Thinking about starting a home daycare

[Anonymous]

OP here

Anonymous wrote:I would be against solo providers. It's not even a good idea with a back up person to care for the children if you are sick because that new person has never been around the kids. That seems like a disaster for everyone. I also don't like the idea of your child being there. It's favoritism. Two infants crying, of course you will care for yours first. 4 kids in your care by yourself also seems like a lot. I thought it was only supposed to be three kids total, including your child?

I, of course, would not do anything I couldn't be licensed for. If the rule is 3 children, then I would do only 3. I've read through the regulations and I actually thought you could have up to 8! That seemed like far too many. I babysat/ nannied for families with 3-5 children, so 3-4 was only my comfort point. I am only brainstorming.

I can understand the concern about preferring to help my own daughter. Hopefully once parents meet me, they would feel more comfortable. Of course, I also realize also my price point is going to reflect these "negatives" (solo provider, daughter in home).

[Anonymous]

We look at numbers first.

If it's just you, then only 2 kids (including yours) is appropriate. So then it's like a nanny share and you can charge 400/week. At least in NoVA. Maybe a little less there, not sure.

If you get an assistant, then you can do 4 kids. One of you will have to go out to get milk, food, wipes, etc. at some point with that many kids. Or one of you might get sick or have an appointment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We look at numbers first.

If it's just you, then only 2 kids (including yours) is appropriate. So then it's like a nanny share and you can charge 400/week. At least in NoVA. Maybe a little less there, not sure.

If you get an assistant, then you can do 4 kids. One of you will have to go out to get milk, food, wipes, etc. at some point with that many kids. Or one of you might get sick or have an appointment.

In Maryland, $400 a week is really high for in-home daycares. (I've been researching this a bit lately.) I don't think people will consider it like a nanny share. That's a different thing entirely.

My impression has been that in Maryland, in-home daycares charge less than the centers. And what they charge varies according to location.

The state has pretty solid guidelines about how many kids per adult, but it depends on the age of the kids (i.e. fewer infants per adult are permitted).

In MD, there are also some guidelines about physical features about the home. You might have to make modifications.

[Anonymous]

My guess is that you will give up this business as soon as your child is old enough not to need to stay home. I'd just consider watching one or two children similar to a nanny share and not get involved in starting a business. To me it seems you're only doing this to have playmates for your child and not necessarily as a huge income provider.

[Anonymous]

Given your background, I would consider using you as a childcare provider.

My only concern about having your daughter there is that there is a backup plan for when she gets sick, which it sounds like you have. Also, I would not be okay with you running errands while providing care.

Some other things I would look for:

1.) Adequate toys and space for the kids to move around when they can't go outside
2.) A daily schedule that includes daily storytime, outdoor play, music and possibly art.
3.) Well balanced meals (prepared ahead of time if you're solo)
4.) A clean, safe house
4.) A playground or public library within walking distance and flexible hours would also be great.

Assuming you have a good driving record and a safe way of transporting the children, I also would be fine with field trips (the zoo, pool, library, etc.) that require driving.

[Anonymous]

Home daycare is not a high paying business so be sure that you are actually going to come out ahead in terms of money and not be in the same place as if you were working and paying daycare.

You can not charge top dollar rates because you are unproven as a business. You will need a couple years experience before people will be willing to pay higher rates.

I was more inclined to pick a home provider who had kids in care who were all close in age. Easier to plan activities and outings.

I passed on any providers who had a large TV in the daycare area, who had a male adult at home all day that they might use on occasion "just in case they needed to run out", providers who walked kids to the bus stop in the morning including their own (talked to too many who believed that walking a few blocks and taking a monitor and waiting around at the stop was ok and leaving baby at home), who didn't have access to a playground close by and who didn't speak conversational English.

[Anonymous]

Wow! I'm from Massachusetts originally, and up there MANY people use licensed family childcare with only one provider caring for up to 6 children (only 3 under 2 years of age, and of those 3 only 2 may be under 15 months of age). Very few do 'group family childcare' where you must have 2 providers but can have up to 10 children.

And most family childcare is more like a SAHM caring for children than a preschool program at a nursery school or childcare center. There will be babies, toddlers, and the occasional 3 year old, but most people search for preschool/childcare once their child is 3 years of age because they want them to have a larger environment that is more like school, with more friends. Children who are 3 and 4 yrs old are really ready for friends, playing with a larger group of children, etc. They would be bored in a small environment with only 4 kids at home all day. And you can't afford to set up a house like a full on childcare center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Home daycare is not a high paying business so be sure that you are actually going to come out ahead in terms of money and not be in the same place as if you were working and paying daycare.

You can not charge top dollar rates because you are unproven as a business. You will need a couple years experience before people will be willing to pay higher rates.

I was more inclined to pick a home provider who had kids in care who were all close in age. Easier to plan activities and outings.

I passed on any providers who had a large TV in the daycare area, who had a male adult at home all day that they might use on occasion "just in case they needed to run out", providers who walked kids to the bus stop in the morning including their own (talked to too many who believed that walking a few blocks and taking a monitor and waiting around at the stop was ok and leaving baby at home), who didn't have access to a playground close by and who didn't speak conversational English.

