How long when you're not sure?

[Starshine]

How long would you continue doing home daycare as a new provider if you aren't sure it's what you want to do? I guess what I'm asking is, how long is enough time to give it a fair shot before deciding that it is or is not for you.

[fruitloop]

I'd say 1 year is a fair time frame to decide if this is the business for you. It's definately not for everyone. :)

[Momof4]

Fruitloop is wise. Once the dreaded first year has gone by you are either well established with great clients or still struggling and that's a good indication. But if you are happy and can survive financially with 1 client and willing to keep trying, go for it. The key word is HAPPINESS!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Hmmm ... hard call for me it would depend on what the 'challenges' were I was facing making me decide if this was not for me?

Are the issues with the 'business administration end', with the dealing with the client end or with the children and program end ... how much control did I have over changing the challenges and were they things that were 'skill based' that I could acquire the skill with more practice or things that were 'innate' you either are able to do it or not!

IME there are some things that no amount of time are going to 'fix or make better' they are things you just naturally able to do .... I have worked with peers in the 'centre field' who while really 'book smart' they really should NOT have be in this field because their inability to manage a GROUP was not there t hey were not able to multitask putting children at RISK ... the % of accidents occurring DAILY on their watch because they were not 'supervising' properly was just TOO HIGH but often dismissed by both the peer and management as well 'kids get hurt all the time it is part of childhood' ... IMO the children were allowed to get themselves into situations that COULD have been avoided with support of a properly skilled adult who could multi task dealing with one while still 'watching' all the others to redirect and prevent injuries caused by poor choices of the child (running inside, climbing unsafe areas, etc all avoidable injuries) and than there were the peers who literally 'lost' children who were able to have time to have wondered away from the group because they were not able to continually 'scan' the room while dealing with one child within the group and so forth. .... peers who after years in the field were still doing this same thing cause it was not something they could 'learn' to do.

[apples and bananas]

I wanted to stop doing it several times in my first year. I think it takes about a year to really decide what you're doing, how you're doing it and what you want to do. I opened with crazy hours and burnt out real quick. I resented the parents because they dropped off early or picked up late, but didn't have the backbone to do anything about it. I turned a corner around the 6 - 8 month mark. I terminated care for some of those parents who did not respect me, I changed my hours and either the parents fell in line or they moved on. I wrote good policies and decided to run my business rather then let it run me. I realized that I was valuble to these families, and if they weren't happy with me they were welcome to move on. I created a business plan and knew what families I wanted to take on what hours and took those clients on rather then taking what ever came to me.

Hang in there... it's a great job when you control it.

Decide why you're doing it and what you want out of it. Then gain the confidence to find families that fit your vision.

[Spixie33]

I have noticed a lot of people close down at the 18 month mark. I think that seems to be a big marker point where people either make it or decide that home daycare is not for them.

However, if you are completely miserable then there is no right time. You just know if you are not meant for it and there is no point prolonging it.

I was not sure if I had made the right decision the first few months...I was working long days, exhausted and realizing how hard daycare was but I still felt like I could do it and was pleased with the families and the income. I told myself to keep going for at least one or two years.

I have been doing this for two years now and I have days where I really enjoy doing daycare. I thought I would end the daycare this year but now I am thinking 2 more years. When it all works - it really works.

I never thought I could do this job ten years ago but I am glad most days that I am doing it. :)

[Mamma_Mia]

I'm a year into it and I still loving doing it BUT I need more kiddies!!! I've heard others in the area says they've never seen it this slow....

[GymMom]

Thank you for posting this! I've had the same question in my head lately too! I've been open for 3 months and have been having some great days and some really, really hard days. I realize that it's in my power to control some of that though. I have great kids and great parents right now (terminated one family recently because the kids were not a good fit). I struggle with the long hours (I have some 12 hour days) and with keeping the kids busy. I need to work on my programming and activity ideas (any book suggestions anyone?). A few days ago I was ready to throw in the towel but I've decided to hang in there until the summer and give this business a good chance!

[playfelt]

I think it also has to do with why you started into home daycare in the first place. Was it because of issues in your other job making you want to leave, suffered a job loss so job was no longer an option, had a baby and didn't want to leave them to return to work, moved to a new area and still looking for an outside the home job, etc. That might then give you a timeline in your mind of how long you might want to stick it out such as till your own child has weaned off breastfeeding, reached a certain age or milestone, your child has started school.

It is important to assess if you started home daycare for the right reasons or if it just seemed like an easy out at the time. Not saying some don't start that way and then just hang in there because that is in a sense what I did in that I was looking for a job with my teaching degree after we moved but in the interm agreed to provide care for a neighbour's child, and then another one asked due to care breakdown, etc..... that was 27 years ago and I discovered I loved home daycare as much if not more than the type of job I was looking for.

