Childcare providers' tribe? - Page 31

[JustVanessa]

Hi mamas! Can I joined your thread? I don't have time to read 30 pages. I am in the process of starting a Licensed home daycare in BC, Canada (holy moly, what a process!).

[Aubergine68]

Hi, JustVanessa, and welcome! I joined about 6 pages back (?) and didn't read the whole thread, either.

Congrats on your new dayhome! (or do they call it that in BC?) Where are you in the process of getting started?

I'm with a licensed/accredited agency in Alberta. Was just in a conversation on another board about how the numbers/ages of children permitted in one's home differs so much across Canada and the US.

For example, I can care for 6 children, including my own, under age 12. I can have no more than 2 under age 2 and no more than 3 under age 3.

What is it like in BC for licensed home childcare? How many can you care for and how old can they be?

And how about those of you across the US? What are your limits?

[JustVanessa]

You can have 7 including your own. If one is under 12 months, then you can have a total of 3 under 48 months. If there are no babies, then you can have 4 under 48 months with no more than 2 under 2.
I have a 4 year old and by the time I open ds2 will be one, so my options are pretty open. I think I am just going to start with 2 or 3 kids though.

I am right at the beginning of the process. I just started the home child care course and the licensing officer is doing a first walk through on Wednesday. I qualify through the govt to have my EI extended while I set up the business though, so thats good. I am going to apply for a BC grant (accessable for creating new child care spaces) to get an area in my yard fenced (yard is too big for daycare, can't see them everywhere) and get my kitchen floor replaced. I also qualify for some funding through the CCRR (child care resouce and referral center) for a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and crim checks. whew! Its soooo much work, but worth it because I don't want to leave my bebe.

[Aubergine68]

Originally Posted by JustVanessa

You can have 7 including your own. If one is under 12 months, then you can have a total of 3 under 48 months. If there are no babies, then you can have 4 under 48 months with no more than 2 under 2.
I have a 4 year old and by the time I open ds2 will be one, so my options are pretty open. I think I am just going to start with 2 or 3 kids though.

Sensible to start slow, I think. I started in Feb 2002 and didn't take on a full house until Sept 2002.

I like the numbers you are allowed! Don't really want to have more than 6 children -- I find 5 just about perfect, and then I keep the 6th space open for my ddage10, who is pretty independent. But I wish I had the option to specialize in babies/toddlers, say 4 under 3, no age restriction.

ETA There were no grants available when I started, but we get monthly govt funding (about $350 for me) to "enhance our programs" and subsidize our incomes and keep people in the field.

We paid to fence in our own yard back in the beginning -- which was fine, because it needed to be done for our own kids.

I am not allowed to have kids under school age outside in the yard without me, even though I can see pretty much everything from the kitchen window. I think there are a couple nooks and crannies (like behind the shed) where I wouldn't be able to see children, but we just have those blocked off and that is ok.

It all *is* a lot of work, but so much of it benefits one's own children directly, besides enabling a business that keeps us at home with them. I didn't/don't grudge any of it.

Ok, back to my tax paperwork....

[binspired]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

My Masters and almost-complete-which-counts-for-very-little PhD was in English language and lit. I did some college teaching, but would need an educational credential to teach children/preschool here. So I'm working on it very slowly....

I have a friend who followed a similar path to the one you are contemplating, binspired. She has the art education background, did home child care, then specialized into an arts-intensive waldorf-y homeschool-y one, now is in a different space and offering some specialized art classes. I've posted a link to her site on here before, but here's the link again:

http://www.earthmamaearthchild.com/

She runs a really great program.

(taking books off shelf, blowing dust off them, reading the title...)

Child -size masterpieces

Here is a link I just found to a blog reviewing them.

http://harmonyartmom.blogspot.com/20...ow-to-use.html

I think I'm intimidated by the need to cut out the cards Maybe I should just go to Staples this weekend and use their paper cutter....

Congrats on the "almost-PhD!" I might go on for my PhD in time... after the kids are grown maybe. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by JustVanessa

You can have 7 including your own. If one is under 12 months, then you can have a total of 3 under 48 months. If there are no babies, then you can have 4 under 48 months with no more than 2 under 2.
I have a 4 year old and by the time I open ds2 will be one, so my options are pretty open. I think I am just going to start with 2 or 3 kids though.

I am right at the beginning of the process. I just started the home child care course and the licensing officer is doing a first walk through on Wednesday. I qualify through the govt to have my EI extended while I set up the business though, so thats good. I am going to apply for a BC grant (accessable for creating new child care spaces) to get an area in my yard fenced (yard is too big for daycare, can't see them everywhere) and get my kitchen floor replaced. I also qualify for some funding through the CCRR (child care resouce and referral center) for a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and crim checks. whew! Its soooo much work, but worth it because I don't want to leave my bebe.

