Family Daycare Providers In PA, Are You Here?

[melissa ann]

I live in Bucks county, PA and I have been dreaming about opening a family daycare next year. I would like to know/meet anyone who has a family daycare in this area or share their experiences with me. If you are willing to let me visit/observe/tour that would be great. Maybe I can even volunteer sometime. Since there are many standards in PA, such as Keystone Stars. That is why I make this post. Do you have CDA and participate Stars program? Hope to see you all here.

How many children are you interested in taking care of? In Pa. we are allowed up to 3 without being licensed, if you are licensed than you can have 4-6. After that I think it's not called family daycare but I think then you could have up to 12, depending on the size of your childcare space.

Do you want to take CCIS? I did for a short time. I had the family for over a year before they went on CCIS. However, I only did it for 6 months. Too much of a hassle and you have to wait to get paid. And if the PA budget isn't done by June 30, you won't get paid until the budget is finalized.
Subsidy pays so much per day, If you are licensed, they pay more per day. However, it's usually less than what providers charge. In my county, (Lebanon) we are allowed to charge the parents the difference. Ex. CCIS pays $15/day and you charge $25. You will be allowed to charge the parent the $10/day difference over their co-payment. You also don't get paid until a month after service. So for June, you won't get paid from CCIS until around the middle of July

What age of children do you want to watch? I prefer 2-5 yr olds. I did school-age for about 4 months, It was awful. Never again.
What will your hours be?

Get a handbook together with your policies. There is a STICKY in this forum on this. Check it out.

Get a contract, and always STICK to it. You let something slide once, be prepared for the parent to try to let other things slide. (I may get some heat for saying that, some parents will be grateful that you helped them with something and leave it at that. But more often than not, they will take advantage of you)

Will you do field trips? Leave your house/yard. In the summer. my dcp loved that we did picnics, went to the library story/craft hour, neighborhood walks, etc.

Will you do crafts? For younger kids, will you help prepare them for kindergarten?

[Baan Dek Lek]

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How many children are you interested in taking care of? I'll say 3-4 kids at first. I want to have my own child when I'm doing daycare. Right now I work in daycare center. In Pa. we are allowed up to 3 without being licensed, if you are licensed than you can have 4-6. Do you mean babysit at home for 3 kids unrelated? After that I think it's not called family daycare but I think then you could have up to 12, depending on the size of your childcare space.

Do you want to take CCIS? I don't want to take it. I want to be paid ontime. I meant before giving my service. I hope I won't have to. I did for a short time. I had the family for over a year before they went on CCIS. However, I only did it for 6 months. Too much of a hassle and you have to wait to get paid. And if the PA budget isn't done by June 30, you won't get paid until the budget is finalized.
Subsidy pays so much per day, If you are licensed, they pay more per day. However, it's usually less than what providers charge. In my county, (Lebanon) we are allowed to charge the parents the difference. Ex. CCIS pays $15/day and you charge $25. You will be allowed to charge the parent the $10/day difference over their co-payment. You also don't get paid until a month after service. So for June, you won't get paid from CCIS until around the middle of July

What age of children do you want to watch? I prefer 2-5 yr olds. I did school-age for about 4 months, It was awful. Never again.
What will your hours be? I have been working with toddlers for 5 yrs. So I am more confident with this ages plus I should have my first baby too. I think about 1-4 yr olds. I want to open 8am - 5pm but it may have to be adjusted with customers' needs.

Get a handbook together with your policies. There is a STICKY in this forum on this. Check it out.

Get a contract, and always STICK to it. You let something slide once, be prepared for the parent to try to let other things slide. (I may get some heat for saying that, some parents will be grateful that you helped them with something and leave it at that. But more often than not, they will take advantage of you)

Will you do field trips? I would love to but I don't want to drive them. I think it may be more work about insurance and commute, pls suggest. There is a library a mile away. If I walk them, it should take 20-30 mins each way but there are a couple spots that there are no sidewalk. I'm not sure if DPW will be ok. Leave your house/yard. Sure, I will leave my small backyard (I live in townhouse with small yard that will be fit 4-6 kids) that I plan to make a mini playground. There is a big yard and playground in my community that I plan to take kids everyday, weather permited. In the summer. my dcp loved that we did picnics (I plan to do picnics), went to the library story/craft hour,I will do a lot of craft at my house for sure. neighborhood walks (Sure, they will go on walks), etc.

Will you do crafts? For younger kids, will you help prepare them for kindergarten?

I will try to do as much as I can. I'm thinking about having guesses come in to read for them/ parents, my husband, etc since I'm an Asian and have some accent. I want the best for kids.
Do you do mini pool/wadding pool? Are we allowed to do for toddlers 1-2 yr old? My I dea is like water play but in a mini yard pool that kids can sit in there. May be I will fill water in just 5 inches the maximum.

[Baan Dek Lek]

Hi everyone, I finally started!

Hi,
I've just started to have my first client a 6 month baby into my care which will start her first day this week and I have a 4 mos old son. So far I just talked about care/prices/pay, no contract. Did you register yours before you get your first client? I'm just thinking about have 2 clients for now and see how things go before register with state and get more kids. Should I have contract with one or two customers?
Any experiences or warnings to share or suggestions?
Thanks