I was also going to post along the same lines as what Reggio posted - a good sit down with a cup of tea and a clipboard for some brainstorming might help a lot. Write down why you started home daycare, what you like about your current situation, what you don't like about your current situation. Then look at the why and see if it still applies. Look at the what you like because it will make you feel good. Then look at the what you don't like and see if there is anything on the list that is changeable. Maybe after you have made your list you could even share some of it here and we could give you ideas on things to try that might address the situation - is there a certain child that seems to upset the day then let them go, is clean up an issue - then look at ways to eliminate how the mess is made in the first place, do you crave adult interaction - then visit playgroups, join a class, choir, gym, club of some sort in the evening. Look at ways to steamline your day by realizing what is important and what is not. Steamline your routines in terms of things like diaper changing so they take less time - hence more free time for you and a feeling of more relaxed moments. This is not something that comes naturally in the first year or even second or third. It is an ongoing process even for those of us that have been in daycare awhile because each group of children changes the dynamics and needs.

I think once you have done your needs assessment you will have a better idea of how long is long enough. Once you know for sure that you are not happy and want to do something different then it is long enough because that will rub off on the children and then no one is happy and their discontent will make yours worse. Once you know you love what you do just not some aspects of it and that they are changeable for the better then you will know.

[Bookworm]

I am nearing the end of my first year in business and there were times when I questioned whether or not I wanted to keep doing this. I experienced bouts of burnout, but have now learned what my limits are and what I can and can not do. I am now really excited about my second year as I am in the midst of planning a rough idea of what I would like to do with the children, so that I'm not flying by the seat of my pants all the time, as I find I get demotivated when doing so.
I plan on doing this until my son is ready to go to school, maybe longer. At that point every single one of the kids in my care will be going to school and I will have to start all over again looking for clients.

I do agree with playfelt and Reggio. I think it is beneficial to sit down every 6 months or once a year and assess your business. Is it running the way you would like? Are you enjoying the day to day aspects of the daycare? Is there anything you want to change? Etc.... This way you will be able to understand your feelings about running a daycare and whether or not you would like to continue.
Best of luck to you, with what ever you choose to do.

[Crayola kiddies]

I think the first year is the hardest because it is trying to get families signed on.... Some are lucky and they fill up fast because of the need vs. Availability in their area but in general the first year is hard. It seems overwhelming when you have three or four spots to fill as opposed to just one especially if you need to be full in order to make ends meet. So I think at least a year is a good judge of "is this what I really want". I found it difficult to be tied down. I don't live in a sub division and I don't have the option to go to libraries, play groups, local parks, ect.... so I am at home all day. I also found it difficult because my weekends were tied up with house work, groceries, laundry, errands, extra circular actives for my kids, ect that I never had any down time and was actually looking forward to Monday's for a break. I shortened my hours and hired a house cleaning service to come in once every two weeks. I do one load of laundry Wednesday and Thursday night and then the rest I do on Sunday. I cut back on the big meals I was preparing through the week for my family dinner which created a lot of dishes instead something like soup and grilled cheese sandwiches was perfect. I had to simplify my days to help me adjust and now I have a routine and a full daycare and things are great.

[Starshine]

I have been operating for 4 1/2 months. I have 3 part-time clients and 1 full-time client--I am okay financially with this. I am a single parent and I am homeschooling my own child. I don't have a vehicle and I live in an apartment. I started doing home daycare because I wanted a way to stay home with my child and homeschool, and still earn an income--it was literally the only option I could see.

I find it difficult having my own child (7) with daycare children (toddlers)--I feel like when I am with one, I am neglecting the other. My child is great with the daycare kids and I think in some ways it is beneficial for him to be around young children--it is teaching him a lot about empathy, and being kind, gentle, etc. But I also worry that spending so much time with younger kids in hindering his own development. There are lots of activities that I would like to get my son involved with (homeschooling groups, etc) but I can't because I have to be home with the daycare kids, be here for naps, etc. Also, not having a vehicle, I rely on walking/public transportation, so if I want to drop my son off for an activity, it takes a long time with travel time.

Being in an apartment, the daycare kids have access to the entire place other than my son's bedroom. The kids nap in my room, the living room has turned into a playroom, etc. I want my home back. I feel like I have no privacy and that I can't relax here anymore. I feel like the house always has to be presentable for daycare kids and for interviews. There are toys and stuff everywhere and I'm tired of looking at it all. I feel like it's not my home anymore.

