support and encouragement

[Izzy]

I have been checking this site daily, hoping to chat with other home daycare providers, but there seems to be no activity here. Can someone recommend a chat room or message board about home childcare that is more active? It would be interesting to talk to other providers to find out how you advertise, how you handle parent interviews, as well as exchange ideas on activities and menus for the dc kids. I am returning to home child care after working as a nanny and at daycare centers, so I feel like I am starting out on the ground floor again. Just wondering if there is anybody out there? LOL :p Question today: Do you allow your dc kids to pet and play with your animals? I have two declawed :cat: :cat: but they can bite if they are provoked..... not sure if I should allow them around my dc kids? Any suggestions?

[Diane]

Izzy... go to

http://64.119.167.97/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=5

This is a pretty active board... lots of really nice people. Maybe I'll see you there. :)

Diane...

[Izzy]

Thanks Diane, I registered there! Looks like a great site also! Looking forward to chatting with you and others!

[JAK]

Originally posted by Izzy
I have been checking this site daily, hoping to chat with other home daycare providers, but there seems to be no activity here. Can someone recommend a chat room or message board about home childcare that is more active? It would be interesting to talk to other providers to find out how you advertise, how you handle parent interviews, as well as exchange ideas on activities and menus for the dc kids. I am returning to home child care after working as a nanny and at daycare centers, so I feel like I am starting out on the ground floor again. Just wondering if there is anybody out there? LOL :p Question today: Do you allow your dc kids to pet and play with your animals? I have two declawed :cat: :cat: but they can bite if they are provoked..... not sure if I should allow them around my dc kids? Any suggestions?

I am licensed by the Air Force so I have many more rules and regulations than most have in their homes. I have two cats, both declawed in the front, but they have to be kept away from my dck's at all times. Even if it wasn't a rule, I'd probably keep the cats away from the kids just because you never know what might happen.

I've only been doing home daycare for about a month and a half and so far I really enjoy it. I could do without the isolation of no adults around at times, but it just comes with the job!

Have you opened you home yet? How many children do you care for and how many of your own do you have?

[Izzy]

Jen, I am 'new' again to home daycare, you could say... been working in centers for several years and ready to be home again! Like you said, it can be sort of isolating as far as adult conversation and interaction, however, with places like this board, we can still feel connected to the 'outside'! Right? I wish you luck on your new business, and hope you are starting out 'right' as far as protecting your business as well as your sanity by having a good contract? If you dont have one, my best advice is run dont walk IMMEDIATELY to any good source of provider contracts and get ye one NOW! 8o
Ok, now that you have that taken care of...... let's pour a glass of tea and have a chat, shall we? You asked about my kidlets.... at the moment I am still gathering equipment, installing childproofing, etc, in preparation for keeping infants ( max 3 ). It has been a step of faith, quitting full time at a daycare center, when I won't have an income again for probably at least another month, but I have a very supportive hubby, so I am lucky. I feel confident I will be able to fill my spots as soon as I start to advertise, but keep your fingers crossed for me anyway, ok? What about you? # of dk kids , ages, plus your own?

[JAK]

Believe me I have a contract like you wouldn't believe! LOL That's what happens when you are licensed by the military. Thanks thought for the advice!

Anyway, I have a 6 yr old son and an almost 8 yr old daughter. As far as daycare kids, I have a full time 23 month old boy and a 20 month old boy, 3 days a week. Today I am starting a 3 1/2 yr old girl and 16 mo boy part time. One day a week to start, working up to 2 weeks full time in April, then back to a few days a week.

Do you have any children of your own? Good luck getting all your stuff together.

[sassy mom]

Hi guys! I am kind of new to idea box and I do daycare for the neighborhood kids. mostly before and after school. I have two kids of my own and I was afraid to take any durring the day because I worry about spreading my time too thin with my own kids. Does anyone else feel that way?

[JAK]

Originally posted by sassy mom
Hi guys! I am kind of new to idea box and I do daycare for the neighborhood kids. mostly before and after school. I have two kids of my own and I was afraid to take any durring the day because I worry about spreading my time too thin with my own kids. Does anyone else feel that way?

How old are your own dks? Mine are 6 and 8 (in two days) so they go to school all day. They are only in the house for about 3 hours a day with dck's. Other than that it's just the kids and I.

When my dks were younger I had a full time infant and 2 before and after schoolers. My dks actually loved having the other kids around to play with.