If You Could Start Over, What Would You Do Different?

[SunshineMama]

After my maternity leave, I will have a fresh start to revamp my daycare, and re-establish my backbone (no more feeling guilty for being in charge). happyface

If you could start over, or have your ideal set up, how would that look?

What would you do different?

Would you specialize?

What ages would you try to work with?

[Country Kids]

Same ages-Preschoolers

I would have a house that has a room seperate for childcare. I have one now but I would have that, plus a family room. I would want my room so that I could close a door and not see it when I'm off.

I think thats about it!

[Blackcat31]

If you could start over, or have your ideal set up, how would that look?

I LOVE my set up right now. One of the things though I would have done in the beginning (that I now know) is to not have half as many toys as I had.

Kids don't need so many choices and since downsizing and getting rid of atleast 75% of what I HAD, the kids now play much longer, more indepth and much nice now.

What would you do different?

I would definitely invest more money in the basics. More blocks, more plain paper, more art supplies, more manipulatives, more science things.

Less plastic crappy toys, less character themes, less coloring books, less art projects with "specific" outcomes and a whole lot less electronics/tv.

Would you specialize?

I wouldn't necessarily specialize in any type of specific care or specific ages but I definitely focus again more on the basics. Good rest, good energetic play, good healthy foods. I think if those basic needs are fulfilled, REALLY fulfilled, then the rest of the stuff falls into place easily.

What ages would you try to work with?

I used to think I only liked the preschool age but now after doing this for a while, I like taking the under 5 crowd. If I had to do it all over again, I would NEVER EVER, take school age kids. Did I mention NEVER?

Other than that, I would only make sure you set your policies and stick to them. If you look at this like a business deal and enforce your rules and late fees etc from the very get go, it makes it easier in the long run.

If you want to wave your fees in the future I recommend ONLY doing it AFTER you have established a good relationship with a family and ONLY if you know they understand how a one time favor works.

[SunshineMama]

Great ideas! Thank you!

I too have noticed that too many toys and options cause a lot of confusion. Thanks to Silversabre's post the other day about the Melissa and doug sale, I was able to purchase some packages of wooden blocks that I am really excited about! Maybe we can go through the unnecessary toys and make a lesson about donating to those less fortunate.

[MarinaVanessa]

I would:

• Have had a completed and detailed handbook and contract as soon as I opened instead of only having a short contract.
• Not bothered to get all of the electronic toys that I had and just stuck to simple but educational toys that were open ended. What a waste of money.
• Have only put out few toys since the very beginning instead of having everything out.
• Have been firm in all of my policies and been confident in my abilities.
• Researched the toys that I bought and got solid wood, solid plastic (like duplos, legos, little people), toys made for daycare and other stuff that was meant to last.
• Have bought the board book version of stories instead of wasting money on all of the expensive paper page books that have been torn.
• Have spent more time in thrift stores and on CL looking for deals on used toys instead of paying for full price.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have my ideal setup since we bought this house for the purpose of doing what we do.

I would have paid more attention to the red flags and made the wise choice to PASS.

I only accept children ages 3-5 (with 2s on a case by case basis) and love that.

[cheerfuldom]

In addition to the others, decide what works for YOU as far as schedules, availability and payment and then stick to it!

[daycare]

so I have had to do this before, however, I actually forced out a lot of my clients and had to term two families.

This was just over a year ago that I did this.

I was new to the area after a move and was desperate to get new clients in. I did everything wrong that a rookie would make, yet I was not a rookie.

When I started over again, I did the following:

1. Revamped my entire PHB
2. Formatted my interview process to ask all the right questions and became very picky about who I let into my DC.

3.I changed my hours of operation to less hours, before I was woring 14+ hour days

4. I stopped offering special. No special hours, prices or ect.

5. I ENFORCED every one of my rules no matter what. If you don't like my rules, then you are in the wrong place.

6. Offered less structed time and opened up more free choice and play time after nap time.

7. I changed breakfast time so that all children ate at the same time. If you are not here when breakfast is served, you must feed your child before arrival.

8. Contracted hours only

9. Made a commitment to stop working weekends, minus grocery shopping

10. Set a limit of reinvestment, which I did not have before.

11. I changed my trail period to 30 days of care. THIS has really helped, as kids do need longer to adjust and have weeded out some bad kids and kept some that did take a little longer.

I did also commit to creating a website and maintaining it weekly for new clients and existing families.

[allsmiles]

this is an awesome question.. im taking notes

[Scout]

this is an awesome question.. im taking notes