What Do You Like About Owning a DC?

[littleblossoms]

Most important for me is being my own boss.

I set the rules and where the pants around here

[Familycare71]

I charge $175/week, more for PT'ers and currently all of my part timers add up to one space. I have 6 littles and 2 SA. My biggest expense is food, but then there is the food program income which covers about 2 weeks worth, then not paying for my own kids day care, then write off savings, car wear and tear, gas....

I am in NY, higher day care rates than other states.

Higher rates where you are . Come east a bit! :: maybe I need to relocate!

[Play Care]

Higher rates where you are . Come east a bit! :: maybe I need to relocate!

I'm just north of Albany. I charge $150 for FT over 2, $160 for FT infants (under 2) and $140 for school agers over summers/breaks. This year I have 5 FT (aged 2 and up), and 3 SA. I think I'm one of the higher paid providers in my area. I also just got switched to tier 1 on the food program so my reimbursement rate went way up - though, as I already cautioned my husband - that could change back at any time so that's not something to get used to.

As nice as it all is, the truth is that at any moment the rug can get pulled out from under. I try to be mindful of that.

[MsLaura529]

- I love the smiles on the kids when they see me at the door in the morning.
- Or the DCM who tells me "we LOVE the art she brings home."
- Or the newest DCM (whose current daycare is closing) who says, "I have been so nervous trying to find a new daycare, it took me a long time to feel like I could trust anyone before. After meeting with you now, I definitely feel like this is the right place".
- Or the fact that I can be sitting at the table, coloring with the kids or building a block tower when the parents come in to pick up and they actually are happy to see me doing that.
- And that I can wear my yoga pants and a t-shirt to work and that's ok (especially since I've put on so much weight that my none of my shorts or jean capris fit me anymore ... I do NOT love that!).

[Leanna]

I feel so grateful to be able to work at a job in the field that I got my degree in from my own home...how many people can say that?

I LOVE my DCK's! I have been soooo lucky with DCF's too! Most of the moms and I become very close!

I LOVE being my own boss. It is actually a necessity for me. I simply CANNOT have someone tell me what to do!

I LOVE working alone...no coworkers! When I worked in centers I felt as though I constantly had to argue with people about how kids were being treated/taught/cared for.

I love being home! I am a homebody too and I love being in my house and taking walks through the my neighborhood, etc.

You can't beat the wardrobe! While I don't wear PJ's or sweats, I do wear comfortable clothes. I am always hot so I like being able to wear cool, comfortable stuff because the kids don't care what I'm wearing!

I LOVE when the kids sing a new song I taught them, or recite part of a book I read at storytime, or when DCG spontaneously tells my CACFP rep, "Leanna always makes us yummy healthy foods!"

Mostly, I LOVE watching my DCKs grow and learn. I love the hugs, cuddles, high fives, and "I wuv yous."

[melilley]

I also love these positive threads!
I don't really have anything to add that others haven't said, but here are some of my lovethis's:

# 1 for sure! I love being able to be home with my son and also being home when my daughter gets off the bus, when she is sick, and when school is closed.
2. Not having to drive anywhere in the winter when the roads are bad
3. Not having to follow someone else's teaching style/curriculum (I used to be a lead infant and toddler teacher in a center and hated their curriculum!)
4. That I can bond (or at least try) with my dck's and I only have 6 (inc. my son) at any one time so the smaller group size is great for that!
5. All of my parents now are fantastic! They have their querks (sp?), but for the most part are great!

Plus lots of what other pp's have said!

[Cat Herder]

It allows me to be the wife and mother I aspired to be while also bringing in a pretty decent income. lovethis

Oh, yeah... and I get to control my own environment, schedule and payscale... Ya, know.. "little" things like that. ::