What Did You Do Before Daycare?

[coolconfidentme]

People are shocked when I tell them, "I use to be a Quality Assurance Analyst for Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction." I usually follow up with, "I now do little weapons of mass destruction."

Curious..., what did you do before daycare?

[pandamom]

I used to:
-be in the Army
-work security for a government agency
-fast food
-worked at a major online brokerage firm

[melilley]

Wow! What an interesting job you had!
I have worked in restaurants and in warehouses/factories, but that didn't last long! I actually started working in a center when I was 18 and I remember thinking that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life so I went to school for it also.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I was a Realtor. I also used to teach art classes.

[MsLaura529]

I was a substitute teacher on the hunt for a full-time teaching job.

[williams2008]

I worked at a Nephrology Center. I was also a Paraprofessional in a self contained classroom.

[MissMaries]

I was a Digitizing Service Technician.

[Cradle2crayons]

I've been a registered nurse since 1997. I still am and work only the minimum at a local hospital I used to work full time for. I only work enough to keep my license active and I keep up with my ceu hours as well. I've been at that hospital for 12 years. No benefits though lol.

As a nurse, most of my years has been as a pediatric nurse, but I've done everything except psychiatric nursing.

I've also been director of nursing for a few years when I lived in Alabama before I met my husband.

[Brooksie]

I worked in fine dining, and made a heck of a lot more money than I do now! lol

[Patches]

Fast food....that's it

[Clara]

Social Worker @ TN DHS

[Lyss]

I've pretty much always worked with kids, I worked lead teacher positions and as director at centers, taught preschool, and worked with kids in outreach programs. I took a 3 year break and did property management. I sometimes miss it

[BumbleBee]

Food prep for a cafeteria
Server for a catering company
Nanny
Primary caregiver for the elderly
Assistant teacher in 3yo room
Lead teacher in toddler room


Then I bought a house & opened a home daycare :-)

[Willow]

Retail management

[mamac]

Past Employment:

Retail sales
Maintenance employee for state
EMT
Operating Engineer for city and state jobs (would still be doing this if not for the long hours and never seeing my kids)

[preschoolteacher]

In college, I worked at a non-profit that packaged emergency meals for countries suffering from drought, starvation, etc. -- Volunteer groups would come in and I led them through packaging rice, soy, and vitamin mixes that the non-profit would ship overseas, mostly to Africa. I loved that job!

After that, I lived and worked in Guatemala for awhile at a preschool.

I came back here and got a job working with preschoolers and driving the school van.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I have a degree in Anthropology, and specialized in historical archeology. That led to a 15 year career in restaurant management.

[LK5kids]

Parent advocate/early childhood specialist fr a family resource center-

I also taught kindergarten and preschool

[Sunchimes]

I won't mention my last job because if any of my parents were here, they would instantly know who I was because, according to the comptroller,s office, I am the only one in the state with this occupation. However, at one time, I was a certified pork producer, also known as a pig farmer.

[Blackcat31]

I was a teacher/Home Visitor for Head Start.

[daycarediva]

I was a pharmacy technician and insurance specialist.

[MCC]

Immediately before this I was a stay at home mom.
Before we had DD I worked at a daycare.
Before I met my husband I was a flight attendant
Before that I was a children's activity planner at a Disney resort

[sharlan]

I was an associate electrical engineer. I made more there 30 years ago than I do today with daycare.

Before that, secretary for various insurance agencies.

[MyAngels]

Prior to opening my home daycare I was a legal assistant and paralegal.

[CedarCreek]

High school- Retail at the stores on the boardwalk

While going to a technical school- Substitute teacher

For the years following that- Dental assistant (A really freaking good one. I made a lot more money)

[Sereetta]

Elementary Special Education Teacher(NY) and Teacher trainer in West Africa prior to that I was an intensive case manger for adults living with mental illnesses

[MamaBearCanada]

Originally Posted by MsLaura529

I was a substitute teacher on the hunt for a full-time teaching job.

Ditto

[craftymissbeth]

My last job was at the DMV

[Scout]

I ran a retail Hub of 9 drivers and I think 5 trucks that delivered product to our other locations for the past 4 years, prior to that I was an amazing merchandiser for 5 stores at the same company but, they eliminated that position during a buyout. If that was still on the board I wouldn't be here...I freaking loved that job. My days flew by and I saw a lot of people I genuinely liked throughout the company since I traveled to different locations! And as far as retail empoyees we had it made with set mon-fri day schedule, supervisors far away, and ALL major holidays off paid plus mileage for travel.

