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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Those With A Bachelor's Degree In Education...
Beach Baby 09:10 AM 03-02-2012
What made you decide to have a daycare instead of teaching in a school? I'm nearing the completion of my degree and am considering all of my options. There are so many pros to having my own daycare, that it's hard to consider otherwise, but the job security and awesome schedule of a teacher is really tempting as well!
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bice99 09:18 AM 03-02-2012
I have a Masters in Teaching. I taught for 11 years. Once we had our girls, my neighbor watched them. I taught half time after having our 2nd DD. Then my neighbor moved back to Iowa, I went back to FT teaching and we had to find a "real" daycare (our neighbor was just a wonderful mama). After 6 months of that, we decided that I was going to stay home and start a DC. I wanted my girls raised in a home, not a daycare, and that's how I run my daycare. I also love times like this week, when my 7 y/o DD has been home all week with a fever/cold and I don't have to call in a sub, leave plans or anything. I'm right here with her anytime she needs me. Parents love that I have my degree and have a houseful of all of my classroom tubs/scales/games/puzzles/books.
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Blackcat31 09:27 AM 03-02-2012
I already had been in the daycare business for many years before I decided to go back to school. I only went back so I could have the knowledge (not necessarily the degree/license).

I have no plans to teach in the public school system. I like what I do now.
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DBug 09:28 AM 03-02-2012
I have a B. Ed, but didn't get a chance to have my own classroom. We got pregnant with our first, and the deal was always that I would be a SAHM. I did that for about 8 years with a p/t job for a few years in there. Another mom watched my kids during that time. Then DD arrived and I quit working to stay home again, until the bills started piling up . I had to make money somehow, but with 3 kids needing daycare, any job outside of the home (including teaching) would be cost-prohibitive. So ... I opened my daycare.

It all comes down to dollars and cents for me . And of course, I would do just about anything to continue to stay home with my own kids, even if it just means seeing them off to school and being here when they get home.

My parents love that I have an education, and even though I don't have any requirements to do any training (legally unlicensed), I do pick up CARE courses here and there to stay somewhat current.
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bunnyslippers 10:46 AM 03-02-2012
I have a Bachelors in Elementary and a Master's in Sped. I taught for 11 years in a public school system, and ending up running the autism department for the district. I had my first son, and my best friend took care of him for the first 6 months I was back to work after maternity leave. She moved away, and I couldn't stomach the idea of leaving my baby in a daycare. That prompted me to open my own.

My daycare is strictly for teacher's kids, and I am only open when school is open (so I still keep that great teacher schedule). I am only open fromm 7:30-4:00 each day.

There are pros and cons to both. I loved teaching in a public school. The retirement benefit is awesome, and it is fun to work with other teachers in a communityt atmosphere. I also love running my own business, and having my own rules and regulations to follow. I love being home with my two boys during their early years.

The cons to having a daycare are the constant flow of people into my home, the annoying habits of some families, and feeling lonely every now and then. But for me, right now, the pros outweigh the cons.

I am planning to return to teaching as soon as my youngest goes to preschool (1-2 more school years). I like this life for now, but want my old one back later!

Hope that helps!
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beachgrl 11:20 AM 03-02-2012
I got my Bachelor's degree in B-K with the intent to do early intervention but that program became so riddled with red tape that no one was really getting to spend time with the kids, they were so busy documenting eveything for medicaid so I went into teaching when I hadn't even planned to, at least not at the public school level.

I taught ec prek, reg prek, inclusive prek, reg prek again and i loved working with the kids and had a couple great ta's to work with and a cpl not so great. I was switched schools twice, classrooms three times and had to move all my stuff ( I have a lot of my own personal items) and add in the stress/pointless trainings outside of school time, them taking away more and more benefits, not really having job security and axing the prek program in our area and I just felt like I needed to do something else for awhile. I really like working with the prek/k kids and had no guarantee as to what grade or even school I would be in and I didn't like that, thye move teachers around like crazy and most likely I would have been put at a ec prek (love the kids, don't want to deal with the papework and lack of support from that department) anyway even after having to get K-6 certified or "they couldn't guarantee me a job"!

