with 2 -- ask any parent of twins! Do you have 2 carseats? Double stroller? Will you be able to socialize with other SAHM/ nannies?

[Anonymous]

I would not expect a very high hourly rate for this kind of arrangement.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you don't speak to a lawyer, at least have a conversation with your insurance agent. You're assuming a huge liability if you "put your name out there" or take some of the advice of some of the other folks here about Google calendars and other steps that would formalize your arrangement. Your ordinary homeowners/renters policy will not cover something like this. You'll probably want an umbrella policy. I'm not in insurance so I don't know what product is appropriate, but when I started teaching team sports, I did get an umbrella policy, just in case a kid got hurt at practice or something.