When Did You Start Doing Daycare?

[ABCDaycareMN]

If you don't mind me asking what age you were when you started up your daycare... I'm 25. I'm afraid I won't get many serious clients because of my age.

Suppose to read DOING in the title. I don't know how to change it.

[EchoMom]

I'm 28, started at 27. No problem at all. And I look very young.

[SilverSabre25]

I'm 27, started at 25, and I don't think my age is a factor ever

[ABCDaycareMN]

The site was glitchy when I wrote this.

[crazydaycarelady]

I started at 21yo. Looking back I have NO IDEA why anyone brought their kid to me. My only experience was I had my own 1yo son. NOW I realize how much experience adds to the situation.

[ABCDaycareMN]

NOW I realize how much experience adds to the situation.

Not sure I understand what you mean here.

[SunshineMama]

If you don't mind me asking what age you were when you started up your daycare... I'm 25. I'm afraid I won't get many serious clients because of my age.

Suppose to read DOING in the title. I don't know how to change it.

28- And I look young too. As long as you have a plan, a great handbook and contract, and can sell yourself, you wont have a problem getting clients. Sometimes I would advertise young, energetic provider...

When you are younger you have fresh ideas and lots of energy. Play up your strengths!

[KEG123]

I'm 25 right now and I've been open for going on 2 years.

[juliebug]

I was 25 but had experience and a degree.

[Willow]

I started licensed care at 26, I am 31 now.

Age doesn't matter near as much as experience does imo. At that point I had already been a nanny, an elementary school aide, a mother of two, an unlicensed daycare provider and done licensed foster care for many others.

My house was set up well for daycare, I was college educated, I had a good standing reputation in my community and I was professional.

No one thought twice about leaving their kids with me or questioning my age.

[mom2many]

I started when I was 25 & have been doing daycare in my home for 26 years. I had just had my first baby and he was only 6 weeks old. My age never affected me getting clients. I had babysat a lot in high school and loved kids and no one seemed to mind that I was a young mom myself & I got all of my clients through word of mouth.

[Childminder]

I was 17 when I first was licensed but had been watching children for eight years already. Over the years I have experienced many highs and lows with enrollment but this recession has been the worst by far.

Some people like the "energy" that youth brings and some people want the experience that a mature provider can give. Just hang in there it can take a while. When I opened in this location I was about to give up after 9 months with just a few part timers. I finally spoke to God and asked for a sign that I should continue and within 2 weeks I was full. Btw, I am not a particularly religious person.

[Binkybobo]

This is my scond time doing home daycare. My first go around was when I was 22. I got clients, but my clients didn't disrespect me becuase I was young, it was because I was too afraid to give them a handbook, and correct them when they ran over me. This time I am still young(26), buti have had a few years to work out in the world around business minded people. I am having a much better experience. You have to first take yourself seriously. All of my clients are older than me, and they know it, but I handle myself in a professional manner. My rules are clear. I give them parenting advice as if they were much younger than me. Man IS what he THINKS he is...In my case woman. Just be mindful of the message you are sending out about yourself. If you build it they wil come....

[dave4him]

The Good Lord says never let anyone look down on you because of your age. You are able if you trust Him.

I am 31, started doing daycare last January so i was 30. Not to bad, this isnt a lifelong job for me. Hopefully ill be a school teacher soon.

[ABCDaycareMN]

I do believe I have found what it is that I am suppose to do in my life. Throughout high school and college I never landed on something I truly enjoyed. I am so grateful my husband has let me stay home these past 3 years and raise our kids. I have taken in a couple families this past summer and truly enjoyed what I did. At that time I decided I would go and get licensed. In the future I would like to finish my degree in early childhood education. I can't wait to move so I can get a bigger home for my family and my business in daycare.