I miss interacting with other adults--even if we go out, the interaction with other adults is always focused on discussing kids. I miss having intellectual discussions and learning about different things. I feel like my brain is going to mush. In some ways, this isn't challenging enough for me in the ways that I need it to be.

In terms of what I like, I like being home with my son. I like setting my own hours/rates and making rules that work for us, being in charge of how things work. I like running my own business. As for the kids, I take very good care of them, I provide enriching activities, I hug and snuggle them, but I don't get particularly excited about any of it.

[dodge__driver11]

@ Starshine I went through this exact same thing see my thread "Changes I havee decided to make" it might help:)

[GymMom]

I can totally relate, Starshine. Another thing I struggle with - if I know that I'm not in this for the long term, is it better for the kids, and for me, to cut my losses now and let everyone move on sooner rather than later?! I just hate being a quitter.

[Crayola kiddies]

Ah yes ..... Adult interaction .... I do miss that !!!! My hubby works two jobs so even if I wanted to talk to him he's no help in that department heehee. He just can't fathom when I call a friend or one of my sisters in the evening and talk for an hour .... He could never imagine doing that. But I need to talk !!! I am in this for the long haul. My youngest goes to school next sept but my mortgage has decided that I am going to do this for about 10 more years.

[sunnydays]

I had typed out a long response, but it got eaten by cyberspace! Basically I think you have to do some soul searching and really decide if this is worth it for you. While I had smoe ups and downs in my first year, I never felt like it wasn't challenging me in the right ways and the more I do it the more excited and passionate I get about it...I am excited to learn more, do more, and grow my knowledge and experience (which is why I am always on this forum). If you are not feeling that passion, it is totally understandable as your passion probably lies somewhere else. So I guess you ahve to decide if you want to continue in a job you are not passionate about nor excited about in order to stay home with your son...or do soemthing else, but possibly not be able to stay home and homeschool your son. The third option of course, is to somehow find some passion in daycare and find ways to actually make it exciting and challenging for you (maybe take some workshops...I find they always get me revved up). Good luck with your decision making process!

[Smitty]

I started my daycare two months ago because like some of you, I felt it was important to me to stay home with my little one. (I also have a seven yr old in school) I have good and bad days but i LOVE being home. I do not enjoy how my house is getting distroyed by the daily where and tear. I enjoy the little ones I have but I will be honest and say that I do not enjoy the Before/After school kids that I also watch. They are absolutely wild! lack respect and i feel like all I do is yell at them. Do you guys have separate space for your daycare or do you use your main rooms in your house? Also do any of you do before/after school care? do you do activities for them? I tried but they just want to play which always gets too out of control.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I had typed out a long response, but it got eaten by cyberspace! ....

Shamefully admit that I now type my responses in WORD and copy and paste them into a thread to avoid this cause it has happened to me far too many times!

[Crayola kiddies]

Smitty ..... Yes I do have a separate space for my daycare however I do use my bedrooms for napping. Each child is contained in a pack and play so there is not playing hence wear and tear on "my" space. Parents enter and leave thru the daycare entrance and our days are spent in the daycare or outside. I have done before and after and I currently have a SK that comes before only. I only do one at a time because they take up a space as far as my numbers go so I haven't really had a discipline problem. I never did activities cause once they have been at school all day they just want to play. I always kicked them outside that way they could run around and yell till their hearts content. I would suggest telling them that if they can't behave then you will find a job for them to do..... Washing toys,reading a story, helping to get snack ready , preparing the next days craft, cleaning up or their homework !

[sunnydays]

I've never done before and after care for the reasons you ahve mentioned (plus it doesn't pay well). But, I do have a separate daycare area and it is AWESOME! At the end of the day I get to leave it and the rest of my house is intact (well except for the mess my own kids create). I like Crayola's advice...outside time is great at the end of the day for them to burn off steam (I try to do this with my own son when he gets home, although lately he complains that he is cold and wants to go in...not sure when he became so anti-outside....I'm now working on doign outside activities to keep him busy such as a game of tag etc). And I like her suggestion of play nicely (but you will have to specific about how you expect them to behave with examples etc) or do your homework, wash the dishes etc. Actually, you might find they like helping out so maybe you could have the kids help you with the little ones...like prepare a puppet show for them or read them a story, etc. I know my 4 year old loves to be the helper :)


I started my daycare two months ago because like some of you, I felt it was important to me to stay home with my little one. (I also have a seven yr old in school) I have good and bad days but i LOVE being home. I do not enjoy how my house is getting distroyed by the daily where and tear. I enjoy the little ones I have but I will be honest and say that I do not enjoy the Before/After school kids that I also watch. They are absolutely wild! lack respect and i feel like all I do is yell at them. Do you guys have separate space for your daycare or do you use your main rooms in your house? Also do any of you do before/after school care? do you do activities for them? I tried but they just want to play which always gets too out of control.

