Hey Gracie,

I did FDC a few years ago and i only lasted 8 weeks! (also due to home problems, left my ex not long after) Having said that though, i would definately do it again, for a few reasons....

1. when i did it i was living in the mountains and did not have a car (LOL still dont), so i couldnt really take the kids anywhere (even going to the park was a massive expedition, going up 2 steep hills with 5 kids). We were stuck at home and the way my house was set up i didnt have access to my kitchen while the kids were there, made life very hard

2. then you couldnt make your own fee schedule - i believe this has been relaxed now and you are much more "free" to set this yourself.

3. i put too much of an expectation on myself to have an amazing day care place - i let myself take on 5 kids (including my dd) straight away instead of easing into it - one at a time, for a few weeks to settle in i say. And i wouldnt have that many again, and i would certainly restrict my hours.

The beauty of it is you can make it work, very well, if you take it easy and let yourself slide into it.

-If you do it, have one or two simple rules - my only rule was "if you hate something, dont you do it too".
-Get yourself a dishwasher and set a menu - i think it depends on teh council, but you can charge extra for food or the kids can bring their own. If they do, there will be bickering. I made a weekly menu and each of the parents were to bring in certain things for the menu - ensuring no bickering and all kids were getting the same food, while eating cos each other did! Also didnt have to pay for that extra food license. Have ONE eating area.
- Set aside a time each day where the kids MUST rest - you need your sanity too. After lunch each day mine HAD to lay down and watch a movie. It was just they way it was and they all followed. Sometimes the older ones even fell asleep!
- Be a kid yourself and HAVE FUN!!!
- one last thing - who cares if you are still in your jammies when the kids get there - relax (one amin point I didnt follow).

Good luck!