mom-in-alberta
03-10-2012, 02:15 AM
Wondering if you had some input here...
I am currently on a self-imposed daycare hiatus, lol. After I had my baby in Sept, I ended up only caring for one part timer and one full timer. At the end of Dec, my full timer went to be with mom at home (baby brother coming). I advertised, but given that it was late November/early December, barely even got a nibble. I don't know that many people want to change childcare at that time, most just want to "get through the holidays". Hubby and I had a heart to heart, and I decided that I was going to keep my one p/t and work outside the home as well. I found a job virtually immediately, which sort of told me that the universe agreed with this plan, too. LoL
What I am now thinking of is providing a before and after school program, beginning in September. I think that I could in all likelihood fill it just with kids from my one son's school. I would have them for about an hour in the morning, walk everyone to the bus and then meet the bus at a little after 3. I would then have them until around 5:30. It makes for an 11 hour day, as I would actually open up about an hour earlier than my current dayhome hours. BUT, I would only have kids for a portion, obviously. I plan to go back to school for my nursing degree, and need to do some upgrading for that, so I will be using the daytime to get my older daughter either to or from half day kindergarten, and looking after the baby, as well as doing some online courses.
I openly admit (to you ladies!) that school aged is not my favourite... but I know that when I did B/A, I also had toddlers running around all day, too. It was exhausting for me. I think that it might be easier without the babies (except for mine, of course). Is that naive? We also should have full use of our home, by which I mean that the basement suite (currently lived in by family members) would actually become the "daycare space". I could actually close the door on my work!!
Also; do you think that I could get away with NOT providing full day/holiday/summer care? Or is it sort of a given that you have to do that, too? I was going to use a flat monthly rate for the B/A care, and add a daily fee if they need PD day care, etc. That way, they have the choice.
I don't particularly WANT to offer summer care, but I think I may have to, unless I get lucky enough to get teachers kids. But they wouldn't need before and after care, would they? In any case, the full time rate would apply if they are here over the summer, right?
So, long story LONG, I suppose I am looking for feedback on the pros and cons of this type of set up. I may have missed things while thinking about this, or what have you... Whatcha think??
I am currently on a self-imposed daycare hiatus, lol. After I had my baby in Sept, I ended up only caring for one part timer and one full timer. At the end of Dec, my full timer went to be with mom at home (baby brother coming). I advertised, but given that it was late November/early December, barely even got a nibble. I don't know that many people want to change childcare at that time, most just want to "get through the holidays". Hubby and I had a heart to heart, and I decided that I was going to keep my one p/t and work outside the home as well. I found a job virtually immediately, which sort of told me that the universe agreed with this plan, too. LoL
What I am now thinking of is providing a before and after school program, beginning in September. I think that I could in all likelihood fill it just with kids from my one son's school. I would have them for about an hour in the morning, walk everyone to the bus and then meet the bus at a little after 3. I would then have them until around 5:30. It makes for an 11 hour day, as I would actually open up about an hour earlier than my current dayhome hours. BUT, I would only have kids for a portion, obviously. I plan to go back to school for my nursing degree, and need to do some upgrading for that, so I will be using the daytime to get my older daughter either to or from half day kindergarten, and looking after the baby, as well as doing some online courses.
I openly admit (to you ladies!) that school aged is not my favourite... but I know that when I did B/A, I also had toddlers running around all day, too. It was exhausting for me. I think that it might be easier without the babies (except for mine, of course). Is that naive? We also should have full use of our home, by which I mean that the basement suite (currently lived in by family members) would actually become the "daycare space". I could actually close the door on my work!!
Also; do you think that I could get away with NOT providing full day/holiday/summer care? Or is it sort of a given that you have to do that, too? I was going to use a flat monthly rate for the B/A care, and add a daily fee if they need PD day care, etc. That way, they have the choice.
I don't particularly WANT to offer summer care, but I think I may have to, unless I get lucky enough to get teachers kids. But they wouldn't need before and after care, would they? In any case, the full time rate would apply if they are here over the summer, right?
So, long story LONG, I suppose I am looking for feedback on the pros and cons of this type of set up. I may have missed things while thinking about this, or what have you... Whatcha think??