Having Doubts

[Nickel]

So ive been rearranging my home making improvements and filling out the forms to open my hdc. I bought toys and furniture and im adding a second fence to my yard. But im getting very nervous... What if i cant find kids? What if my rates are too high? What if i spend all this money and dont find anyone? Im so super nervous. A part of me wants to start advertising now to see if there would be any interest, but thw housr isnt ready i need time to build the fence, my application and background check arent ready yet. I dont have my website or contract or anything yet. But im scared! How do i find out if my rates are fair? How do i find kids? What if i dont find kids? Did any of you feel this eay while preparing to open your hdc?
Thanks

[Truly Scrumptious]

Yep....felt anxious just like you're feeling now. It helps to have someone to talk to that's "been there, done that". Do you have a friend in your area that does child care?

[Blackcat31]

So ive been rearranging my home making improvements and filling out the forms to open my hdc. I bought toys and furniture and im adding a second fence to my yard. But im getting very nervous... What if i cant find kids? What if my rates are too high? What if i spend all this money and dont find anyone? Im so super nervous. A part of me wants to start advertising now to see if there would be any interest, but thw housr isnt ready i need time to build the fence, my application and background check arent ready yet. I dont have my website or contract or anything yet. But im scared! How do i find out if my rates are fair? How do i find kids? What if i dont find kids? Did any of you feel this eay while preparing to open your hdc?
Thanks

I think it is normal to feel like you do and I am sure we have all felt that way at one time or another. Daycare is a constantly changing business and even veteran providers have times where their attendance may be low, or they are experincing a big change in attendance/enrollment and or douts about what and how they are doing things.

Basically, once you get comfortable doing things, then things will change again so you have to adapt and go with the flow of this business. Kids age and grow and leave your care and then a whole new set of kids come in anad you get comfy only to have it happen all over again as those kids age and out grow your program...kwim?

Your community needs also play a big role in your job security but even the community needs are changing all the time so honestly, there really is no time in this business that you can sit back and feel complete job security. Even kids you may have had forever can suddenly have something happen or their family's needs can change in a heartbeat and they will no longer need you.

Just take it one day at a time and cover all your bases and you will be fine.

Truly Scrumptious is right, it really helps to be able to talk to someone who has been there and done it and if there is no one in your community to lean on, there is always the forum!

Members here range from newbies to lifetime veterans so there is alwasy going to be someone here who has been where you are. Hang in there and just keep plugging away at what you need to do and soon you will be up and running at full capacity!

[Nickel]

I do know someone actually. Shes out of town right now but will hopefully be back on monday. Im going to see if we can get together for.a bit. Im just scated ill spend all thos.money and be broke and not be ablr to.replacr it... Its good to hear that others have als felt.this wwy

[Truly Scrumptious]

Blackcat is right on!
As far as the money you are spending on toys, I would check with some of the more experienced providers to make sure I was getting developmentally appropriate materials. I know when I first started I had soooo many of what I call "froo froo" toys and books. When I met my mentor I had to chunk a lot of what I had bought and purchase better learning "toys". But, I didn't know what to get. She helped me get some things and thankfully she knew how to make a lot of homemade items, so I didn't go broke!

I have tons of stuff that I would be glad to share with you. Anytime I can get a good deal on something I buy it because there's always a provider who may need it.
I will box it up and send it to you...just say the word.

[Nickel]

I am thankful that I can come here and vent. . I already feel a little better. Thank you for the instight Blackcat. I know there is lots of wisdom on this board, That's why I stick around ... I love reading all about what others have tried and I have already learned so much I would have never thought about on my own before.

I know right now there is a need for infant care. i guess that's true almost everywhere. But I'm really trying to stear clear of infants. Not that I don't like babies, I do, but I was hoping for more of a preschool environment. But then I think, who I am to teach home preschool? I have no edcucation in that area except for the books I read and research I've done. But no formal education on what I'm suppose to do. and I can't afford to buy any of the curriculums that are out there! Wow they are expensive!!!

So I was sort of thinking of doing toddler/preschool and maybe taking one infant if it was a sibling, or that was all that was available. I guess I'm just nervous because the last time I did daycare was... back in 2007 and I worked in the infant 2 room with 12-18 months. But my daughter is turning three and I'd like a small group of four (total) all the same age. And I'm afraid I'm being too picky kwim?

TrulyScrumptious

So much to think about when buying toys!!! .. I have looked over some of the minimum requirements for my state, eventhough I'm only going to be listed, atleast at first. The rules really aren't all that... um... informative. . They are very basic indeed.

