I started with an agency too, thinking it would be helpful in getting started up as a new dcp and that they really would be there to "help" me. Yeah, not so much....I ended up finding all my own clients, they still took $65 per month per kid off my fees and the only thing they "helped" me with was monthly surprise visits to tell me all the things I was doing wrong! We ended up having some disagreements over some of the rules I felt were a little ridiculous (for example, I could have hand soap out in my bathroom, but had to keep the shampoo and bath soap locked up and not in my shower????) After a year I left, and all my families came with me, despite getting emails from the agency saying that they could find a new provider for them so that they didn't have to stay with me!!