I just had enough my last year and took ed leave, been working on my master's in early childhood since I was already about half way through it which will have given me a little less than a year to see if my business is going to float or not and I have the option to ask for another year of leave but Idk if they will give it to me or not.

I did the pros and cons and the cons to staying waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy outweighted the pros of the schedule. I wish I could get all teachers kids and have the same schedule but I think the benefits of being at home will be the ultimate winner on that one in the end. If I need time off, I can take it as long as I give my families notice and then I don't have to save up $ all year long to make it through the summer months.

I am loving being home and out of the fray of the school system so far, there are people I miss and miss being around other adults some but not enough to torture myself going back...that being said, if you get the right school and right co-workers it can be great!
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Springdaze 11:26 AM 03-02-2012
Im about to get my degree and I think Im going to close. When I went back to school 2 years ago, the first ?? I was asked by a parent was "when you finish, your not going to raise rates, are you?" My kids are just about 6 and 9 so I dont need the daycare anymore. thats not the reason I started, but it helped when I had kids. Now, i have 3 kids going to kindergarten in sept and it seems like a good time to stop. besides the kids i have here right now are going to be the reason I quit! (sorta kidding)
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newtodaycare22 11:30 AM 03-02-2012
I have a Masters in Education and taught kindergarten for 2 years before opening my daycare. The school system drove me crazy for many reasons. For instance, disconnect between curriculum mandates and actually meeting the needs of the kids in your care (a MAJOR problem in so many areas). For me, I was bounced around 3 times in 2 years because of restricting/class sizes. My second year, they took my out of my school a month into the school year and moved me to another place. It was such a hard thing to do but I landed up loving the school. Well, at the end of that year, they were going to move me to another school ( I don't know how I could ever get seniority in a building when they kept doing that!) I decided that was enough of that. I'd teach prek and be my own boss...and thats exactly what I'm doing.
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jojosmommy 12:49 PM 03-02-2012
I got my degree thinking I would work half time in an early childhood family education program after having my kids. I couldn't stand to be away from my son and I decided this was a logical way to provide for my family and stay home.

I still teach for the District now in ECFE, evenings and weekends. Our district doesn't provide insurance to ECFE employees no matter how much they work so it is cost prohibitive to work and pay for daycare and insurance. This way I pay for insurance and NOT daycare and can still stay employed by the district (very PT but seniority still).
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DCBlessings27 01:08 PM 03-02-2012
I have a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. I taught high school for 3 years --one year in an inner city school and the other 2 in a suburb. Kids are NOT the same as they were when I was in school nor do they care, so I quit after I had my daughter. I couldn't stomach the thought of putting her in daycare--even though I had planned to send her to my sis-in-law's daycare. (This was a wise decision though because I've learned that my sis-in-law doesn't care to follow our state's regulations. [Newborns sleep on couches, etc])

With all of the budget cuts, I don't think I'd ever go back to teaching. They aren't giving raises anymore nor as many benefits. The schools in my district can't even afford paper, so the teachers are having to buy it and other supplies. My license is up for teaching at the beginning of 2014, and I don't think I want to take classes to renew. My husband always thinks that daycare is just a phase though--that I'd go back to teaching or working outside the house as soon as my daughter turns 3. She's almost 3, and I'm not planning on going back!

My dcps are happy that I am educated, but I don't think it was the sole reason they placed their children with me. I miss the summers off, but the kids I watch are great! I could do the teacher's schedule daycare, but my husband would have to earn more money for that to happen.
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melissadee45 05:29 AM 03-06-2012
I too have taught high school for 6 years now. I LOVE educating, but I cannot educate students anymore. Between making sure I have the correct paperwork filled out for failing students (who I am required to give a 69 to regardless of whether or not they made up any work and deserve the 23 they originally had for the grading term), ensuring I have the proper posters on my wall (my county cares more about posters than anything else it seems like), gathering artifacts for my evaluations, and dealing with kids who just do not care and are disrespectful (as are their parents. I will say, there is a small handful that are great kids and parents and that helps somewhat), I've had enough. My MIL is opening a daycare soon and I will be moving there. I want to be able to educate and to watch the wonder in children's eyes as they learn new things.
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icaredaycare 05:33 AM 03-06-2012
I graduated and couldn't find a job... I did some research and found out that I could open a daycare in my home. Everything just kinda came together perfectly. I'm a religious person...so I have to give God all the credit for putting my life on track.
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Sunchimes 08:46 AM 03-06-2012
I have a BS in Home Economics Ed and an El Ed endorsement. I taught one year at a reform school (that's what they called them in those days) and 2 in a small rural town. That's it.

