Has Anyone Dropped From Group Home To Family?

[crazydaycarelady]

About 2+ years ago I went up to group home (12 kids) from family home (6 kids)and got an assistant. The money is good but it is just so crazy, so many schedules, so many people coming and going. I need to get another assistant 2 days per week, do more paperwork, etc. I am not really happy doing it to this extent.

I am thinking of dropping back down to family home.

Whoever got dropped would be pretty ticked off at me. I suppose I would choose who stayed according to how long they have been here and who causes the least grief.

I don't know......I am torn.

[snbauser]

I did but my circumstance was different. I was licensed for 12 with an assistant but closed to open a larger center. Unfortunately that didn't work out and I decided to reopen my home. I had to go back through the licensing process and could only care for 2 children until that happened so I had to let all of the others go. When I got re-licensed I decided to stay at family childcare (max 5 kids). I didn't make a whole lot more with the 12 kids than I do with 5 thanks to employees, payroll, taxes, workers comp, extra insurance, extra materials, etc. And all of the headache that went with employees and up to 12 parents. I may consider expanding back to 12 when my dh retires and can be my full time assistant, but still not sure I want to deal with all the extra rules, regulations, and inspections.

[CrackerJacks]

I went back down at the beginning of the year and LOVE it. I had been watching 9-10/children daily for 3yrs. I still hold my large license (14) but only watch 4-5 children now. it's soo less stressful, I feel like I can do alot more with the kids. And honestly, after payroll, taxes, workers comp and all the extra $ because of more supplies I've found that I'm actually making more this way. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to have other adults around for conversation or to help pick up the slack when I wasn't feeling 100% and i do miss that aspect of it. But, for now going back down was a good choice for me.

[Nebula]

I am the opposite of you. Right now I am a Tier 1, or Certified Family Home (Listed) and can keep a max of 3 kids...... Due to space sigh

When we find a bigger place, I see myself going to the next branch, Tier 2 Registered, which is 6 kids. I can keep the 6 kids, charge my rate- and make a decent living. I don't know that I will move up to full blown licensed family home and keep 12.

[LK5kids]

I did but my circumstance was different. I was licensed for 12 with an assistant but closed to open a larger center. Unfortunately that didn't work out and I decided to reopen my home. I had to go back through the licensing process and could only care for 2 children until that happened so I had to let all of the others go. When I got re-licensed I decided to stay at family childcare (max 5 kids). I didn't make a whole lot more with the 12 kids than I do with 5 thanks to employees, payroll, taxes, workers comp, extra insurance, extra materials, etc. And all of the headache that went with employees and up to 12 parents. I may consider expanding back to 12 when my dh retires and can be my full time assistant, but still not sure I want to deal with all the extra rules, regulations, and inspections.

I also opened a larger center after doing family c. care and hated it. I went back to my 6 preschoolers and 5 school age kids my state allowed and loved it. It did go out and teach preschool 2 afternoons per week and that was perfect for me!

Right now I'd love to do group family c care, but the state I moved to doesn't allow it. My FCC is in a separate house so it would be ideal. I can see the how hard it would be in your primary home.

[crazydaycarelady]

I do have a separate area in my home for the daycare, however it bleeds over into my family living space with 12 kids here at nap time. I am also too lazy to take down pac-n-plays each night so I have 5 of them in my family room.

I am finally making god money, enough to cover things that we used to struggle for (like crowns on my teeth) but it is just so nuts. I am literally wiped out at the end of each day. I find that I resent any activity that is asked of me on weeknights because I am to pooped to party.