Daycare owners stories? good and bad?

Question

im opening a very small daycare (15 kids) next year. anyone who owns a daycare please share your stories. actually my daycare is gonna be a preschool only with kids ages 3-5. please share any stories, good or bad. THANKS

Answer 1

normally a facility your size will mean that you will be the primary employee with maybe a part time helper?  either way you will be working long hours.  during the day you'll be with kids and at night you'll be cleaning, grocery shopping, supply shopping, prepping for the next day, etc.

get a good accountant and keep all your receipts.

hire good help that understand the business and the licensing regulations and the need to follow them

stick to your parent agreement.  especially when it comes to payments.  make it the week before services are due so that you have their payment in time.  if they don't pay, they don't stay.  this also gives you operating capitol for the week.  make the agreement fair to them as well as yourself.

be professional.  don't be just a babysitter if you are a preschool.  give quality and you'll get quality clients.

keep up your trainings for yourself and staff.  stress the need to follow all licensing regs, not just the ones you agree with.

take time for yourself.  if you burn out, no one has a provider and you don't have income.

if you have any questions, you can e me privately.

Answer 2

I'm not an owner, but from hearing stories from my friend who owns a daycare, having a small daycare is usually hard because it's easier for a child's parent to conveniently "forget" to pay.

Be careful who you accept. You could be in big trouble if you have a child who is ill and gets other children ill. Make sure that if you're cooking for your children, the kitchen is extremely clean or you'll be shut down by the Health Department.

There's all types of things to consider when starting up a daycare.

Answer 3

i have stories to tell but unfortuanatly i have not remember these as of yet although remembering is important in the not forgetting of stuff.

thankyou and Goodnight!

Answer 4

Congrats!  This can be very rewarding or the opposite.  It all depends on how you handle the business and yourself.  Someone mentioned being "burned out".  You bet...there is a high level of "burn out" in small daycares...especially in one's home.  You have to know yourself and be firm about what you believe and allow.  I see you have made your first step by making the decision only preschool age.  I started out as a multiage child care provider but find that it isn't my "niche".  We are transitioning to preschool.  I'll no longer accept infants/toddlers.   I'm very excited about this change.

Yes, you are the primary person...you will be working longer hours than what it says on paper.  Having a small preschool means that you don't have enough income to higher more than one staff member, nor cleaning people.  You'll be doing the cleaning, grocery shopping, lesson plans, lesson implementation, advertising, secretary, everything. I definately agree with getting a good accountant.  :-)  BE ORGANIZED!!!  Set up a computer program to help you be so.

Remember you are a business owner-a professional.  I think someone mentioned that already too.  Make sure it's clear to your parents that they must follow policies.  I know at first it's easy to just take anyone that walks in your door needing care but be careful doing that.  Make sure there is a good fit.  One horrible family can cause a LOT of stress.  I have a 2 week trial period in which myself or the family can decide whether the "fit" is not right, without penality.  Some kids just can not handle home environement...some just can not handle large groups...maybe some need large groups, some kids can't handle the center, etc.  Every child is difference and success in early education depends on having the right "fit".  

Make sure your policies are thorough...covering every basis and have the parents sign that they have read and agreed to them.  One thing that people like about me is because I'm "flexible".  I am...but underneath it all I have a procedure in place.  If you send home notices or notes in general have them sign and return them and file them.  Document phone calls.  Document families who are late.  I know one center who actually reward parents at the end of the year for on time payments and such.  Just giving them all a little something that showed that it was noticed and appreciated.  Went a long ways with the families!  They had very little turn over in families and would often have all the children in one family come to them for care.  

Someone mentioned payments and I really I haven't had a problem at all with my families during family child care but in centers we had issues all the time.  Be clear about what your payment policies are.  As a smaller childcare I can allow for payments made every two weeks at the end of the "pay period" but some center require it up front and you can do that.  Your preschool income is what pays the preschool bills and supplies.  I give payment options for the parents and I'm willing to work with them a time or two but after that no...they pay or they leave.  Be firm about late fees and DO NOT FEEL BAD about them.  If you allow for 1 family to "get away with it" word is going to get out.  :-)  So don't allow it!

If you are going to teach preschool I'm assuming you have an education to back it up.  :-)  Continue your training.  Seriously...if trainings can't be done on the weekends or after hours...have a training day for you and your staff.  Be sure to "advertise" your training.  It is impressive to many of your families and shows that you really care about teaching their children.

Another little tip:  have a "service" that is different than everyone else in your area.  Teach a different language if you can (sign language is great for a classroom), have in a dance instructor; have a set music time and actually teach about different instruments; etc.  Find something that is your "strong" point or something you are fond of doing and work it toward your benefit by incorporating it into your program.

Lesson plan...stick to them...have meanings behind every activity and put on the parent board where parents can see it.  Many really do not have a clue what goes on in our preschool rooms.  I like have a rationale for the centers so parents understand that yes, play is the child's work...but this is what they are learning.

Take pictures (of course have signed permission).  Parents LOVE pictures and having a "photo album" at the end of the year is always a keepsake. I did something different this last year and I just gave the parents the cd's.  Of course I ask who had computers and who didn't...but now a days this is pretty much a norm.  For those who don't...do a typical album.  But with the CD's they can do what they want with the pics...they can see ALL the pictures of their children and you know what... the parent's eyes are opened!  Wow...I can't believe the respect I got after sending pictures home!  Less time consuming for you too.  On that note...a digital camera is a WONDEFUL investment for preschool.

Getting long. I could go on.  :-)  You can always email if you have specific questions.  Good luck!