In any case, I'm bldging a fence in my back yard (inside my excisting fence) so the children have a nice clean area to play in every day. Yes, I'm going to scoop poop daily but it'd be nice to keeep the dogs away from the toys and prevent them from eliminating in the kids area....

I also got 2 little tykes coups, a play kitchen, wooden puzzles with the holder, a portable high chair booster seat thing, a big bookshelf to move MY books and movies onto and out of the living room, a tv/microwave cart to use as my art center, a kid size table, a portable swing (just in case and it was so darn cute and matched the bouncer I already have and we MAY have one more and it was way to cute and cheap to pass up. )

Oh, and I made two art holders out of yard sticks and clothes pins. I also bought a shelft I'm going to add hooks to for jackets. I moved my dogs away from the front of the house and put them into this area that was a closet but as big as a small room, and then built shelves in the garage to hold all of the clothes I moved out of that room/closet. I also have an old mirror and hook thing I'm going to use for a dramatic play area and I want to build those rain gutter shelves I've seen and I think I can do it for less than $20 if I can get the guy at the improvement store cut the gutters to size.

Other than that, I still want to get a changing table, i have a play mat if I do get an infant, and I have shape sorter toys, just bought a train track at the thrift store for dirt cheap, and have babies and little people toys from my own daughter. I'd still like to get some nonfiction books, early reader books and blocks. I have to replenish my art supplies and also would like to get some of those peg boards and bead things... So, I'm not sure if that's all I need, but everything I bought with the exception of my little table I bought used. And and I got those puzzle mat things too, all used, three sets.

Wooh!!! I still need outdoor toys and would like a little slide or something like that. And I have all the balls and stuff. I went to look at a little basketball hoop thing, but it was really dirty and gross and smelled like cat pee, so I passed on that one. Yuck, I still gag just thinking about it. SOOOOO.... Can you recommend some other things I might need for children ages 2-4? Please?

I want to get an assortment of toddler plates and cups and stuff, just so I have ones that are strictly for daycare. This way I avoid my own daughter getting upset if I give someone else her strawberry shortcake plate or elmo bowl. I'm not really into the leapfrog electronic flash and talk toys. I think it can over stimulate kids. I try to focus more on imaginative play, which is why I really like the play kitchen, doll house, babies, and dramatic play areas. The little people toys do talk and stuff, but it's pretty minimal kwim?

sigh. I didn't really get anything that my own children won't use, except for the baby swing (and I hope I DO get to use it in the next year or two )... So I'm trying to play it safe. But I go purchase the fence supplies monday and I'm using a credit card. And i'm nervous that I won't be able to pay that money back. And I really want to order some wooden blocks but WOW!!! Do you have suggestions for other things I might need? I already have tons of play doh and I wanted to get a sand box too, those turtle things. Is that better than a sensory table? Or should I skip the turtle for a much more expensive scensory table (which I could have gotten for cheap at the beginning of summer and now they don't have them anymore )

See.... I feel a bit overwhelmed. And I can't even think of a name for myself and at this point it's going to end up being Nickel's home Preschool, or Nickel's childcare home or something. But I need to figure it out today and create a website because I want to mail off my paperwork tomorrow with my fee so I can get my permit number. I have no idea how long it takes for them to do the background check. But I'm going to start advertising Aug first either way. Or maybe I shoudl wait???

So many questions and I feel like time is going so fast. Today I'm moving redoing my daughters room so we can set that up as a quiet area for dramatic play, reading, circle time, and nap time. It also has the bathroom there so I wanted to put the changing table in there as well.. Wow, I know this is long. Sorry didn't mean to write a book LOL...

If you made it his far, I hope you'll offer some advice

[Hunni Bee]

Im feeling the same way.

[Truly Scrumptious]

I think the name you've chosen is fine...and who says you can't teach preschool? You don't have to purchase pricey curriculums, I have one of my own that my support group shares and I'm sure others on here could do the same.
Sounds like you've made great purchases for materials so far.
Here is a list we are required to have in my state:
Dramatic Play: Play food and dishes (including something multicultural and something that teaches math ie...measuring cups or spoons...play props-like cameras, play phones, binoculars, play irons...puppets, dress up clothes and shoes-with lots of different choices for role playing....dolls and soft animals, child size furnishings-doll strollers, high chairs, little table and chairs etc...
Musical Instruments and Dance Ribbons
Block Area: 2 Sets of Blocks, Transportation toys, people, play animals, play tools
Manipulative Area: Stacking rings, puzzles, push beads, links and gears, pipe builders (you can make these cheap from plumbing pipe), giant legos, shape sorter, stacking cups, lacing beads and cards, pop beads, waffle blocks, bristle blocks, mr. potato head set, table blocks.
Science Area: Magnifying glasses, magnets, nature collections-rocks, pine cones, sea shells, etc...nature books and cards, tweezers, items for learning about 5 Senses-texture items, listening items, smelling items (I use old glitter containers, put a scent on a cotton ball (like vanilla) and put inside and glue the lid on).
Book Area: Just books in general, but we have to have books that show- ages and abilities, race, historical figures, and men and women in non-traditional roles.
That's all I can think of right now....whewww....I'm tired!

