Just out of curiosity, how long have all of you had a daycare? Also, how have you done this so long without pulling your hair out?! I really want to do this until my youngest goes to school, but that's 4 years from now. I don't think I can do it LOL!

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I've been open about 14 months now. Having a backbone helps a ton. I'm still growing mine.

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That's my problem right there. I have ALWAYS been a people pleaser and it's really affecting my daycare. Since I didn't have a backbone in the beginning, I'm paying for it now! I need to stand my ground before I get totally burned out.

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I started in 2005 so I am starting my 11th year next month. I stay sane by having clear policies and enforcing them, being as efficient as possible with tasks that need to be done throughout the day so I can be done when the day is done and not taking on child related roles outside of childcare hours (like church nursery, weekend babysitting, ect). I am in the middle of expanding into a larger capacity separate space which will help because I won't be living in a childcare anymore. Plus I'll have staff to help with all the stuff that needs to be done on top of caring for children.

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11 years this past winter for me. The first couple of years were the hardest for me because I am also a people pleaser by nature, but I grew a back bone and will speak up when needed now. I also learned how to interview effectively to help me with getting families who are likely to fit well all around. I've only had to terminate care for two families but both left on good terms thankfully. One actually still serves as a reference for me. I also narrowed care to the ages I interact with the best and was so much happier after that change.

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I've had my home daycare for 23 years. I've done well for a few reasons. I've always remembered to put myself and my own family first. I never combine my business with my personal life. I limit my hours to 7-5 - I don't tolerate lateness for any reason. I would not tolerate disrespect from any daycare family, for any reason. Though I will say I've been fortunate in that the families I've had through the years have been gracious and respectful for the most part.

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2 years legally unlicensed and and 2 years licensed. The last year has been great because I have gotten better at sticking up for myself. I now see daycare families as replaceable but my family is not. I work 7-5, make pretty good money and set realistic expectations regarding daycare activities. I will do this at least 4 more years (my baby will be in kinder then) but could go forever

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I've owned my own daycare for 22 1/2 years and before that, worked as a substitute and then co-provider with my sister at her daycare for 4 years. So, I've been in daycare for 26 1/2 years.

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I am a newbie.... launching this summer.

I am a teacher with my credential and I have had an in home tutoring business for several years in addition to teaching, looking forward to this new venture.

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4 years. Right now it is parents who are frustrating me. Working through it...

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Isn't it AMAZING at the child care experience on this forum and in the child care world in general, but on local/state/national levels we are given very little credit for our professional choice!

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As a career since 1996 and for 10 years off and on before that. I'm retiring this year June 10th is my last day. How did I do it? Lots of coffee and vodka!

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It'll be a year in June.

I think making it through my first year (with a pregnancy no less) can really be credited to this forum. I learned the best policies to have right off the bat - did have a few crazies but sticking to my policies and everyone's advice avoided so much drama.

I don't know how long I want to go but I know long term I want to move to ID with my husband so I'll have to start all over there (and probably buy a house first, since it isn't protected like it is here in CA).

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Licensed since June 1, 1980.
36 years in a few weeks!
And still going strong. Always had a policy, since day one. Included a contract as part of the policy book a few years later and then separated the contract (all financial arrangements) a few years after that. Began attaching fees related to contracted hours about 19 years ago as an experiment, since contracted hours with no fees attached didn't work. The experiment was a success - prospective clients don't even question it.

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Lol yes coffee and booze

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10 years and last week I turned in my license. I'm legally unlicensed now with 1 family. Cannot deal with this generation of parents anymore

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I began watching kids in May 1996 and was licensed in Sept of that same year so unofficially, it will be 20 years for me at the end of this month. I think I've been very lucky to have had some really wonderful families throughout the years. I've had a few doozies but most have been respectful and supportive.

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I don't know if I can make it 10, 20, 30 years! I need two things: a backbone and a huge amount of patience daily ha! I look up to you all and I am very thankful for this forum because you all have helped me so much already. (End of June will be a year for me.)

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It's 7 years this week for me! I started daycare when I was unexpectedly laid off during the real estate bust. I was 6 months pregnant and decided I would do home daycare until my baby was old enough for daycare. I loved my home daycare so much! So I said I would do it until she started kindergarten. Well, she's in 1st grade now and I had another little one who will be in kindergarten in about 2 years. I have no plans of stopping, I love my job!!

To keep sane, I separated the daycare from my home area and created the lower level entirely for daycare. Then I became a large daycare and hired an employee. Having someone to work with helps with the loneliness of this job and also helps when you're sharing the work load.

I just kept tweeting what I liked and what I didn't like and I've become more picky with the families I enroll.

Good luck!

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I had 4 years in daycare centres and 6 years in home daycare. I am already burnt out! Lol

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The backbone comes with time. I made lots of mistakes my first few years. Heck, I made mistakes I wish I could change last week.
As long as you enjoy the little things, can appreciate the fact that you get to share in these little ones childhood & shape their lives just a little... then you will do fine.

I'm almost in year 9 now and the last year has honestly been the easiest- in the respect that I've found where my strengths lie, I can forgive myself for mistakes I've made and LIVE by my rules (contract) without feeling guilty.

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My wife has done this for 34years ever since our second son was born. DAycare was too expensive and too hectic with 2kids. Best decision to stay home. Much easier when my kids were older or even moved away. YOu need to set rules and possibly have a back up person to help if you need to go on errand like a Dr visit. Best job for us.

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I have been doing daycare since Sept 2016, if plans go as planned.

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We are going on three years! It has been a long up and down battle that some days makes me want to chuck it all an go back to work. I do however love other days. We inherited the daycare from my husbands parents when they decide to retire. They did it for almost 30 years and watching them really made me want to get into doing it myself. My husband joined in about a year later. We have been a team ever since.

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