I have decided to go forward and get my license and open a day care from my home. I haven't taken any steps yet. I'm still in research phase. I checked out the states requirements and I think I look pretty good there. But, I could use any tips or advice you can give me. About sick kids, late pick ups, how much to charge. anything that would be helpful when getting lisenced. Also my ds is in private school half day. So I would have to take the kids with me to pick up and drop off, should I have a waiver signed by parents? I will still have my 21mos. dd with me at home so it'll be good for her to have a playmate or two. TIA!!

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

bump

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Tonya~

I have some advise for you but i've got my daycare child coming any minute. I don't have the time to post right this minute.

Soooo i will respond to this a little later,
Jodie

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

Thank you

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I have just started my home day care and I can give you some advice. First off, I have had a harder time than I thought I would getting kids on board. That has been stressful b/c I quit my job as a teacher to do this and we REALLY relied on my income. So we are stressing about that a little. If you do not currently have an income and any extra is gravy than you are in good shape!

I had a tough time in the beginning. I actually posted a lot of questions and concerns I had b/c I wasn't sure if it was the right avenue for me. I'm still not totally sure, but things have settled down, teh kids are in a routine and I LOVE being home with ds! Know that your grocery bill and utitlies will go up a little. I did not prepare for that. Then again, if you are already a SAHM some things in the utilities may not cahnge a whole lot. I mostly noticed a huge jump in our water bill. I am already learning how to conserve on groceries. I just didn't think about the fact that this is a business, therefore there is overhead.

Sick kids should not come to your house. period. Put it in your contract that they can not come if they have a fever. Have a contract with all your fees, late charges etc. As far as how much you charge you may want to call around and see how much other people are charging. I was honest with people that I was starting one and wanted to know and they were very nice. Some people say they are calling regarding their own kids. I guess that works too, but I didn't want to lie.

Finally, what I have experienced, just because someone calls and meets you doesn't necessarily mean they will sign up. I get all excited and my hopes up and then they say my location isn't right, my hours aren't right, they are staying with their sitter etc. This area is very saturated with home day care, yours may be better.

I hope this isn't negative, just a few realities I didn't think of! I am keeping my fingers crossed that some more kids will come so dh doesn't push me out the door back to work! It is a fun way to earn some money and stay home once you adjust to having other people's kids in your home. Good luck!

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yikes, sorry for all the spelling errors! I was typing fast!

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