Working for more than 8 hours

[Peacefulbird]

Hi everyone,

I am going to open Family Care in BC. Just realize that so many care providers offer more than 8 hours! In my small town, I have heard other care providers offer 10 hours. I used to be preschool teacher, only work for 7 hours. I cannot imagine I need to work 9 or 10 hours each day. Some of you must be dead tired by the end of the day!

This is my first time to run family care. I don't know how to set up the options for Drop-in, half day and full day. What if majority of the parents like drop-in option, what should I do? And is it too late to open my centre in November?

Hi, I agree 100% with Suzie_Homemaker. But, also it depends on how you are looking or planning to open your program. Yes it is totally diferentes than working in a centre. But, you will lover the independence of opening a program that suits your philosophycal believes, you will love the flexibility of your own program rather than thight estressful centre based schedules, you finally will be able to connect personally with families and guide them while rising their kids, which in some centres are denied and the director is the only one that connects with parents (who haven't even spent a day with a child to know him/her); and the most important of all you are in charge of you remuneration the better you are the more you can get; while in most centres your options are a minimum wage and no benefits in most of the cases.

I have two friends who same as you thought it was long hours a homedaycare so, they decided to open one a half day preschool ages 2 to 4 years olds (which become popular with the options of 2 and 3 days a week ) 8:30 to 11:30 and 12:30 to 3:30 pm (stay home parents or parents working from home like it). My friend doesn't collect much but she loves her work and her group. She doesn't deal with food the parents sent it all. She contracted a cleaning lady (business tax deductible); my friend only works on her programing and setting her program from time to time.

The other friend; decided to continueD into learning different philosophies and also opened a little preschool program, she is really successful because her little centre is focused to teach children at young age academic skills, after the first results in scores in schools she became popular and now she has a long waiting list. She also doesn't deal with food preparation and uses a cleaning company. She said that at first she thought she wouldn't survive in the business but she found parents in need of a program like hers. Stay home parents can afford to pay few days a week. Obviously now it is different she charges a lot more.

I think you should look your options; honestly I think sometimes doesn't matter how much you'll get as far as you love and like what you do, if you're already thinking that the hours are too long perhaps you can question yourself if this work is suited for you and if you'll be happy doing it or if you'll rather stablish a work that will suit your own hours. Not all parents are out working, some are in home.

I was also looking into the idea of offering my services only on weekends and there is a demand; try to think all posibilities that might suit you best; think out of the box. November is not late. Good luck.