When Did You Start Doing Daycare?

[Soccermom]

I was 23 when I started doing daycare and felt like people didn't take me seriously. I also felt a little intimidated by the older DCPS. (Mostly the ones with SA kids) I let people walk all over me because they didn't take me seriously and I lacked self confidence to stand up for myself.
I also felt intimidated by the school age set because I didn't have any experience with that age group yet as my own were still tiny. Tweens in numbers can be scary LOL
10 years later I feel much more confident and the few wrinkles I am starting to get are just adding to my look of experience and wisdom
I feel like parents trust my opinion more because I have maybe been there done that with my own kids so I have more knowledge to offer. I feel that they are beginning to look up to me.

If I could go back I would have had a handbook with my rules laid out and gone over it with each parent before caring for their child. It would have given me a little more confidence I think.

[ABCDaycareMN]

I was 23 when I started doing daycare and felt like people didn't take me seriously. I also felt a little intimidated by the older DCPS. (Mostly the ones with SA kids) I let people walk all over me because they didn't take me seriously and I lacked self confidence to stand up for myself.
I also felt intimidated by the school age set because I didn't have any experience with that age group yet as my own were still tiny. Tweens in numbers can be scary LOL
10 years later I feel much more confident and the few wrinkles I am starting to get are just adding to my look of experience and wisdom
I feel like parents trust my opinion more because I have maybe been there done that with my own kids so I have more knowledge to offer. I feel that they are beginning to look up to me.

If I could go back I would have had a handbook with my rules laid out and gone over it with each parent before caring for their child. It would have given me a little more confidence I think.

I have created a handbook (currently redoing it to a book form with a table of contents...) and I have 2 kids of my own, 5 year old boy and a 1 year old girl . I was a young mother but wouldn't change it for the world. I just made me mature faster imo. All I can hope is that people take me seriously and I can build up a back bone.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I was 23 (I'm 24 now) and I've never had an issue. I'm not sure if it's the way I present myself, the degree I hold, or how my setup is but it has been a nonissue. I look young as well and get mistaken for a high schooler often.

[Meeko]

This past February, I celebrated the 30th anniversary of my 21st birthday.

Been doing this gig since my youngest son was born. He'll be 28 this coming January!

I was young when I started, but it was never a problem. I started out on an Air Force base and all the base providers were about the same age!

[littlemissmuffet]

I've always done childcare, but I started working from home providing childcare in my early twenties... I'm just about 30 now. I have never had anyone even bring up my age. I also have alot of facial/body piercings and I am literally covered neck to feet in tattoos... I have only had 2 interviews where parents didn't sign up (both were teachers and didn't want to pay during the summer to hold the space). Almost all of my families are well-to-do business folks, religious and mainstream... they are all also very kind to me, don't think twice about my appearance or age and usually appreciate all I do for them/their kids. You will be just fine.

[Lucy]

I was 31 and now I'm 49.

[UtahMomma]

I'm 21 and almost have my license. I don't think my DCPs have a clue to my age though.

[Laurel]

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.

I was 44 when I started full time. I did it a few summers only before that so maybe 40. Before that I worked in schools...public schools and a Montessori preschool. I was a SAHM until my youngest started school, worked in schools then so I could be home when they got home from school and off summers. At one point we needed money and so I watched school agers during the summer and later, when we moved out of state, started my own daycare in 1996.

I think you'll be fine. Sometimes I wonder the opposite. I think people will think I'm too old. So far everyone is fine with my age which is 61. Well I don't tell them how old I am. I also look younger than my age and dye my hair. ::

Laurel

[daycarediva]

I was 24 when I started, I have had ONE dcp ask my age in all of my years doing care, it was quite recently, too. I think she asked only because she couldn't reconcile my older looking DD with me. She asked if she was my step daughter? adopted? and when I said no, she said "How old ARE you?" ::

[Leanna]

I was 24 when I first opened but I had a degree and preschool & child care experience. I think parents are looking for quality so as long as you are articulate & have a good program you will attract clients. Also, once you get going & start getting word-of-mouth referrals, no one will care about your age!

[blandino]

I am 25, and while my mother opened the daycare, I am now her partner. I started doing interviews alone when I was 23 - and there was never a problem/question as to my age.

[Starburst]

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.

I am 21 (22 next month) and hope to open with in the next 2 years (after I graduate) and that is one of my fears as well. Also because while I do have expierince working with kids (in a home daycare and sitting, will be doing student teaching at a center in the fall and next spring) and am taking almost every CD class my school offers, I keep fearing that they may want someone who has children of their own. But the mom I babysit for currently says that I am the most mature 21 year old she has ever met (which is saying something if you have seen any reality TV shows about 20 year olds lately).

My old boss started her daycare when she was about 17/18 (around the 1970s) and she said she did have a hard time finding clients and almost begged everyone she knew to let her watch their kids, but then again she started it in a van then out of one of her clients home and offered them free daycare to use their house (again this was along time ago and regulations have changed since). Another reason for that could have been because there was more stay at home moms in that area at that time. She also didn't have her first child until she was 27 but she did build up her business a little and had a few clients when he was born. And now she has been in business over 35 years and charges one of the highest rates in town and always has a waiting list.

[kelsey's kids]

I was ninteen when I got my licence. I am 21 now. I have only had one person say no because of my age. Nobody else even asks.

[Starburst]

I was 23 (I'm 24 now) and I've never had an issue. I'm not sure if it's the way I present myself, the degree I hold, or how my setup is but it has been a nonissue. I look young as well and get mistaken for a high schooler often.

Lol one time last year (age 20) I went to an elementary school to pick up a girl that I regularly babysat (she was 9 years old and a 1/2 inch taller than me) and as we were headed towards the car one of the teachers comes up behind us and says "Girls, you need to wait for your parents over there". I just turned around and said "Um... I'm her babysitter...."

BTW, the school is K-8 so apparently I look no older than 14 years old. The funny thing is when I was 14, everyone thought I was a junior or a senior. I must have Benjamin Button syndrome.

[Lyss]

I've worked with kids since I was 16 and done in home since 27 (30 now) I don't think my age played a role. All my parents thought I was much younger than I actually am so I guess I look younger ::

I've never had anyone ask my age in an interview, usually down the line it some how comes up but its never an issue.

My parents picked me because of my program, education, and experience