[Tot-Time]

I'm just quickly reading through this thread, I haven't been on daycare bear much because I haven't had to advertise a space in 2 years. I had one family who was supposed to be leaving summer 2013 just give notice because they decided not to put their daughter into public school but private school and of course the private school has a space now and so they are looking at moving her the end of Feb. I was thinking I had until the summer to get prepped for interviews and now I'm feeling nervous all ready, I'm not good at interviewing!

Anyway, I had to read through this post because I have over 20 years experience in daycare between being a live-out nanny, working in a daycare centre, and home daycare (17 years). My children are 17 & 14. I'm in my last few years of daycare and I find myself more and more wishing that I didn't have a few years left so I can move on to something new. Now with 1 child leaving soon and then another leaving for school in Sept, it makes me wonder if I should possibly be weaning home daycare now. The hardest part I think about leaving home daycare is the years you've invested into it, meaning, the longer I've been doing home daycare the 'less employable' I feel. I have my CECE (well I didn't renew in July but if I pay the late fees I should be able to get reinstated), so I can work in a centre, but I truly feel like home daycare has spoiled me in the sense that I'm my own boss and I may not be able to work outside the home.

I'm not 40 yet, so a part of me feels like I'm too young to retire so often I think about just accepting before and after school care students, so that I can have my day to myself. Take back my basement and my kitchen :) I can dream!

I'm pretty much with my last group of daycare children now. I'll see this group off to school and then switching to the school aged kiddies. I have one more sibling to accept and I was hoping that would be my last baby. But now with this new space opening up earlier than anticipated, I may be required to accept 1 more infant.

For the newbies wondering when to say enough is enough ... my thoughts are it takes a good 3 months to get used to daycare, develop a routine and find what works best for you. Daycare is a learning process which has a high learning curve in that first year. If you make it past 3 months it does get easier, if you make it past the year it does get easier again. Now, if daycare isn't for you, no matter how long you are doing home daycare it just won't get easier, so you always have to do what is best for you and your family needs. Home daycare does have a high burn out rate and I think that is why you will see many caregivers closing home daycare after a year or 18 months. I can truly tell you that the year I spend working in a centre was way easier than home daycare, when working outside the home you have scheduled breaks and lunches, but at home on your own your breaks are dictated by whether the children nap or have quiet time. Not that home daycare is bad, by no means am I saying that, it has its own rewards and that is what keeps me going :)

[Tot-Time]

Oh ... and yes the adult interaction is something I miss!!!! I often wish that double daycares would be allowed and then I would be in heaven with home daycare :)

[Momof4]

I see other home daycare providers at least 2-3 times a week. I arrange visits with them at parks and other venues and it really helps me to have others who understand my life and my business. All of our daycare children have become great friends too and my little ones are always running toward the park yelling 'our friends, our friends'. It kind of combines the big daycare group and the small home daycare into one great program. They get the one on one care at the home daycare and the big park groups prepare them for a big class when they start school. It's also a great selling point during an interview when I explain it to parents that way.

[Tot-Time]

I agree Momof4 that park visits and children's events are an excellent way to get some 'adult' social interaction. Park/outside play is as much for the children as it is for us. The problem is travelling with 5 little ones in the winter isn't the easiest task and local parks aren't fenced :( Not that my kids would run, but one never knows. Plus, I sometimes find it frustrating that some caregivers can't seem to multi-task, ie observe the children and socialize. That is a whole other story.

It's time to start thinking about the future of daycare. I said I wouldn't accept anymore infants after my next sibling so I have to decide what is going to happen, whether I leave the space empty or if I start weaning daycare now. It doesn't seem like an easy decision.

[Momof4]

I understand what you are saying and there was a caregiver in our group just standing there while the rest of us watched her kids but I don't see her any more. Her kids were out of control little monsters. I'm constantly counting my kids and watching and chasing them and I prefer parks that are kind of in valleys, but even my one year old children have just been through a safety week and we talk about it all the time, inside and outside. My one year old girl barely talks but she knows red-stop, green-go. I keep them on the backpack with ropes attached to my wrists system when we are walking. We had such a mild winter last year we were at the parks in Jan & Feb but it may be a whole different story this year. Also, two of my older children have been replaced with babies which will slow me down too. But if we get lots of snow we won't have to travel far because we'll have lots to do here on the premises.