Start Up Questions

[Grover]

Thank you for clarifying on the Foster children! That will be an impact and I may just have to always have at least one spot free to account for always having at least one foster child. (Have spots for two, but only doing one at a time right now)

We already have a corner of the living room as our reading nook, but since my kids are older now there aren't as many toys. I will work on a set up for the daycare kids of course.

Thanks again, I appreciate the info, advice and suggestions!

[Lee-Bee]

Where abouts are you in Ontario? What is the going rate for an actual home daycare (not the under the table sketchy ones you mention at $25 a day). I would just worry that being the sole income for a family of 3 (plus foster kids)...and having to leave at least one daycare space open at all times (for a foster child) leaves you with little to no income at all. You can have 5 kids, minus one for a foster child spot. That leaves 4 potential openings for daycare children. That is 4x27 (what you mention above). That is only $108 a day. Minus taxes and CPP. Minus food and minus any craft supplies, toys, daycare equipment, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and house expenses.

Can you live on that much money? Where I am you couldn't even pay rent in a tiny, one bedroom apartment with what money you would have left after expenses...let alone food and costs of living and children.

I know there are others on here that do this as the sole income and have children. Maybe it can be done, but if I see a lot of concerns here that would have me very worried about starting out! Not to mention it often can take months to fill your spots when you first open, many months in some areas. Are you situated to have no income come July...and minimal income until the fall if your spaces don't fill up?

Not trying to dissuade you or sound mean here...just trying to ensure you have planned for the worst case scenario before taking this career move!