[coolconfidentme]

We come from many walks of life & ended at the same place. I love it...

[spud912]

Originally Posted by MCC

Immediately before this I was a stay at home mom.
Before we had DD I worked at a daycare.
Before I met my husband I was a flight attendant
Before that I was a children's activity planner at a Disney resort

Now that sounds like a fun job!

[Leanna]

As a teen I worked in a bakery.
In college I was a nanny.
My first job out of college was a toddler teacher. I left that job after one school year to be a teacher supervisor at Head Start. I really wanted to run my own program though so when I was able to buy my house I opened my daycare.

[LoraJenkins]

I worked as a waitress, an exotic dancer (my daycare families have NO CLUE) and at a factory doing line work. Then I got pregnant with my 3rd child and the rest is history

[AllDeezBabies]

I worked in the stock market. I was a accounts research representative for 4 for a stock transfer agent that managed shareholder accounts.

I moved up in the company and became a part of the dividends and distribution department. So the folks that received dividend from their stock, we were the ones that made sure they received them.

Got tired of dealing with customers and working for other folks so went into childcare. It's soooooo much better. I often kick myself in the bottom because I wonder why I haven't done this sooner.

[e.j.]

I worked in customer service in various capacities - complaint rep, development specialist (training) and supervisor. Prior to that, I managed a bookstore and in college, worked in an on-campus day care center.

[jenn]

I taught kindergarten in our public school system.
Also, before doing daycare I had a much cleaner house and less gray hair

[Lianne]

I was a nanny for almost 14 years before opening my home daycare.

[MarinaVanessa]

I either worked office jobs or managment positions in retail but since I was 10 years old I always did babysitting (back when it was ok for a 10yo to babysit lol). During high school I was a nanny when I wasn't working at my family's business (pet supply store) until they sold it. No matter what I tried it always felt like a job but I always did some form of child care on the side which I loved so then I figured that I'd give family child care a whirl (I had the support and mentorship of my then child care provider).

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Daycare centers (2) while in college getting my teaching degree
Office manager #2
Nannying
In home health care to a special needs child (during teaching hiring freeze)

Bought a house with the purpose of turning the downstairs into a preschool and did.

[KDC]

I was Quality Assurance Manager for Defined Benefits (Human Resources Outsourcing) - automating/managing testing for pension calculations. Yea, that was about as fun as it sounds

Funny thing, I HATED math growing up. They had a round of layoffs, and then offered me my same position back, but I took the 7 months of severance and started my own daycare business. With having three small children and being pretty full, I'm sure I ended up ahead money wise. I don't think this is my forever career, but I've enjoyed watching kids (all the kiddo's, not just mine) grow up

[blandino]

My daycare was originally my Mother's, so in high school I worked for her. I also worked at a Mother's Day Out in FL, when I spent summers with my dad. When I graduated I came back to the daycare, and eventually became partners.

[daycarekay]

I worked in retail all throughout high school and college. I graduated with a Bachelors in Education, and taught middle school science for three years. I burned out on that very quickly and moved on to working in a child care center, where I am now. I start classes in January for my Associates degree, which I will use to be a lead teacher until I can buy a house and open my home daycare. I keep telling people that early childhood education is the final frontier in education. I feel like it's the only place left where you are able to truly care for a child holistically. Once they reach kindergarten, it's all about the scores and tests and numbers. At least with early ed, I can be the kind of teacher I dreamed of being my whole life. I just didn't know there would be diapering involved.

[snbauser]

I worked in retail during high school and the first few years after that. For the 7 1/2 years immediately before this I was a systems project manager for a major credit card company.

[Laurel]

Originally Posted by coolconfidentme

People are shocked when I tell them, "I use to be a Quality Assurance Analyst for Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction." I usually follow up with, "I now do little weapons of mass destruction."

Curious..., what did you do before daycare?

Omg, I'm 61 so do you want the whole list?

