Friend Is Not Being Very Realistic About Daycare!

[KidGrind]

My friend just quit her job to become a DCP.

In our area, there is not much of a need for daycare (since we constantly compete with unreg/unlic care) except for some military families.


She has one child in her care but is moving 30 minutes away so will not have that child anymore once she moves.

She idealizes everything, does not have a contract, and thinks that this will pay her more than her $22 hr job that she just left.

I have briefly mentioned that she should NOT expect this kind of payout, even when she DOES get her license, but she is bound and determined. In our city, unless you're a center, you're lucky to get $100-$150 per week and there is a cap of 6 kids, including your own She has her child and step child in her home, so realistically she can ONLY take FOUR kids total.

I just think she made a really bad move if her sole reason is to "make more money" . She says she loves doing the daycare (it's day 3) but I don't think she's going to "love" the pay once she sees that it ISN'T what she's expecting.

I would like to hope for the best for her, but her "perfect" life is about to be turned upside down and she doesn't get it. She LEFT her job before moving, so now she'll be qualified on "self-employment" income which is very difficult and with her paycut, she is going to qualify for a lot less. She thinks it's so simple and isn't really getting the advice she's been given.

Somone on her fb told her to get contracts and she was dismissive, somewhat snotty about it.

I just feel like she's being ridiculously nonchalant and I'd hate to see her fail, but if she's unwilling to take advice, I kind of feel like she's asking for trouble. Should anyone even bother to say anything?

WWYD if this was your friend? Just let her fall on her face and learn the hard way or offer a sit-down?

Well there are some providers who can, have & will make $22 per hour plus. I was one of them a little over year ago. I usually made $25-30 per hour. I’ve made as much as $187.5 per hour. A major move to a different area changed my business situation. In the context of her situation I doubt she will make what she is hoping. However, it can & has been done by a certain niche of providers. Some individuals didn’t think I could do what I told them I would do. I was bound and determined. I did it. I’ll also share my goal is to rebuild my niche in the new area starting this year.

As a friend, I’d wish her well. If she is open I’d give her the simple math of the situation. I care about my friends. However their choices regarding their lives isn’t really my business.