Overnight care

[VanessaB]

Good morning. I wanted to know if anyone has ever done overnight care. If so how did you find families that needed this service? Also, how did you implement this care; like what were your policies, rates and what was your structure?
I initially wanted to start a preschool but I am currently working part-time out of the home, so I don't have the time to do a Monday-Friday gig. Overnight care is appealing to me as I would be able to fit it into my life without feeling too overwhelmed. Any thoughts, experience or suggestions welcome. Thanks!

[LoraJenkins]

I have DCKs overnight on a regular basis. I have never advertised so I have no suggestions there, sorry. My overnight rates are double my day rates. As far as routine, it is just basic evening routine such as dinner @ 6:30 PM, free play for an hour, evening snack, bath, brush teeth, story and bedtime @8:30. The children sleep in cribs or cots in my room with me but all of the children are 4 and under. It has worked VERY well for me because 1) most providers and no centers in my area offer overnight care and 2) a lot of my parents work odd hours (one is a waitress), or want to have a night out. I just had 1 DCB for 5 days straight and next month will have one DCG for 10 days straight while parents go on vacation.

[Cradle2crayons]

I do overnights as well sometimes, but for current dck only... Sometimes past dck as well. I charge a little more than a day rate and they have the same bedtime routines my own kids do.

[Childminder]

Most of my overnight referrals have come from my State data base and local childcare resource and referral assoc.

[Starburst]

Some families that might need night time (overnight or just a few hour) care with usually night time professions:
Doctors/Nurses, Cops, Firefighters, EMTs, 911 dispatchers, Restaurant, Bar, Club, and/or Casino Managers/Cooks/Waitresses*, Hotel Managers, Truck Drivers, Wal-Mart Clerks or Graveyard Shift Manager (if you have a 24 hour Wal-Mart), College Professors/ Instructors (who teach night classes), and College/Trade School Students (who take night classes).

*Lots of bars and restaurants are open all night, my mom used to be a manager and waitress at Denny's, Carino's, and at a casino. So I can tell you there are a lot of single moms/dads (and even married/unmarried couples) who could use either a few hours of night care and/or overnight care.

[Scout]

I have a current family that had the possiblility of a strike and the need for possible night time care as well. I didn't hesitate to say yes, that I would help if needed. I have thought of doing this as well. It is a great way to make extra money-if they are good sleepers!

[Childminder]

There are other threads on daycare.com pertaining to overnite care, just do a search. Also be sure to check your state's rules as some do not allow for ovenite care any longer unless you are awake.

[Blackcat31]

There are other threads on daycare.com pertaining to overnite care, just do a search. Also be sure to check your state's rules as some do not allow for ovenite care any longer unless you are awake.

Here are lots more threads about overnight care.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=overnight+care