Lower ratio = less work?

[Rachael]

Personally, I think one day care child or 6 makes no difference. Day care operating hours are the same regardless of the number present - and I have day care hours which I don't extend.

Just throwing a completely different idea out there..have you considered before and after school children only? Of course, shorter hours of care means lower income but it doesn't sound like the income level is a concern, more so the need to have independent funds.

If you think that would better suit you, determine your opening time for drop off, determine your closing time for pick up and don't be afraid to decline potential clients who want/need care outside of those hours. Depending on the hours your local school starts and finishes, it might mean working 4-5 hours a day tops, which leaves you time for your own child/your household responsibilities, and then once they leave at the end of the day, it's just your family time again. You might find the reduced hours would be less stressful.

Just throwing that out there as an idea.