what golden pieces of advice do you have for me??!!

Here's the situation: Our area is closing down the VPK's, even our public one, and I am considering taking on about 4 children, around 4 years of age next fall. I will be "teaching" and trying to get them ready for K. 3 days a week for 4-5 hours per day. In there of course would be lunch and play time outside.

But what have you encountered that would help me out? What things must you have on hand?
Any input would be so well appreciated!

__________________
married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 5 and a pineapple who is just about 2 , mommy to 4 ~angel~ babies

What is a VPK?

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

When I was pregnant with my first, I obtained daycare license. It was my big plan so I wouldn't have to go back to the office and could stay home with my children. I advertised for 6 months and never got any calls. I was registered with the local agencies and everything. We ended up doing well enough on my husband's salary and I dropped the license.

It is a long, tough process. I spent $1500 on licensing. That is not a lot compared to most start up businesses but most startups make a lot more money than daycare.

My close friend is having trouble filling her daycare spots, she has been in business for 10 years. She gets calls for infants but no preschoolers.

I don't mean to burst your bubble but it is hard to get into a preschool only situation

My county has all of the licensing information online. Although you only plan to take preschoolers, you will need everything for infants-grade schoolers since it is a home daycare. You can chose to only take 4 or 5 children and then you only need to have supplies for that many children. Every state and county is different.

VPK is voluntary 4 year old kindergarten.

I would actually be "taking" these children from the preschool that my dd goes to, as it is closing down and we are very rural. No bubble burst. I would not do it if I had to advertise and try to get children. They are already lined up!

__________________
married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 5 and a pineapple who is just about 2 , mommy to 4 ~angel~ babies

Hmm... never heard of VPK, it think it is a Flordia thing.

Any way, make sure you check with your local licensing. If you have 4 extra kids you are sure to need a license. There are many different curriculums you could buy online, if you like or create your own. Do you have any sort of education training? Maybe check with area kindergarden teachers and see what they expect children to know when they come to kindergarden.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

they actually have VPK in Wisconsin, my mom teaches it.

__________________
married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 5 and a pineapple who is just about 2 , mommy to 4 ~angel~ babies

Well that is half the battle!! I would look into all the things you need to do for licensing in your area. It varies so much, I don't want to mislead you with our requirements.

Here is the website from my area. There are sample budgets and information on how to get started.

Maryland Committee for Children

Sounds like a GREAT idea!!!! If i could have done a half day preschool in my childcare i would have loved it.

Here is my advise.......

1) Make sure you have a contract.....In your contract you put all the things you want the parents to know before they start in your care. What your hours will be, what your prices will be, what late fees will be for pick up and pay, what your schedule will be and sick policy ....everything.....I could even e-mail you a copy of mine if you would like.

2) Make sure you are paid a fair amount. Don't go too cheap because you will come to feel unappreciated.

3) Decide if you want to make up your own curriculum or purchase a ready made one off the internet. I like Mother Goose Story Time.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm can't think of anything else right off my head.

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

Jodie I would love a copy of your contract!

__________________
married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 5 and a pineapple who is just about 2 , mommy to 4 ~angel~ babies

I used to work with a family day care.

*Make sure you have a great predictable schedule because that really helps.

*You could look at some homeschool curriculum to use. Like Explode the Code, Handwriting without Tears and Winterpromise or Sonlight.

* Have a really good back up plan in action for if you are sick and need to call out for a day.