Pre-School/Day Care Owner vs. Public School Teacher?

Question

I'm 24 years old. I'll be graduating from college in May. I can't decide what I want to do for a career. Currently, I am a teacher's aide in a public school. I love my job and I work in a Kindergarten class.

However, if I wanted to become a certified teacher, I will need to go back to grad school. That will take me two years.

I've considered opening my own daycare/pre-school.

What are the pros and cons of both professions? Is it difficult to open and run your own daycare?

What is the average income of a daycare owner? What are the hours of operation?

Answer 1

Here are my biggest concerns for you.  

1)  Start up costs to meet licensing and payroll demands.

2)  Meeting educational requirements for your state.

3) Handling the human resources/ staffing issues in a legal way.

4.) Insurance costs are a bear for daycare!

Answer 2

If you become a daycare teacher, you're going to need startup costs. Money is not guaranteed, because you could have no students. The income of the daycare owner can vary alot. If there is only one kid, you will make very little every year. However, if you have a big practice, you could stand to make a fair amount of money.

The amount of money that you make will also depend on what kind of neighborhood you're in. Rich-you're rich. Poor-you need to have lower costs which equals a lower salary.

Being a teacher, you will have a steady income. However, you may lose alot of the creativity of being a daycare teacher due to No Child Left Behind and other standards. However you could still be creative, and use alot of music, reading or craft projects in the classroom. You will still be able to bring your own passions into your teaching.

Answer 3

I have worked in elementary school, preschool, and child care.  

PROs to working in Elementary school -

Better pay scale

Less care giving activities

Summers off

More respect

CONs -

You have to push children to meet a standard academic level at every grade even if it is emotionally difficult for the child.

You have to meet the standards of teaching set forth by the administration, whether public or private school.

Frustration, exhaustion.

PRo to Daycare

You would be your own boss.

There is no greater joy in the world than knowing you helped raise children who have been in your care for up to five years.

You can be more creative in your teaching as the goals are not purely about academic development.

Cons to Daycare

Exhaustion, Grind.

Having to clean children (diapers, soiled clothing, faces, hands)

Having to clean toys

Having to clean furniture

I bet it would be hard to start your own daycare, but there is always a need. Hours of operation for daycare can be anything from 6am-6pm, 24 hour, or 9-5. And, that's just for the kids. Your hours would be longer than that.

Now I am tired considering all this. Phew. Good luck to you!