Daycare Providers?

**twinblessed** · 01-05-2005, 06:46 PM

I have been waffling and doing the things I need to do to get set up to be a daycare provider. One minute I think of the things I love to do with kids. All those cuddle moments etc. and I am motivated. I think about how little it pays and I think--what the heck do I want to do that for. Then I think of my kids schedule and I don't think there's anything but night work that I can do... I wish I could stop waffling if this is what I can do to bring more income in.

How do I know there isn't something else I should do?

Catherine

**DaisyLady** · 01-05-2005, 06:59 PM

Catherine, I faced your situation last year. I ended up taking on only one child for half days two days a week. I was then fortunate enough to be able to do contract knitting and crocheting for a local wool store.

Recently, I have gone to daycare provision 5 half mornings a week (the mom had to go back to work full time). I now also teach knitting classes a few afternoons a month when it fits in with my schedule.

Do you have a skill that you could teach to others? It requires very little startup costs and once you do the initial lesson preparation there is very little prep time. Maybe you could offer tutoring?

I hope that helps. I worked the night shift option for a while and really hated it.

Good luck!

**twinblessed** · 01-07-2005, 06:07 PM

Well, I like to quilt but there are lots of quilt classes around. I like to cook but there are lots of cooking classes around here.

I guess one reason I want to start in daycare is that I want to finish schooling in Elementary Education--specializing in preschool, special education.....There are grants/scholarships to help people who are already daycare providers to go to school.

I guess I just hesitate in the daycare provider for a number of reasons: 1-I don't feel like I know what I am doing taxes, paperwork ect. I know I would just love to spend every cent and more on equipment and supplies. 2-I feel afraid I won't make enough money for our needs. 3-I am a little scared of being stuck in the house 24-7. AND 4-My kids are in a coop preschool and I don't know who can watch the daycare if I need to help out 2-3 mornings a month!

Still thinking,

Catherine

**23Shawn** · 01-07-2005, 08:04 PM

Catherine,
I have been doing daycare for about 9 years. I am in Washington State, where you must be licsensed in order to operate (pain in the neck, but I understand why). In Idaho, you can choose to be "registered" or not, I think. Right? Anyway, your status as a daycare makes a difference in your allowable tax deductions. I have found that daycare does not PAY a ton, but SAVES us a ton on our taxes. Things such as mortgage interest, utilities, cable, etc are tax deductable. Your paperwork would not have to be complicated. I have an easy system I would be happy to share and Redleaf Press has some easy tools. (Calendars and forms for daycares that are simple,simple)

Good daycare is hard to come by. If you provide high quality care, you can, believe it or not, set your own schedule. I have a Bible Study group meet in my house Friday mornings.Therefore , I do not take kids until after 11am on Fridays. I let people know right up front. All my parents have a backup for days I am unavailable. I still have enough business that I have a waiting list. Yet, I don't overschedule myself. For years I only took kids over 3yrs so that we could get out of the house and go on field trips etc. It can all be up to you.

I could go on and on about the pros and cons but I don't want to bore you....so...

Good Luck! I am sure that you will make the right decision for your family.

Shawn

**handmerounds** · 01-07-2005, 10:32 PM

Shawn
Personally, I would like to hear more about the pros and cons. I have been considering providing childcare on an as needed basis. For stay at home moms, like me, who need someone part-time. Do you have only full time kids?

**23Shawn** · 01-08-2005, 01:18 PM

Handmerounds,
Hi!
At different times I have had full and part time kids. Right now, I have several part timers. Daycare for stay at home moms would give you some nice flexability with your schedule.

In my opinion, some of the Pros.....
I am home when my own kids get back from school.
I have the freedom to pick and choose kids that will fit into my schedule and get along well with my existing kids.
The tax deductions are great. I have to pay my mortgage, cable, utilities anyway. Why not be able to deduct some of these expenses?
I have truly come to love all my kids and they have become like family to me.
My own kids have learned negotiating, nurturing, sharing, compromising, etc skills here in my home and under my guidance.
When I work at home, I do not need special expensive clothes. I can have dinner cooking each night, so I save $ from eating out or convenience foods. I can throw a load of laundry in while I work. Etc.....

Cons......
My home is no longer just mine. It becomes a place of business and a bit of a " Public " place.
Extra kids mean extra wear and tear on your home. Carpets, walls, possesions get damaged.
When you do daycare right, it can be mentally and physically exhausting at times. As a mother, I am doing the same work 24/7 as opposed to doing something different during the day (floral design, cashiering, retailing, etc) and coming home to a different job. Does that make sense? Sometimes I feel as if I never get a break from my job.

These are just a few pro and cons for you to consider. All in all, I do enjoy daycare and do not regret my decision to do this.

Thanks for asking

Shawn

**Mamaladybug** · 01-10-2005, 12:49 PM

I am also planning to provide daycare services. I'm in California, and here, you can take care of as many children you want if they are from the same family. once you start taking kids from other families, you have to become liscensed. i've wanted to do this for awhile now, but for one reason or another havent. Now that we have our first home, we'll need some extra cash, so, i'm slowly getting things together, and will be starting the process of becoming liscenced. Good luck with whatever you decide.

**twinblessed** · 01-10-2005, 11:35 PM

I do live in Idaho's state capital and in-city-limits you have to be licesced to take care of kids other than relatives in your home. I am almost done with getting the liscense I need a health/fire inspection and have to get back-flow valves on my faucets (weird health code thing that I don't understand).

Shawn--I am really glad that you talked about your situation because I keep wondering if I will regret it. But this week I have been feeling a little more resolved, confident and even a little excited to be doing something with a little more of an adgenda!

Hey and before I read your post a couple of days ago I had looked around town and the web for the books that Redleaf press has and I ordered a bunch to get me started. Honestly the book-keeping is the only thing that scares me more than house-keeping. The past few months I have been working on routines for keeping house and involving my sons and my dh. I hope that I can learn how to keep books well and figure a good price to charge.

Thanks for your advice!
Catherine