Other Mummy, I could have written the same post! I started out without a contract and basically without a clue. I was open from 7am to 6pm most of the time because I accepted families into care without a thought for myself and was concentrating on getting my business started. I charged way too little. My first dcfamily ran out without notice or paying. I terminated two other families that first year due to major problems.

So over the next 4 years I perfected a contract, shortened my hours to 7:30am-5pm, raised my rates, made a website and learned how to interview and choose great families. Now I'm always full and have great references and people recommend me to their friends and families. I'm always turning people away and about 2 minutes ago I recommended a friend to someone who called me out of the blue looking for a daycare space.

But you know what? Other Mummy (if I may speak for you please?) and I are here to advise others going through what we have been through and we are happy to share our experiences on this forum. We obviously don't want others to suffer.