WOW! I can't believe anyone thought that was okay!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be comfortable with having my child in your car, not ever. But in a stroller for long walks? Sure! And family childcare providers have a system for managing multiple children at once (just like toddler teachers in a childcare center do), but yes, you will go to the bathroom and therefore the children will be unattended for those couple of minutes. That's what happens at home with a SAH parent who has 1 or more children, too. So you'd put the baby in the playpen/pack and play, take the 18 month old in with you (because toddlers WILL get into trouble) and the 2 and 3 yr olds are fine for a few minutes reading books, coloring at the low kids' table, playing with duplos/puzzles/whatever on the floor.... you're not taking a shower or a bath for heavens sake! But not everyone is comfortable with only one provider, but I think there are more who would be if they are truly looking for family childcare. And with your background, once I meet you? Sure!

[Anonymous]

Also, if she took care of only ONE CHILD who was similar in age to her baby, she would be considered a "nanny share" kind of so could demand the nanny share salary. The only thing is, I think (but you would need to check) that there are rules about caring for a non-related child in your home - could you do 1 but not 2 without being licensed? (since nannies do it all the time, but are they basically illegal but we all look the other way? I dunno....) Hmmm. something to think about. Because if you did a nanny "share" concept (1 other child) then that child's parent would most likely be fine with you taking their child in the car, blah blah because they would be with a regular nanny! (my friend's kids are in the car with the nanny all day long on their way to gym, dance, music, blah blah and they are 18 mos and 4 yrs old!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Home daycare is not a high paying business so be sure that you are actually going to come out ahead in terms of money and not be in the same place as if you were working and paying daycare.

You can not charge top dollar rates because you are unproven as a business. You will need a couple years experience before people will be willing to pay higher rates.

I was more inclined to pick a home provider who had kids in care who were all close in age. Easier to plan activities and outings.

I passed on any providers who had a large TV in the daycare area, who had a male adult at home all day that they might use on occasion "just in case they needed to run out", providers who walked kids to the bus stop in the morning including their own (talked to too many who believed that walking a few blocks and taking a monitor and waiting around at the stop was ok and leaving baby at home), who didn't have access to a playground close by and who didn't speak conversational English.

I would add that in addition to having a problem with a provider's spouse caring for kids, I would also have a problem with a provider having other relatives come over to assist.

I'd really want a clear and upfront policy about who will be caring for my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, if she took care of only ONE CHILD who was similar in age to her baby, she would be considered a "nanny share" kind of so could demand the nanny share salary. The only thing is, I think (but you would need to check) that there are rules about caring for a non-related child in your home - could you do 1 but not 2 without being licensed? (since nannies do it all the time, but are they basically illegal but we all look the other way? I dunno....) Hmmm. something to think about. Because if you did a nanny "share" concept (1 other child) then that child's parent would most likely be fine with you taking their child in the car, blah blah because they would be with a regular nanny! (my friend's kids are in the car with the nanny all day long on their way to gym, dance, music, blah blah and they are 18 mos and 4 yrs old!)

If she took care of one child in addition to her own, she would only be a "nanny share" in the sense that she would be the other parent "sharing" the nanny, and so she would "pay" the other half. So she would only demand half of a normal nanny share salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I would add that in addition to having a problem with a provider's spouse caring for kids, I would also have a problem with a provider having other relatives come over to assist.

I'd really want a clear and upfront policy about who will be caring for my child.

Seconded. I want to know who your regular assistant is, and if there will be a short-term replacement, I want to know ahead of time. No friends/relatives randomly replacing you. I'm fine with relatives working together if it's on a regular basis, all are qualified, and I know who all of them are - but no "oh, sometimes my mom comes by if I need to run errands." Your nine-year old granddaughter is not an appropriate assistant (encountered this).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Home daycare is not a high paying business so be sure that you are actually going to come out ahead in terms of money and not be in the same place as if you were working and paying daycare.

You can not charge top dollar rates because you are unproven as a business. You will need a couple years experience before people will be willing to pay higher rates.

I was more inclined to pick a home provider who had kids in care who were all close in age. Easier to plan activities and outings.

I passed on any providers who had a large TV in the daycare area, who had a male adult at home all day that they might use on occasion "just in case they needed to run out", providers who walked kids to the bus stop in the morning including their own (talked to too many who believed that walking a few blocks and taking a monitor and waiting around at the stop was ok and leaving baby at home), who didn't have access to a playground close by and who didn't speak conversational English.

WOW! I can't believe anyone thought that was okay!

Yes, I found out because I was going to interview a provider, found her walking back from the bus stop, walked into the house, and discovered the baby at home had woken up. The monitor was in her purse.

After that, I learned to ask very specifically about this scenario and there were a couple other providers who also did this.

[Anonymous]

Great thread! I did just as a you are describing a year ago.

Here are my takeaways from my experience and speaking with other family childcare providers:
-It is OK to do this, not everyone will want it, but you don't need everyone to be your customer, just some people.
-Most family childcares take a few years to get to capacity, if they ever do. Is starting slow--even with less children than you stated--financially feasible?
-It is harder to take care of your child than other people's children in a group setting; they know your buttons (I am speaking from a beyond-infant perspective)
-A lot of family childcare providers start this way. Many stay on after their children go to school and make a lifelong profession out of it, others don't. It is all normal.
-It is going to be easier for YOU to have an employee; you could work up to it, even PT helps. Businesses with at least 1 employee have more stability anyways, and judging from this thread, the market seems to appreciate that.
-It is easier to manage someone not related to you. Pay them above minimum wage and be nice to them.
-Administratively it will take time to get licensed, market, maintain your business, not to mention making sure your home is clean every single day for guests to walk right in. You need to calculate that into your cost/benefit.