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misol 03:52 PM 05-20-2010
Originally Posted by grandmom:
1. Get licensed if your state requires it.
2. Call the local providers and be honest. Ask them if you can visit, see their handbook, and prices. Join the local family child care association.
3. Go to school or training.
4. Start out with monthly payments in advance, payment whether the kid is there or not, paid holidays, etc. (see the issues discussed widely here)
5. Realize that as a new provider, you will likely get calls from parents who jump from provider to provider, chasing the lowest prices, earliest opening, latest closing, etc. Set your standards now for how you want to be treated later.
6. Find something to do in your off hours to balance your life - church, exercise, volunteer, something - so you won't burn out.
7. Never under-estimate the power of an angry parent. Get a bound book to make notes in when you have a touchy conversation.
8. This is a business. Run it like one, with honesty and integrity.
9. Get a degree in family counseling. You are not caring for children. You are helping the entire family, and that often includes counseling, with a few diapers between mom's drop-off, and dad's pick-up.
10. Read adult books. Otherwise your vocabulary will reduce to a 4 year old.
Great advice!
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