-Clerk Typist for County Welfare Dept.
-Medical Secretary
-Secretary for Temp. Agency for 2 years (really interesting cause I went to a lot of different companies)
-cashier at Kmart
-Stay at home mom till my children were in school all day (BEST job of my life!)
-Subbed in the public school system as various things such as paraprofessional in special ed classrooms, school secretary at my children's school, librarian, etc. This was after my kids were in school. That way I was home when they were. Also did TONS of volunteer work mostly at the school.
-part time jobs in the school systems
-full time at a Montessori preschool; I worked as a teaching assistant and also ran the before and after daycare there.
-Moved to Florida and worked in the public school system as a paraprofessional again for only a year. Then started doing home daycare and have done it for about 18 years full time.

I think that's all!

Laurel

[Lefse&Kids]

Waitress then various line manufacturing jobs. All of which got me into awesome shape. That's the only thing I miss about them. I looked soooo good in a bikini and could weight lift with the best of them :-D oh and made at least double sometimes triple what I make now.....

and THAT is how I met my husband ;-)

[Hunni Bee]

Breakfast hostess in a hotel

Then I worked at Claire's for a few months...hated retail

Through college I did AmeriCorps...best job ever, even though it wasn't really a job

I've been doing this daycare thing since my sophomore year of college....6 years now.

[mom2many]

I worked at a company in Silicon Valley in Human Resources doing data input among other things, when computers were first becoming available! Geez, things have come a LONG way since then!!! I loved the interaction of people in my job! I could never imagine having a job without people- young or old!

[Childminder]

I started at age 9 babysitting and did all through school becoming licensed at 17. Went to University for ECE, got married, opened daycare in home, taught porcelain art and ceramics for years evenings, then part time at a candle factory as the designer, then part time as a nail tech, then part time a baker, closed the daycare, nannied for 6 years and got a divorce. Then in 2004 opened this daycare in my home and married my best friend and love of my life.

[MotherNature]

The job right before quitting to stay home with my son, which led to daycare?
Chef and nursing student
I've worked in restaurant jobs most of my life. My parents own restaurants and grew up in the biz too.

[Meeko]

Before I got married and moved to the USA, I worked as a civilian for the British Armed Services. My job was overseeing the military base movie theaters. I took care of what movies went where in Western Europe. I also organized the rotation of training videos for the troops.

The best part of my job was the fact that my "office" was in a Georgian era mansion set in acres of gorgeous grounds, complete with a small lake. I looked out of my top floor office window (originally used as servants quarters) at trees and landscaping that were breathe taking. Lunch times were spend wandering around the grounds, over ornate bridges across the lake etc. The home was once owned by British nobility and then by the Guiness family (Book of Guiness World Records) and finally by the government. I loved it!

http://youtu.be/BqbNX6C3XMM This is the village I worked in. I lived in Beaconsfield and worked in Chalfont St. Giles.

Now you know why I get homesick.......

Photo is of driveway to my office building.

[mema]

I spent a good number of years making pizza-started as a lowly hourly high school kid and ended as a 1st assistant manager. Tried a little bit of retail at a couple places-not my style. Ended up a pharmacy tech for about 6 or so years.

[HappyPennie]

I was a cook for an Assisted Living and Nursing home

[canadiancare]

This is what I trained to do...sort of. I studied ECE with a minor in Psychology and Special Needs (Autism). I graduated 23 years ago. Worked in the field for a year and a half until I had my first child then I started doing home daycare. I then did home until my daughter started school, worked as a JK French teacher until my grandfather needed home care and I reopened out of my home. I am ready to stop but people keep having kids.

2015 is my goal.

[CedarCreek]

Originally Posted by Meeko

Before I got married and moved to the USA, I worked as a civilian for the British Armed Services. My job was overseeing the military base movie theaters. I took care of what movies went where in Western Europe. I also organized the rotation of training videos for the troops.

The best part of my job was the fact that my "office" was in a Georgian era mansion set in acres of gorgeous grounds, complete with a small lake. I looked out of my top floor office window (originally used as servants quarters) at trees and landscaping that were breathe taking. Lunch times were spend wandering around the grounds, over ornate bridges across the lake etc. The home was once owned by British nobility and then by the Guiness family (Book of Guiness World Records) and finally by the government. I loved it!

http://youtu.be/BqbNX6C3XMM This is the village I worked in. I lived in Beaconsfield and worked in Chalfont St. Giles.

Now you know why I get homesick.......

Photo is of driveway to my office building.

Uh..i'm in love! My wander lust is itching...

