Dispelling
the myths about Home Daycare
By:
Cyndi Beauchemin
©
Copyright 2001, All rights reserved
Each
day millions of women search for a home based business that not only meets their
needs, but that of their family. Many of these women overlook Home Daycare as an
option because of the myths regarding this challenging, yet rewarding home based
business.
Myth
#1
: Home
Daycare is Babysitting
For
those who deem offering childcare as merely babysitting, think again. Childcare
is a business, that requires the owner/operator to: set rules and polices;
organize their day; create a business plan; use written contracts,
authorizations and agreements; offer activities, a nurturing environment, meals
and meet the basic needs of the children in their care.
Myth
#2: Operating a Home Daycare takes time away from the Providers
children
Parents
across the United States seek out Part-Time Care, Mother’s Day out
availability, Drop-in Care, etc. The provider needs to choose a schedule and the
services he/she wishes to offer and maintain those hours.
Running
a home daycare offers the owner, not only the ability to focus on his/her own
children full-time, but also offers an invaluable service to other working
parents.
Myth
#3: There are no skills required for operating a Home Daycare
At
a minimum, a Home Daycare Owner/Operator must posses: a love for children,
patience, and the ability to run a business.
In
addition to these skills, each states has requirements that must be met before
licensing and/or registration is granted.
At
a minimum, these invaluable skills include First Aid CPR, Safe Food Handling
Practices, and Child Abuse Prevention, which not only enhance the providers
ability to provide quality childcare, but
also gives guidance and knowledge in rearing their own children.
Myth
#4: Home
Daycare takes too much time
Many
believe that operating a Home Daycare requires the business to be in operation 24/7.
A successful Home Daycare Provider will set specific hours of operation, to
allow time for her family.
Home
Daycare can be a huge time commitment, but by using the proper tools, for
organization, time management and setting specific hours of operation, the
time involved is not much different than with any other home based business.
Myth
#5: Home
Daycare income wouldn't replace existing salary
Many
women feel “stuck” in their current position, when they would prefer to be
at home with their children, for financial reasons.
Use
the following scale as a guide when calculating, how much you are really
contributing to your family’s income, by working outside of the home.
(Or use the
Womans-Work Wage Comparisons
tool. New window will open)
| Gross
monthly income |
$__________ |
| Deduct
the following expenses: |
| Daycare
Expenses |
$__________ |
| Dry
Cleaning |
$__________ |
| Gas |
$__________ |
| Meals |
$__________ |
| Business
Clothing |
$__________ |
| Other
Work Related Expenses |
$__________ |
| Taxes |
$__________ |
| Net
Income |
$__________ |
In
most instances the Net Income can easily be replaced with the income generated
from a Home Daycare Business.
Only
you can determine if the Net Income shown is keeping you from where you want to
be…at home.
Cyndi
Beauchemin is the mother of two and a former Daycare Provider, residing in the
State of Oregon.
In
her efforts, to promote quality childcare, Cyndi created the Daycare Starter Kit
and Recordkeeping System, to assist providers in setting up and running an in
home daycare program. For more information about starting a home daycare, visit www.daycarehotline.com
|