[Lil_Angels]

I've read some of your other posts Nickel. I think you're doing a great job preparing.

Good Luck. Also, I don't think its bad to judge the market by putting a listing in Craigslist to see what happens.

[renodeb]

OMG, I can so relate to all of these things. I had these same doubts. Do you need help with putting your contract together? I could send you mine so you could have it as a sample. One thing I have done in the past is offer to meet or beat what the parent was paying there old dc if they are coming from another dc. Try and find something that you will offer to your dc clients that others dont. There are lots and lots of advertising methods and ideas on the internet. Things like always having a stack of business cards with me, always finding a way to mention what I do for a living, advertising on craigs list (its free), there are also lots of free sites where you can list your dc.
Try not to worry to much and concentrate on getting stuff done. You will be fine. Try and really act confident when you do start interviewing. The kids will come. Hang in there.
Debbie

[Nickel]

Truly Scrumptious

Thanks for the list. It looks like I still need sooooo much stuff! LOL. I am def lacking with the blocks, senses manipulatives, and science area. I think I have the majority of the other stuff. Although there is still things in each are that I'd like to add as time goes on. And I do have a little piano and a guitar for the music area, but I would like to add some more instraments to that as well. I will def be keeping this list close. The manual I looked at did not list specifics, which amazes me! Thanks again!!!

I've read some of your other posts Nickel. I think you're doing a great job preparing.

Good Luck. Also, I don't think its bad to judge the market by putting a listing in Craigslist to see what happens.

Thank you! It is so awesome to have such wonderful support. I am getting tears in my eyes because you all have been so good to me! Thank you for the encouragement. It makes me feel like I'm at least doing something right!

OMG, I can so relate to all of these things. I had these same doubts. Do you need help with putting your contract together? I could send you mine so you could have it as a sample. One thing I have done in the past is offer to meet or beat what the parent was paying there old dc if they are coming from another dc. Try and find something that you will offer to your dc clients that others dont. There are lots and lots of advertising methods and ideas on the internet. Things like always having a stack of business cards with me, always finding a way to mention what I do for a living, advertising on craigs list (its free), there are also lots of free sites where you can list your dc.
Try not to worry to much and concentrate on getting stuff done. You will be fine. Try and really act confident when you do start interviewing. The kids will come. Hang in there.
Debbie

I do need some help with a contract! Thank you for the offer. I am slowly going through the website sticky, but it's slow going and my pc got a virus. So of course, my husband is getting on me about what sites I visit and items I'm downloading! But if you could send me something I would appreciate it! I was going to list my dc one craigslist, google maps, dyfs, and... ??? I will have to research that aspect. I haven't gotten that far yet

I was trying to focus on choosing a name so I can create a website so I can complete the paperwork and mail it tomorrow when I go order the materials to build my fence so I can have a clean safe outside play area for the children. In the mean time i got caught up in cleaning my house and shampooed the carpets and set up the guest room for my mother in law who isn't coming until nov!!! I really got side tracked today!!! But my house is mostly done, I just have two more rooms to get organized before tackling the garage!!! I guess I'll be creating my website tonight. I guess I should actually be doing that now!!!

Oh, one more question for those that have a website. do you create your site for parents to find it when they do a search, or just to add to your business cards, advertisements so they can find out more about you? If its the former, then I'm probably going to pay for a .com but if it's the latter, then I'll just use webs or weebly.

Thanks again to everyone. I so appreciate it the kind words. It can all get so overwhelming. I'm trying to break it down into little pieces to make it more manageable but it's still scary! But it is soooo nice to see that others have felt the same way I have and they are doing fine! Thank you again happyface

[Nickel]

Oh... and can you give me the name of the program or curriculum you use? Or the website? Or is it a program that you put together yourself? I'm curious to know, if you don't mind. thanks!

[Truly Scrumptious]

Oh... and can you give me the name of the program or curriculum you use? Or the website? Or is it a program that you put together yourself? I'm curious to know, if you don't mind. thanks!

I sent you the curriculum that I use to your e-mail. Also, I meant to tell you to check out 123learncurriculum.com