JustVanessa - what Staet are you in? I'm in PA and need to start the licensing process but don't know where to start. I also need to fence in my yard. A grant for that would be wonderful!!! But we will probably do it regardless for the sake of my son.

[JustVanessa]

We are in BC Canada.

[Aubergine68]

Originally Posted by binspired

Congrats on the "almost-PhD!" I might go on for my PhD in time... after the kids are grown maybe. .

I might have been more successful if I'd waited..if true congrats were in order, I'd have finished and still be in that world. It just didn't fit in with my family's needs and my needs to be with my family (both my kids and extended family with health needs). Ah well. Never regret the hours with books...

I'm sure I've heard of American providers having access to start-up grants. I think New York State? Definitely worth checking into.

[JustVanessa]

So anyone have a suggestion for a cute name for our daycare?

[Aubergine68]

I picked mine from a favorite children's book that had some meaning to me "Giving Tree Family Daycare" (and that includes the warning about caregiver burnout that to me is implicit in Shel Silverstein's book.)

I think games and toys are also good choices. LIke "Teddy Bear Daycare".

[JustVanessa]

I have "Happy Hippo Family Care" in my mind.

[binspired]

Those are great names! The Giving Tree sounds so warm and caring, and Happy Hippo sounds like such a fun place!

I have had a small business, called "B.Inspired Boutique,"selling my arts and crafts on Etsy. So I will be using "B.Inspired" for the daycare as well. That was it all stays consistent and it is open-ended enough that my daycare business can eventually evolve into an arts center.

[Aubergine68]

I like b.inspired, as I've already said.

Is there a particular happy hippo you have in mind, Vanessa? A toy or puppet or book? I have 2 apple trees in my back yard, hence the giving tree motif for me...

"Happy Hippo" is fun to say. Reminds me of the old marble game too, Hungry Hippo.

I'm hearing a little song in my head "Happy hippo loves to hop! Happy hippo loves to hug!".....

[JustVanessa]

: Anyone want to read my first assignment in my family child care course?

[Aubergine68]

Originally Posted by JustVanessa

: Anyone want to read my first assignment in my family child care course?

I just pm'd you. Or maybe email? Can't remember which, but I did press send.

[onthemove]

I finished the child care course and 1st aid last spring and decided not to get liscenced but I do take in 2 kids during the day as well as my own 2 dd's. I have been doing it about 2.5 years and like it just the way it is.

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

I have removed numerous posts that are not on topic for this thread. This is a thread for childhood providers to share ideas and support. It is not a thread to discuss cases or to cast suspicion apon people.

[JustVanessa]

Well the licensing officer is coming today for a first look through the house. I know the list is going to be a mile long of things that need to be changed.

[Aubergine68]

How did the visit from licensing go?

[Mal85]

Jumping in with a question...

I'm getting started with my in-home childcare in May. I have an infant lined up already. She was just born yesterday! She'll be just over 3 months old when I get started. I am advertising right now that I have three openings for 3-5 y/o range. I intend to follow a daily rhythm with activities for the older children. I would consider this a preschool program.

So, that being said. A friend of mine mentioned me to her SIL, who is looking for a new preschool placement for her 4 y/o daughter. She gave me a call and said she can think of 2 or 3 other parents off the top of her head who would be interested in the same thing. They are unhappy with the preschool their kids are attending right now... for money reasons and a new direction the school is taking. Now, I did not really intend to strictly offer preschool... it's more of a benefit for the children in my care. I told the mom this and said I would have to consider the finances and get back with her.

I'm debating what I should do... As it is right now, I have a flat fee of $125/wk... infants and children alike. I have explained the flat fee as a fee to hold a spot for the child. The parents are not necessarily paying for the time their child is in my care. Rather they are paying for me to hold a spot for their child in my care. Should I charge less if this parent is only going to need me for half the day? How do I clearly explain to her that I am not considering myself a preschool... I am offering her childcare in which her child will receive the benefits of the curriculum and schedule I follow. As parents, would you think it was fair to be paying the same rate as a family whose child is in my care for 8 hrs a day? I had considered having a part time rate of $90/wk. This breaks down to $4.50/hr if her daughter is here 4 hrs a day. Any advice would be welcome! I need to start getting some kids lined up for sure, just want to make sure I'm making the right move financially.

[phathui5]

Should I charge less if this parent is only going to need me for half the day?

I wouldn't do that unless you think you won't be able to fill all of your spots. If you do take these part-time kids, and they're there every day, you won't have room for clients who would be paying more.