Anyone doing home based daycare???

[*mitch*]

Hi guys...

I am looking into doing homebased daycare...

I would be able to hae 4 under 5s (Including Alexa)...

Just wondering if anyone else dose this & what you have found good, bad, stressful....

I really want to be a SAHM but we just cant afford it... by doing home based daycare I will get to spend more time with our girl & also contribute financially too... plus I wont have to pay for dacare for Alexa & she will get more interaction with other kids aswell...

Any opinions or suggestions appreciated...

[mollycat]

Hi.

I started doing home based day care (family day care) way back in 1995. My eldest was all but 3yo. I tried to go back to work when he was 10mo, lasted 3 weeks - only worked 3 days a week and DH's aunty and cousin babysat for us.

Financially it was necessary, DH had been retrenched, we had moved in with in-laws (spent 18mths there), moved out into rented house and DH was working whatever casual jobs to make ends meet.
Did day care for 18mths until i fell pg with second child (had threatened m/c so quit). Came back when youngest was almost 3yo, we had bought our own house by this stage. Have now been doing day care for over 8 years with a few weeks off here and there.

I really enjoy looking after the little ones, there are some that are a challenge, but you will find that with any line of work. Your little one will enjoy the friendship that comes along with it. It can be very hard work, but very rewarding. I often say that doing family day care is a change in lifestyle.

Find out more information, talk to other carers in your area before you make your decision.

You may also be able to work 3 or 4 or 5 days per week, and still have a day for your daughter (which is so important). Be careful with what hours you decide to work, so you don't burn out. It's easier to add hours then take them away after you start.

Hope this helps

[Lulu]

A GF did this for awhile. She did have to do a bit of work to her house to make it "safe", extra fencing etc, buy gates and stuff.

Do check what changes your council will require in case its too much iykwim?

[*mitch*]

Thanks for your replies guys...

We wouldnt need to do alot to our house to make it "safe" like they need it to be... there arent many at all doing home based daycare as I live out of town... but there are alot like me who work in town & need daycarers...

Gives me a little more to think about too though... thanks ladies

[danniellabella]

I just wanted to post here not because I am doing this but I send my daughter to a family day care provider and I think it's fantastic! I think anyone who can do it is wonderful for opening up their home and caring for other's children. I personally don't think I could do it, but I admire anyone who can so all the best to you!