Anyone Do Overnight Care?

[snips&snails]

Just curious if anyone does overnight care? Do you do it exclusively? A friend in the field had mentioned there is a high demand locally - we have a lot of casinos & hospitals that employee a high percentage of the people.
I am just toying with the idea at this point - I could see how it would be horrible on difficult nights but once the children are comfortable it seems it would be pretty simple!

[LK5kids]

I did years ago....different state. Now my state regs. does not allow double shifts. One provider can not do more than 12. Hours.

I had really easy kids when I did it before. Once I had an 18 mo. Old and a sibling that was 3 yrs. Mom was a single mom and was a nurse. She worked 11 pm to 7am.

Another time I had two sweet girls...2 & 3 yrs. Another single mom. A waitress that worked 3 pm to 10 pm

Worked fine.for me.

[LoraJenkins]

I do. I average 2 overnighters a week. The rate is double my day time rate and the DCKs love having "sleepovers". Plus since I put them to bed no later than 9 pm it really isn't bad. Mind you I have had the same DCKs since they were infants and their parents and I have a great working relationship.

[Starburst]

I thought about it too but then when you really think indepth about it...

In my 'Introduction into Careers with Children" class we studied Title 22 and my teacher said that in order to offer 24 hour care in California you will not only need a family child care license but also a family foster care certificate/license as well. I do not know if you need a family foster care license if you only do night care.

But keep in mind that those who provide care for 24/7 are more likely to burn out because they do not have an personal family time and I have read some things on her about provider's whose husbands grew up in 24/7 cares and their husbands wound up regretting their mother's who did this. And your spouse and children (if you have them) will be at school during the day for 8 hours with a large group of kids; then they come home and have kids there and they never have you to themselves.

And I would imagine the children who are always in nightcare would have lots of behavioral issues because they are in school for 8 hours than they come to your house and their parents are never there to kiss them to night. It seems like they would never see their parents. Most kids are in daycare for about 10 hours a day and kids who are there longer tend to have the most issues because they are tired and cannot relax because it is not their home and they miss their family.

[coolconfidentme]

Yes, I do. Mon-Fri, 1st, 2nd & 3rd shirt. I charge the same fee, whatever the shift. Kids are in bed my 7:45pm..., easy money if you ask me.

[snips&snails]

Thanks - if I did it I doubt I would offer regular daytime care....wondering if it might actually be easier on my son since he would still have most of the day without other children.

So what sort of sleeping arrangements do you use? "Real" beds, cots, nap mats?

[snips&snails]

In my 'Introduction into Careers with Children" class we studied Title 22 and my teacher said that in order to offer 24 hour care in California you will not only need a family child care license but also a family foster care certificate/license as well. I do not know if you need a family foster care license if you only do night care.

That's something I had never heard - I know some people do offer overnights locally with a regular license & the referral agency didn't seem to have any concerns about overnight care. I wonder if they meant there is a cap on how many hours each child can spend in care per day???

[LoraJenkins]

I agree with the burn out issue with 24/7 care. I provided 24/7 for 2 years ant decided to stop any weekend care this year. I was tired and it was effecting my marriage. If you do decide to offer overnight care I would suggest only Mon-Thurs. You DO need down time.

[Lianne]

I used to do it on a regular, contracted basis but no longer do. I now do occasional overnight care but non contracted. If parents need a night away then they pay me for the night, outside our daycare agreement. I do over night care for people who aren't clients, too.

[coolconfidentme]

Thanks - if I did it I doubt I would offer regular daytime care....wondering if it might actually be easier on my son since he would still have most of the day without other children.

So what sort of sleeping arrangements do you use? "Real" beds, cots, nap mats?

I have a daycare away from my own home & have more overall room. I have one room with toddler beds & another room with twin beds. I also have backup daycare cots too. My night parents consist of single moms & they always thanking me for being open at night. That makes it worth my while.