Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>How Long Have You Had Your Daycare?
Boymom 06:31 PM 05-03-2016
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!
Reply
lovemydaycare0912 06:45 PM 05-03-2016
Originally Posted by Boymom:
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!
I've been open about 14 months now. Having a backbone helps a ton. I'm still growing mine.
Reply
Boymom 06:55 PM 05-03-2016
Originally Posted by lovemydaycare0912:
I've been open about 14 months now. Having a backbone helps a ton. I'm still growing mine.
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.
Reply
heyhun77 07:39 PM 05-03-2016
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.
Reply
KiwiKids 08:02 PM 05-03-2016
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.
Reply
MyAngels 08:29 PM 05-03-2016
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.
Reply
Controlled Chaos 08:56 PM 05-03-2016
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
Reply
permanentvacation 09:10 PM 05-03-2016
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.
Reply
CityGarden 11:11 PM 05-03-2016
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.
Reply
Josiegirl 02:52 AM 05-04-2016
I've been doing childcare for 33 years now. There were years I searched for other jobs or work from home ideas because I just couldn't take the stress anymore, there were years I took a couple months off, but the past 9 years have been the best. I've had great families, live by myself so there are no others in the household that have to be taken into consideration as far as noise, etc.
I found it much harder when our own kids were little because it seemed I was working and in demand almost 24/7 with very little help. It was tough.
Plus they offer better trainings, there is great support available, along with incentives. Yes, the government is poking their noses into too many places and expecting too much but I'd still rather do this than anything else. Well, except win the lottery and retire rich.
Reply
LysesKids 04:22 AM 05-04-2016
I started in December 2000... thanks to help from providers on another almost defunct forum (some of whom I believe visit here), I started out with a contract, but nothing like what I had now... got a backbone early on thanks to my friends and a few totally out of the blue shocks the first year.

I took off a few months here & there when I moved & worked as an on call Nanny during slow times. Started out licensed & became license exempt over the last few years thanks to too much government interference.
Reply
Annalee 04:37 AM 05-04-2016
I have been in the child care field for 32 years......have owned my own Family child Care for 24 years..... For the most part, I have loved it, but lately it has been a challenge
Reply
Second Home 05:17 AM 05-04-2016
March made 13 years for me .
Reply
DaveA 05:25 AM 05-04-2016
11 years this month

Before that 10+ (too early for math to count exact number) in centers
Reply
Play Care 05:27 AM 05-04-2016
Started in 2005, so 11 years. Worked at a preschool in college.
The first few years were tough, as my own kids were little. I wish I had relaxed and enjoyed it more
Thankfully I was blessed with pretty awesome families and kids in the beginning.
Reply
Blackcat31 05:31 AM 05-04-2016
5 years in a Head Start classroom and just shy of 25 yrs of home child care.

The #1 thing that has kept me sane and still in this business is the separation of responsibilities (mine/parents) and physical space (literally).
Reply
laundrymom 05:44 AM 05-04-2016
Fall of 1987 for me.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:48 AM 05-04-2016
4 years. Right now it is parents who are frustrating me. Working through it...
Reply
Annalee 07:04 AM 05-04-2016
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!
Reply
Maggie 07:21 AM 05-04-2016
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!
Reply
NillaWafers 07:58 AM 05-04-2016
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).
Reply
Unregistered 08:11 AM 05-04-2016
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.
Reply
HL0605 09:25 AM 05-04-2016
It will be 8 years next month. I see myself doing this for at least 3 more years until my youngest goes to kindergarten. I'm unsure after that. I may do before and after care only and go back to school during the day.
Reply
Controlled Chaos 09:53 AM 05-04-2016
Originally Posted by Maggie:
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!
Lol yes coffee and booze
Reply
Mariahsaint 09:57 AM 05-04-2016
I will be coming on 11 years in October.
Reply
DanceMom 10:03 AM 05-04-2016
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
Reply
e.j. 12:11 PM 05-04-2016
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.
Reply
Boymom 11:00 AM 05-05-2016
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.)
Reply
sahm1225 06:56 PM 05-14-2016
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!
Reply
Ariana 01:38 AM 05-15-2016
I had 4 years in daycare centres and 6 years in home daycare. I am already burnt out! Lol
Reply
Snowmom 08:06 AM 05-15-2016
Originally Posted by Boymom:
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.)
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.
Reply
Papa 06:39 AM 05-16-2016
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.
Reply
VWMom 07:02 AM 05-16-2016
27 years. 13 days until my retirement. My daughter is taking over the reigns.
Reply
Blackcat31 09:24 AM 05-16-2016
Originally Posted by laundrymom:
Fall of 1987 for me.
IIRC, I am a few years older than you (I'll be 48 this year) so how did you start a child care before you were 18 yrs old?

Or is my old age catching up with me and you are older than me?
Reply
MrsSteinel'sHouse 09:35 AM 05-16-2016
I have been doing home childcare since 1997... 19 years.
Reply
Mike 01:21 PM 05-16-2016
I have been doing daycare since Sept 2016, if plans go as planned.
Reply
Smilevike1 01:18 PM 05-17-2016
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.
Reply
Tags:daycare experiences
Reply Up