[3amazingkiddos]

Social Worker at the Dept. of Social Services

[Familycare71]

I worked at a daycare but was under 18 so I had to mainly clean, etc... Then I worked at a boutique, a pizza place, a deli (yuck!), and then as a teacher in a daycare center. I also always babysat from 11 on. Then I nannied until my second was born and I opened my daycare. I always thought I'd close when my youngest was in school but really I can't imagine not having my kiddos and not working at home!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Management for 2 higher end retailers.
Visual merchandiser.

[Moppetland]

US Army
Mini-bar attendant (hotel)
Claims Assistant
Media Coordinator (advertising)

[Angelsj]

Originally Posted by Childminder

I started at age 9 babysitting and did all through school becoming licensed at 17. Went to University for ECE, got married, opened daycare in home, taught porcelain art and ceramics for years evenings, then part time at a candle factory as the designer, then part time as a nail tech, then part time a baker, closed the daycare, nannied for 6 years and got a divorce. Then in 2004 opened this daycare in my home and married my best friend and love of my life.

This is the second time I have seen you say that. What state/country allowed you to be licensed to care for children at age 17?

[Former Teacher]

Well I started daycare when I was 17 so I have been in this profession all my adult working life. I started my former center at 17 and left 4 years ago at 35years old! I started out as a part-time worker and worked my way up to a Assistant Director/Preschool teacher.

I am now a nanny for a military family and I will NEVER again work for a daycare. Esp a licensed TX daycare!

[daycare]

-police department, this was in my home county.
-sports and fitness-team usa minor soccer team, asst coach
-bartender in college
- executive director of non profit organizations department of development (this was more of an intern, not really a job..lol)
-Troubled Teen cetner/ D.A.R.E program
-high-fashion, sales rep...I lasted 6 months...I hate sales
-out door education/ summer camp director for boys and grils club
-YMCA sports asst. director
-personal fitness trainer,

GOsh I think I have had a lot of jobs. When I was a single mom I used to work many jobs at a time. I know I am forgetting some, but these are the ones that I did as real jobs so to speak.

[Former Teacher]

Originally Posted by Angelsj

This is the second time I have seen you say that. What state/country allowed you to be licensed to care for children at age 17?

I think Childminder is in UK...not sure but I think so

I started to work in a licensed daycare at 17. Back then rules/laws weren't as strict as they are now. Back then as long as you had a HS diploma you were good to go! You didn't even need training hours or any experience etc.

[missheather]

Still am a full time Government worker Counting down the days until I can open my Family Day Care. Hope to be open 1/1/14!!

[missy]

Cop. Still am, make really good money for a cop in my area. I am just so DONE with shiftwork, it's killing me. I can't wait to be my own boss and set my own hours!

[Michael]

Musician/Singer Songwriter Producer: www.MichaelSeven.com
Producer for Gospel Traxx Syndicated Radio Show staring Walt baby Love: http://waltbabylove.com

[Childminder]

This is the second time I have seen you say that. What state/country allowed you to be licensed to care for children at age 17?

Michigan 1973 - This was licensed to care for state subsidy children in their home. To have children in my home I did not have to be licensed.

[Angelsj]

Originally Posted by Childminder

Michigan 1973 - This was licensed to care for state subsidy children in their home. To have children in my home I did not have to be licensed.

It was much easier in Kansas and Oklahoma back then, even in the early '80s but I am still amazed that you could be licensed for anything before you are even legally able to sign your own contracts. Times have changed.

[tjones34]

Before childcare I was:

Teacher Assistant
Retail Management
Administrative Assistant
Office Manager

[Lkurtyak]

I worked in daycare centers while I went back to school and got my teaching certificate. When I graduated there were no jobs so I worked with special needs students until I bought my house and started this daycare.

[Stepping]

Wow some pretty interesting jobs! I was an elementary school teacher for 12 years. Six years in the UK and six in the US, worked in both the public and private sector. I was a SAHM for a year before realizing I didn't want to go back and set up my daycare instead

[2grls4us]

I most recently worked for state government for 10 yrs. Loved my job and was really hard for me to leave. But me being a SAHM was more important for our family.
I always loved kids and worked for a Home daycare in high school. I worked as a bank teller, worked as waitress, did factory work (where I met my husband) a few other odd jobs here and there.