How Long In The Daycare Business?

Just out of curiosity....... how long have each of you been providing daycare from your home?

I'm going on my third year this time around and the first time around I did it for 3.5 years...so in total...almost 6.5years...with about a 4 year break in the middle :D

Since April of 2010. BUT, have been a nanny for 3 years, have my ECE, and have worked in centers on and off for the past 8 years.

Three whole months! :) Well, this go round. I did it for two years, but have been away from it since 2004. I love it. I am so happy to be back.

A whopping 4 months! But it feels like 4 years!! You get to know these kids so well and they grow so fast, it makes it feel like ages have passed! I dont know how you do it with 8 years in, Judy! You could almost start caring for your first dck's kids!!

Never thought about the kids of kids situation. Guess the moving around constantly was a good thing. I don't feel so old that way. But knowing my first kids are the same age as my own kids does mean they are old enough to be having kids of their own. It will be 25 years as a home daycare provider come this November. I started when I only had two kids - one 2 year old and one 4 months old. That was in Calgary (hubby is military). Then we moved to Ottawa, then London,Ontario, then Kingston, and now back in Ottawa. Been here since July 2001 so 10 years here in Ottawa. With one year mat leaves and only keeping kids till they start JK I think I have probably gone through more kids in 10 years here as I did in the 15 years previous.

Wow playfelt, you've got some years in! Some days I wonder if I'll ever do this for that long.

For me it's only been 7 months. That 7 months has sure flown by though. It really doesn't feel like it's been that long already.

I have been operating my home based daycare since January 2010. I was an elementary teacher before that and I also worked as an assistant at an intellectual property law firm.

I have always enjoyed working with children and my mom even had her own home daycare when I was a little girl. She was so patient and caring with the children and I do my best to live up to her high standards. Sadly she lost her battle with cancer in June of 2009 otherwise I am sure she would be over at my house helping out with the little ones a few times a week.

I cannot imagine doing anything else than what I am doing now. I love being at home, I love being my own boss, I love being able to teach and raise my own kids and other people's kids and I love being able to wear sweatpants and yoga pants on a daily basis :)

7 months for me too! I'm a newbie, but have been so fortunate to meet many nearby caregivers who have provided so much support...plus this forum :)

2.5 year ... wow... seems like MUCH longer than that :laugh:
I did 6 mths as a private daycare and the rest as a subsidized daycare.

For all intents and purpose non of my own kids ever knew it any different. As I said my oldest was under 2 when I started and she loved having a friend to play with while I was busy with our baby. My next two kids were born into the daycare. Right now my youngest is 18 years old and the only one still at home. She has special needs and fits in well with the toddler activities so it still works for me. When you have 4 kids it doesn't take much to have extra kids hanging around.

One year.
And sadly my first dck will be leaving at the end of the month along with her brother(who started 2 months after her). So begins the interview process... :(

nifer, i will be having my first dck leave at the end of the month as well. she's been with me from the start but mom is home on mat leave now and dad might stay home after. it's kinda sad!

I started in April 2010 so its been just over a year. But I started out slowly, only 2 kids from April til Sept and I filled all my spots in Sept 2010.

June 2010 I took on my first kids. So only a little over a year.
Yup, feels longer for sure. And I feel like I have learned soooooo much about myself, how to parent my own kids and what I need/expect from this business.

Eight years.

January 2012 :laugh:

I guess I "win" the newbie award :p

2 1/2 years for me ~ each daycare family/child in my care has made me a better provider and Mom. I truly love my job!

About two years. Before that I was a child and youth counselor in mental health facilities for about 5 years

Since Oct 2010 about 16 months!

I have been caring for children in some form since I was 11, so 30 years. this includes babysitting, college placements, working in a centre and home daycare. I started out on my own in Feb 1994.

I've been doing this for 3 1/2 years now. I always knew I'd stay home with my kids, but I didn't always know that this would be what allows me that privilage (sp?)
I enjoy the kids and the benefits of being at home. Prior to this I was a store manager and a professional skater....quite a change of pace!
I think I'm in it for the long haul. Might be able to retire in 10 years or so....or maybe that's just when my kids' activities will start costing more $$$$! :laugh:
My dcks parents always think I'll be done when my youngest starts school in September....I keep reassuring them that I'll still be here!

Four years in the daycare business, 36 1/2 years in the Mom business and 17 years in the Grandma business and I'm very happy! And yes, I was a teenager when I became a Mom.