How Long In The Daycare Business?

[Judy Trickett]

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

[fruitloop]

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

[Play and Learn]

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.

[Sandbox Sally]

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.

[KingstonMom]

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!!

[playfelt]

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.

[mlc1982]

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.

[canadianjule]

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

[sunnydays]

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

[Sunflower]

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