In Texas, we had to "teach to the test" and I didn't like it. I always said that if you would give me a class full of kids and leave me alone, I'll give you the top kids in the school at year's end. Miraculously, I got that chance one year and I did it. Then, my funding was cut and they started bossing me around again.

I opened a day care when I had to close down my business and couldn't find a job. I love my kids, but I get pretty bored sometimes. I may have a chance to re-open my business next year, and husband and I have been pondering whether I would do it, if I was offered the chance. He says yes, because of the money. I'd like the financial part, but I'm honestly not sure I could give up my kids. They make me happy and I feel like I'm contributing something good to the world. If I could triple-maybe even double, my dc income, I wouldn't even consider leaving. Unfortunately, that is never going to happen unless we sell our house and get a more modern one.
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Heidi 10:41 AM 03-06-2012
Wow Ladies! I am impressed by how many of you here have bachelors degrees and more!

I have a lot of continuing ed, and 2 years worth of "core" college classes, but I am just working on my associates degree in early childhood.
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Zoe 10:59 AM 03-06-2012
I wanted to be a 3rd grade teacher my whole life. I got the education, started subbing, tried to get a job...nothing. It was hard to get a job at that time and the jobs I did get I really didn't like. The disdain for new teachers by the more experienced teachers was not easy to deal with, the kids had serious behavioral issues, etc. Granted this isn't every school district, just the ones I was working in. I tried several and some were great but those of course weren't hiring.

I went back to school and got my license in special education learning disabilities. Same thing. I just didn't like it. But while I was going back to school I had my own two little ones and watched a friend's baby and I loved it! I found more passion for what I did working with younger kids than I ever did teaching. So that September when I didn't get a full-time job teaching, I started daycare and never looked back. My license actually expires in June of this year and I really don't see the point in renewing it. Love my daycare!!!
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icaredaycare 11:01 AM 03-06-2012
Originally Posted by bbo:
Wow Ladies! I am impressed by how many of you here have bachelors degrees and more!

i'm a guy! lol
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Blackcat31 11:18 AM 03-06-2012
Originally Posted by bbo:
Wow Ladies! I am impressed by how many of you here have bachelors degrees and more!

I have a lot of continuing ed, and 2 years worth of "core" college classes, but I am just working on my associates degree in early childhood.
I am actually considering going back to school.....I'm weird like that I LOVE school and if I could, I would have degrees in several things.

Originally Posted by icaredaycare:
i'm a guy! lol

LOL!!!
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MrsB 11:38 AM 03-06-2012
I went to college straight out of high school and stopped 18 credits shy of graduating. My major was accounting with a double minor in sports medicine and early education. (Yes I didnt have any idea which of the 3 I really wanted to do) I wasn't forced to quit just didnt really see the need to have my degree. I already was moving up the chain as a medical biller/coder and was focused on being a good mommy. So in the last 20 years I have been a daycare provider (in center and in my home) licensed in 4 different states, been a medical biller/coder, and worked as lead accountant in property management company. I was really good at the coding and accounting but I wasn't able to be as involved in my kids as I wanted. Plus I am darn good at this job too! All the jobs I've had, having my degree never really gave me an edge or allowed me to get paid more. I finally started some classes this last year and will FINALLY graduate in April/May.
The reason... partly just to finish what I started. But, mostly so my mom will STOP HOUNDING ME!
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Heidi 12:46 PM 03-06-2012
Originally Posted by icaredaycare:
i'm a guy! lol
sorry dude! I forgot, and your "handle" doesn't give it away!

So, you ladies AND gentlemen are awesome!
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Country Kids 01:13 PM 03-06-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I am actually considering going back to school.....I'm weird like that I LOVE school and if I could, I would have degrees in several things.




