How can people avoid causing stress for their provider if they don’t know what stresses them out? These pet peeves of home daycare providers may seem obvious to providers but they aren’t to everyone. That’s why I made this list of ten common pet peeves of home daycare providers. Running a daycare in your home […]
How to Run a Home Daycare- Tips for Starting a Daycare
Tips and advice on running a daycare for new childcare providers and people interested in starting an in-home daycare.
What Do Parents Expect From Daycare? A Provider’s Perspective
Choosing child care is a big decision for families. Parents want to know that their child will be safe and cared for, but they are usually looking for more than basic supervision. They want a daycare provider they can trust, a welcoming environment for their child, good communication, and opportunities for their child to play, […]
The Best Toys for Home Daycare: 12 Must-Haves for Starting Out
Starting a home daycare and wondering which toys are actually worth buying? It is easy to spend a lot of money filling shelves with toys that look exciting but rarely get used. After more than 15 years of running a home daycare and over 20 years of working with toddlers and preschoolers, I have found […]
Avoiding Burnout for Daycare Providers
Reducing stress and avoiding burnout for daycare providers is so important! Starting a daycare in your home can be a great opportunity for you to do something you enjoy, be able to stay at home with your children, and have the pride of being your own boss. Even though it’s a great opportunity, working long […]
Tips for Creating a Home Daycare Contract
One of the most important things you can do when starting a home daycare is create a solid contract and policy handbook (or combine them into one document, as I do). Your home daycare contract clearly outlines your rules, policies, and expectations for families, helping you attract clients who are a good fit for your […]
How to Advertise a Home Daycare: 10 Practical Ways to Find Families
If you have an opening in your home daycare, you may be wondering how to advertise your program and connect with families who are looking for care. The most effective approach is usually a mix of clear information, local connections, and steady visibility- not trying every advertising platform at once. After more than 15 years […]
Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Starting a Home Daycare
There are so many things I wish I knew before starting a home daycare! Do you have things you learned or issues you are hoping to avoid? I spend a lot of time scrolling through message boards and connecting with other home daycare providers in order to gain ideas, network, commiserate, and get advice. In these […]
15 Pros and Cons of Starting a Home Daycare
Thinking about starting a home daycare? Running a child care program from your home can be rewarding, flexible, and financially helpful, but it also affects your schedule, your home, and your entire family. Before opening my own program, I focused mostly on the benefits. I would be able to stay home with my child, earn […]
Daycare vs. Babysitter: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between daycare and a babysitter is that daycare usually provides recurring, scheduled care for multiple children, while a babysitter typically provides occasional care for one family, often in the child’s home. Daycare programs also tend to have established hours, routines, policies, and payment arrangements. The difference is not about whether one person […]