What Is Going On????

[beachgrl]

There are quite a lot of ads here too and many teens and retiree's offering to nanny or babysit. I think their is a market in this area for Nanny;s for higher income families but those same families dont want an in home because they want their precious little one to be the only one which is why they are usually willing to pay more but I have seen several ads for nanny's where the families are giving a low amount for someone to watch their child, clean, and cook for them.

I lowered my rates by $20-40 a week because although there are several providers in the bigger city near me charging $140-180 a week I wasn't able to get many bites at $140 even with a Bachelor's and almost master's degree in early childhood and many years experience, etc. I don't provide meals either because I only had drop ins to start with and it was too much hassle, and if I am going to have to drop my rates that much to compete they can bring their food. I may add the food program eventually but not right now.

I have two full timers, a new part timer, a drop in today that may turn into another pt spot opposite the other pt (yay if so) and another possible ft in the works coming for a visit tomorrow if they show. I have only had a couple kids for a few months now and I would get calls, then nothing, then calls, visits, but no sign ups....now I am very hopeful this week that I may be close to full enrollment and will still have one ft spot open if so! It has taken some time and I have ? myself on some of my policies/rates/the food/etc but they are slowly coming...

[Sugar Magnolia]

I am in a nice area and doggy daycare is 60 a week. ::

[Countrygal]

It's the economy, at least around here. People are travelling 1 1/2 hours to find jobs because they've been laid off for over 2 years.

I can't do that, as I have young gs living with me. I can't be gone 12 hours a day. I was also a SAHM my whole life and really loved it. I did daycare then, too.

This area is absolutely bereft of any job that pays over 8.00 an hour, and almost none that have full time positions with benes. That translates to 64 a day, 55 takehome if you're a single gp like me. And then you have to pay 100 to 150 a week daycare and still don't have any health ins.

It's much easier to stay home and take in daycare yourself! And with me, I just love it.

[littlemissmuffet]

We have a lot of unlicensed, illegal daycares in our areas. They get turned in (for having 12-18 kids without a license. In our state the requirement is +3 needs a license). They get visited, they get a letter, they occasionally get a fine. But no one does anything for real, so they keep going.

My MIL says "so what, as long as the kids are taken care of" that is the prevailing attitude.

Um ok, so do you want people driving without a license? no...

Would you go to an unlicensed restaurant? no....

:confused::confused:

Just because someone is unlicensed, even illegally, doesn't mean they are not fantastic childcare providers. I am legally unlicensed - where I am I can have 8 on my own, 12 with an assistant. However, I only ever operate at 6 maximum.
I would probably operate illegally if I could only have 3 too. I refuse to be licensed.