Starting to get nervous..

[Mister Sir Husband]

So as some of you already know, I'm working still on opening my daycare. I have the paperwork 90% done, took the CPR & safety training and just completed the MAT training class to administer medicine (not required in my state, but I wanted to offer it). I have put a sizeable amount of money into my home to open this business. The basement has been redone... walls constructed, carpet people coming Monday, shopping trip for supplies happening soon, and OCFS due to inspect my home in a week or two. I am almost ready to start advertising for my opening hopefully by Sept.1.

Now however nerves are kicking in. Am I making the right decision with this business, can I handle it, what if I forget something, what if my paperwork isn't in order and I get inspected, what if all I get are difficult parents (I thank you all for the past month of posting your horror stories for that one ) what if I don't get any more than one kid,... etc..

I guess I just need to have someone tell me to relax and stop over thinking this

[Leanna]

Hang in there! I think everyone has these same worries when they first start out. When I first opened I started with just one family and had just that one family for two months until I filled my other spots. Sometimes it just takes some time. Lots of people start looking for care in August (for back to school, work, etc.) so you should get many calls then. MAT training is a good thing to have because you may get calls for kids with allergies, asthma, etc. and you won't have to turn them down!
As far as the "difficult" parents - just try your best to find families that are a good fit and make sure your contract includes all of the policies that are important to you. I have been doing this for 7 years and I haven't had a single "difficult" family so it is possible !
So relax! It will all come together!
P.S. I am in upstate NY too! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about regulations or anything!

[daycarediva]

I am in central NY, don't worry about licensing. My registrar is just awesome and 99% of the OCFS staff that I have come into contact with ARE there to help.

To assist me in remembering paperwork, I have a checklist with each child's name on it, and then I can go through their file prior to enrollment and 'check' it off. , and I go through every month and make sure it's all UTD.

I think Sept 1 is a great time to open, people will be looking for other care arrangements when summer ends/before back to school.

I would advertise before I was open with 'Opening Sept 1, 2013' on the flyers. I interviewed, and secured spaces prior to opening/before my space was completed both in my former home and in my new home, and the state is FINE with it.

Best of luck to you!!!

[Blackcat31]

So as some of you already know, I'm working still on opening my daycare. I have the paperwork 90% done, took the CPR & safety training and just completed the MAT training class to administer medicine (not required in my state, but I wanted to offer it). I have put a sizeable amount of money into my home to open this business. The basement has been redone... walls constructed, carpet people coming Monday, shopping trip for supplies happening soon, and OCFS due to inspect my home in a week or two. I am almost ready to start advertising for my opening hopefully by Sept.1.

Now however nerves are kicking in. Am I making the right decision with this business, can I handle it, what if I forget something, what if my paperwork isn't in order and I get inspected, what if all I get are difficult parents (I thank you all for the past month of posting your horror stories for that one ) what if I don't get any more than one kid,... etc..

I guess I just need to have someone tell me to relax and stop over thinking this

Some of the biggest failures in history are those ideas/risks NOT taken.

You will never know if this will or won't work unless you try and I think true failure only comes when NOT trying.

Even if your business doesn't succeed (which I think it will) YOU will still be successful because you tried.

[Unregistered]

So as some of you already know, I'm working still on opening my daycare. I have the paperwork 90% done, took the CPR & safety training and just completed the MAT training class to administer medicine (not required in my state, but I wanted to offer it). I have put a sizeable amount of money into my home to open this business. The basement has been redone... walls constructed, carpet people coming Monday, shopping trip for supplies happening soon, and OCFS due to inspect my home in a week or two. I am almost ready to start advertising for my opening hopefully by Sept.1.

Now however nerves are kicking in. Am I making the right decision with this business, can I handle it, what if I forget something, what if my paperwork isn't in order and I get inspected, what if all I get are difficult parents (I thank you all for the past month of posting your horror stories for that one ) what if I don't get any more than one kid,... etc..

I guess I just need to have someone tell me to relax and stop over thinking this

Are you a male? Just asking because of your username.

[Mister Sir Husband]

Are you a male? Just asking because of your username.

Why yes I am.. and according to the calender I'm 43..(funny though I don't feel that old)

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Definitely begin advertising! I advertised and filled some spots prior to opening (I believe I filled 5). Once you officially open, it will be easier for you to get clients in the door.

[Scout]

Don't be too nervous! I quit my job of 14 years on a whim and did not have one child enrolled! I had about one month with only one child and then I enrolled twins, then another child 2 months after that. I am now full since adding another two part timers. I would start advertising now as well since sometimes it can take a while to get a response. I got all my families off of Craigslist(which it seems by other providers on here can be hit or miss) and have been extremly lucky with them! I have great families and luckily have not had many issues. I have never had a late pick up, payment, or other common issues as others have from the families off of CL...the only problems I had were with a mom I personally knew!:: My one biggest piece of advice would be to not undercharge when you start out. I give a HUGE sibling discount and do regret that. Best of luck to you! My first 7 mos have been great!!

[Cradle2crayons]

Can you have an open house before licensing is done?? Parents here love those things.

[Mister Sir Husband]

Can you have an open house before licensing is done?? Parents here love those things.

I am sure I can.. It's going to be a few more weeks before I'm ready to though. I still have some work to do on the space I'm using.