Hello from a minority person ;-)

[Mike]

Thanks and good point there. It is sad but true that in general women aren't respected like they should be. It's also true that women who do "man" jobs seem to get more respect, so maybe having more men in this field will make a difference.

[Spixie33]

My only advice would be to get cracking as soon as you can. People are looking for July-September NOW. The thing about daycare is that at least half of people are looking over 4 months in advance.

I actually have had many clients contact me 6 - 8 months in advance.

I think that it isn't totally crazy to have a male dcp. Look at the movie Daddy Daycare....after that movie there were several articles about real daddy daycares. I saw an episode of Love it Or List it Vancouver and they had a father running a daycare out of the house. You know what? He sounded just like any of us female providers when he was talking about what his daycare space needs were and his business.

[Mike]

Already started. I have an ad on Kijiji about my daycare opening in May and doing pre-booking. It would be nice to have a couple of interested parents before I open.

[Mike]

Now that I've been here for a bit and have sort of introduced myself, here's a bit more about me, if you want to do this much reading.

I'm 50, single, never married, no children of my own, but many children that I loved as if they were mine. Some of those children now have children of their own that are also a part of my life. I've babysat for various periods of time, including 5 full days last spring. That was when I made my decision. I first thought about daycare about 8 years ago, but the income I calculated it would make wasn't enough, so I put that idea on hold. I thought about it on and off since then, until last spring. Those 5 days, 3 of which I took off work, were about the happiest days of my life. I would have loved to do that for the rest of my life instead of working, so I did further research and more detailed calculations and made my decision. Work the rest of my life doing something that makes me happy.

That summer I started going to yard sales to get some of the things I will need and had plans to move and start my business in September. Some problems came up and put my plans on hold. Plans now are to open up for June.

I currently rent a room from my parents. 5 years ago I lived in Alberta but had to move back because of my father's health, so I moved in with them. Since then, I just never got back out. It's so handy for them to have me right here, but I'm 50 now and need my own life.

As a teen, I was very shy and very fat. I had 1 friend and that's it. I had no personal life, but I had my main life goal to get married, have a family, and be the world's greatest dad. No personal life got in the way of that. At 23, I met a lady at church, we got engaged, then she said to get lost. I'm a nice and friendly person with a big heart, but due to lack of experience, have trouble making new friends. I've accepted the fact that I will probably be single forever, so will never have my own family. It's depressing when that was my biggest life dream. I love taking care of anyone's children, so that's another reason to make daycare my new business.

I have no criminal record and getting my papers shortly to prove that, taking CPR shortly, have lots of experience with children, and have bought and read many books on raising and caring for children to learn some of the little things I may not have learned through experience, and have a few books on running daycare. Most of my life has been running businesses, so that part is simple.

I know daycare isn't always going to be happy time. I'll have children that will drive me nuts, and parents I can't get along with, but they can always go elsewhere. The good days will far outnumber the bad ones. I will have to work hard at selling myself at the beginning, but once I get started, word of mouth will keep me busy.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I think you can make a go of this Mike but I would like to suggest something. I keep my personal life separate from my business life. Of course I talk to the parents and they know things about me but it's nothing super deep. I am open with them about things they NEED to know, things that pertain to me doing my job. Things that they don't need to know, I don't say. I like to think that is being professional. Others will view professionalism as something different but that's what it means to me.

I would just suggest to seriously consider how much you really NEED to divulge to the parents. Good luck!

[Artsand crafts]

Personally I would not choose a male provider, but if I knew for some time an adult you took care of when they were children and now you are babysitting their kid I could start giving it a second though.

I think adults with children that you took care of could be a good reference for you.

[Mike]

I would just suggest to seriously consider how much you really NEED to divulge to the parents. Good luck!

People regularly tell me I am too open. Front page was reworded. Next will be the about me page and my pricing.
Thanks

I think adults with children that you took care of could be a good reference for you.

I'm hoping that does help.