think this idea would work?

[inky leeuhhh]

hi all! i havent posted here in a while, but i have a sort of business related question. lol. in april i will be giving birth to my next baby, and i would really like to stay home with this baby and my dd. however, i need to bring in a bit of income. i have a lot of preschool experience and education, and was thinking of opening a very small in- home preschool program with no more than 4 enrolled kids, plus my 2. the program would be play based (no dittos or drilling letters- i have to do that at my job now and i hate it!) with a gentle, nature based curriculumim. ages 2.5- 6. im just not sure there would be any interest in such a small in-home program. as parents, is this something you all would consider for your child? i would LOVE to do this, but i need to get some input before i really start to consider it, and i thought this board may be a good start.

[oregonmama79]

i've often thought of this very idea myself. i think it would great. there are plenty of parents who would appreciate this kind of care. if i had a 2.5 year old then i'd jump on board. if you're in eugene-we could go into business together i am a special ed teacher turned sahm.

[annettemarie]

Moving to the WAHM Well.

[inky leeuhhh]

ok i wondered if this would work better on another board, but sort of also wanted input from mamas in my area, so i wasnt sure where it should go oregonmama, i love eugene and i wish i could move there. lol. i think WA is "crunchy" enough i could make this work with the right advertising and some patience while i was getting it started.

[_betsy_]

Have you looked into licensing? I wonder what the requirements would be to call it a "preschool" vs. a "daycare."

[inky leeuhhh]

yes im familiar with licensing (somewhat, as i have always worked for a center rather than having my own). in my state, i believe as long as it is a "preschool" program, 4 hours or less per day, with a certain number of children or less, you only need a business license to operate. i have no problem with getting licensed though if need be, i am not a big fan of un-licensed child care :P

[dogmom327]

I think it could work well. I personally would love to find that sort of arrangement for DS both for preschool and for elementary school (sort of a home school without me being the person doing it). Of course then I'd have to figure out how to afford it.

[kokonutmama]

I'd do it if it were affordable... which on my budget means dirt cheap, lol, but I think it has universal enough appeal that you'd find your four little ones in no time.

[janasmama]

I would be into an in-home preschool if it were a bit less than the other preschools and more flexible. Like at the one I take DD to...if you are 5 min. late you get charged $10 and and extra $5 per min. for every minute after that. It's never happened to us and I'm sure it would be for repeat offenders but yowzers!

The reasons I would want it to be less would be because of your sick days if you did have them and/or your children's sick days.

Would my DD be missing preschool sometimes if you were sick? Also, I don't like paying the entire monthly rate when their are holidays that the child doesn't attend, like in December, 2 weeks worth of no school yet we pay for the entire month of a service we aren't receiving.

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by janasmama

I would be into an in-home preschool if it were a bit less than the other preschools and more flexible. Like at the one I take DD to...if you are 5 min. late you get charged $10 and and extra $5 per min. for every minute after that. It's never happened to us and I'm sure it would be for repeat offenders but yowzers!

The reasons I would want it to be less would be because of your sick days if you did have them and/or your children's sick days.

Would my DD be missing preschool sometimes if you were sick? Also, I don't like paying the entire monthly rate when their are holidays that the child doesn't attend, like in December, 2 weeks worth of no school yet we pay for the entire month of a service we aren't receiving.

hm good point about the sick days, id have to figure out how to work that. i would probably just deduct that day from the following bill. the holiday thing is something that most places do, so i never thought about not charging for them. ill have to ask my boss why she charges for holidays (or maybe someone else here can answer). i would never consider charging for anything more than 1-2 days though. i havent heard of anyone being charged for being late to preschool! lol. when parents in my class drop off late, i figure its their own loss- their child is missing out on the class time. the only annoying thing is drop offs during circle time. it is so hard to get 16 kids to sit down for circle time, and then another child shows up and i have to settle everyone down again. LOL. sorry i had this happen today and had to vent

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by kokonutmama

I'd do it if it were affordable... which on my budget means dirt cheap, lol, but I think it has universal enough appeal that you'd find your four little ones in no time.

yep it would be fairly cheap. i am thinking something very home-ish, of course with a class and circle time, but i would really be going for that home feel. im imagining a living room turned into the preschool room with sort of a waldorf inspired look (although there are only certain parts of waldorf im into). you know, sort of that calming natural look. i love to bake, so there would be lots of that, and plenty of outside class time as well. i would basically be providing some curriculum, new experiences, and some social interaction with a nice, family feel to it.

[janasmama]

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh

i havent heard of anyone being charged for being late to preschool! lol. when parents in my class drop off late, i figure its their own loss- their child is missing out on the class time.

Oh no, not dropping off late...picking up late.

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by janasmama

Oh no, not dropping off late...picking up late.

oh yeah, we do have a strict policy about picking up late. of course chances are we would take mercy if it didnt happen often and was only 5 minutes. our policy is a buck a minute. by 6 pm, the closer is tired and ready to get home themself!