LOL!!!
Me too!!! I'm actually thinking of doing something in education because my kids really need their mom and I feel that even though I'm here I'm not really here for them. They are getting very tired of talking over little ones screaming, yelling, talking over them, etc. Also, they have to wait for everything, getting them to appts. is very hard and its getting to much to juggle. I really want to be there for them before its to late and their out of the house!
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Beach Baby 08:08 PM 03-06-2012
You all bring up such great points! The ones who worked in schools and brought up all the negative stuff reminds me why I stopped working in our school district to begin with! My hubby is really pushing for me to teach, but I don't think that's where my heart is. Now, I haven't done any student teaching yet, so maybe I will enjoy it. But I did work as an aide in emotional support in a high school classroom for 5 years and that wasn't something I'd want to do forever. There is a difference in being an aide and being the teacher, though. And a difference between high school and elementary. The schedule is the main thing that really attracts me to teaching vs daycare. Having a more secure income would be nice too. Right now, the plan is for me to graduate, take the Praxis tests, and continue to do daycare until my daughter (19 months) is a little older. Maybe in 2 years or so, I will apply for an internship (so I can student teach and become certified since my current online school does not lead to certification) and take it from there. And who knows what will happen in the next few years...I may change my mind and decide to stick with daycare!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 07:25 PM 04-01-2012
I opened an in-home Preschool. I only accept ages 3-5.

It really stressed me out to be teaching children (in public school) for the sole purpose of passing assessments (littles)/tests (older children).

I became an attendant for a special needs little girl after I graduated because I didn't quite know what to do. I was encouraged to open an in-home Preschool, and we had acquired a teenager and run out of room in our apartment. So, we began looking for a house to purchase. We moved into an adorable little suburb that is quite Desperate Housewives-ish.
All of my students live in the surrounding neighborhoods. They could walk if they wished to.
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bice99 12:07 AM 04-02-2012
LCLC - does your preschool run year-round? What hours do you work? Meals? Rate? This is something I might be very interested in doing. Thanks
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jenn 07:31 AM 04-02-2012
I taught kindergarten for 9 years. I decided to do daycare because I wanted to be home with my daughter. She has some health issues, and I just didn't feel comfortable with having someone else watch her. There are pros and cons. The schedule doesn't bother me, because while teaching the summers were usually spent taking classes and preparing for the next year, not really "time off".
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Kim 07:58 AM 04-02-2012
I have a BSc in ECED and taught first grade for two years before my son was born. Then I was a SAHM mom for a few years until my daughter was born. When she was about a year old, my husband was hit with a pay cut and we needed a second income again. I looked at going back into the classroom but found that there are only a handful of daycares in my school district- none of which I was impressed by or felt comfortable leaving my kids there. My husband suggested I open one in my home and here I am. We converted the downstairs level of our house to the daycare so I feel as if I am going to work and my family's part of the home is just our area. It was the best decision for my family. I am here for both of my kids everyday and I get to choose what children I accept. I have wonderful families and I truly enjoy what I do, minus the diapers LOL. It's much less stressful than being in the public schools so I'm a happier person. I don't make as much money as I was making teaching but when I weigh out the benefits for my own children it is worth it. I do miss the adult interaction and the medical benefits but in my area they have been laying off teachers so my job may not have been secure if I did go back into the public schools after all. My DH misses having the downstairs for our family but since giving up that part of our house pays our entire mortgage each month he doesn't complain. I don't think I would be as happy if we didn't have a separate space though. My kids are 8 and 5 and there are times when they don't want to be part of the daycare. It's nice for them to be able to go upstairs away from it if they need to.
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Mary Poppins 01:55 PM 04-02-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I already had been in the daycare business for many years before I decided to go back to school. I only went back so I could have the knowledge (not necessarily the degree/license).

I have no plans to teach in the public school system. I like what I do now.
This is what I want to do! But I have to help put my kids through college first before I can justify paying for my own.

I want to major in ECE and minor in German. Then I will give commands to the children like "spiel Spielzeug gehen!" and they will know I mean business because I'll have the accent down!
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