Passed My Pre-Licensing Inspection Today!

[MissKrys]

It's official, we are getting licensed!! happyface They'll be sending our license in the mail once our inspection report is filed this week. I'm sooo excited!! I was honestly preparing for a list of corrections and a delay in licensing, but I guess we had our bases covered. That's probably just the perfectionist in me, there's always something that needs to be fixed.

For a newbie, what's something you wish you would have known starting out?? Or something you would have done differently? I feel very lucky to have found this forum to get practical advice and different views.

[Rachel]

Congratulations!!!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Congratulations!

[snbauser]

Congrats!!

[NoMoreJuice!]

Congrats!

Congratulations on getting your license!

To answer your question, when I was first starting out I wish I had known how much parents try to take advantage of you when you're nice. It takes a kind heart to care for kids, but a strong backbone to run a business. I wish I had known to make the business side of daycare stronger (better contracts, etc).

I also wish I had started out with a pre-paid contract rather than waiting for parents to pay me when they felt like it. Originally, I watched a few kids whose parents paid me every 3 weeks AFTER care was provided....but one parent decided not to pay me and we had a very intense talk in the judge's chambers when I filed a small claims case against her. Now my contract states that if you don't bring the week's tuition Monday morning, you can not leave your child. No money, no child, end of story.

I also wish with my whole heart that I had known about this forum!!! It's a lifesaver, seriously. I trust the providers on here for great wisdom and advice, and the more posts you read on here, the more you will benefit.

Good luck with your new venture! We're all on your team here! happyface

[MissKrys]

Thank you everyone!

Congratulations on getting your license!

To answer your question, when I was first starting out I wish I had known how much parents try to take advantage of you when you're nice. It takes a kind heart to care for kids, but a strong backbone to run a business. I wish I had known to make the business side of daycare stronger (better contracts, etc).

I also wish I had started out with a pre-paid contract rather than waiting for parents to pay me when they felt like it. Originally, I watched a few kids whose parents paid me every 3 weeks AFTER care was provided....but one parent decided not to pay me and we had a very intense talk in the judge's chambers when I filed a small claims case against her. Now my contract states that if you don't bring the week's tuition Monday morning, you can not leave your child. No money, no child, end of story.

I also wish with my whole heart that I had known about this forum!!! It's a lifesaver, seriously. I trust the providers on here for great wisdom and advice, and the more posts you read on here, the more you will benefit.

Good luck with your new venture! We're all on your team here! happyface

GREAT advice! Part of the reason I'm working from home is because I struggle with social anxiety, and I'm already preparing myself knowing that this might come into play with difficult parents. Luckily my husband and my mom are by my side to help me with those situations...but like you said, a backbone will be needed, so I will work on that for sure!

I'm trying to be as comprehensive as I can in my parent handbook/contracts so that I can point it out in 'black and white' rather than make it up as I go along. I know I will find out the hard way on some things. Do parents make a big fuss about deposits or paying up front? I'm requiring a two week deposit, but I'm expecting that to scare families off.

[choirlady76]

Congrats!!!! happyfacehappyfacehappyface

[Second Home]

I also require paying in advance for the week . Some people are confused at first but I have never had anyone get upset about it .

Congrats on getting your lic .happyface

[Nurse Jackie]

Im also in California waiting for my inspection date. Do you mind telling me what all did your inspector look for? and do they go in rooms your no using for daycare and inspect?

[daycare]

welcome i am also in cali....

i wish i would have found this site when i first started and i wish i would have had a lot more education in ECE when i started.

Build a strong foundation for your program with policies and rules. Then put them into action.

Like PP said, one of the things about this biz is that the parents will get to you if you don't know how to deal with them. The kids you can almost always work with as long as you have parents that follow your rules and respect you.

OH and always always always PAYMENT in advance.

Don't provide services without payment first.....In cali this is the norm..

[Controlled Chaos]

Congrats! I passed mine just three months ago, stressful! Welcome!

Charge in advance. Be loving and warm with children and firm and professional with parents.

Welcome!

[NikkiBelle]

Thank you everyone!



GREAT advice! Part of the reason I'm working from home is because I struggle with social anxiety, and I'm already preparing myself knowing that this might come into play with difficult parents. Luckily my husband and my mom are by my side to help me with those situations...but like you said, a backbone will be needed, so I will work on that for sure!

I'm trying to be as comprehensive as I can in my parent handbook/contracts so that I can point it out in 'black and white' rather than make it up as I go along. I know I will find out the hard way on some things. Do parents make a big fuss about deposits or paying up front? I'm requiring a two week deposit, but I'm expecting that to scare families off.

I also struggle with social anxiety and that's one of the reasons I picked this as a career!! It's nice to know I'm not alone!! Congrats on gettin your license!!!!!

[Thriftylady]

Congrats! I also have anxiety not sure if it is social, I am anxious over tons of stuff. But I agree the backbone is important, but for me it is also the hardest part.

[AmyKidsCo]

Congrats!

ITA with NoMoreJuice: Make the parents pay ahead of time and don't be afraid to stick to your guns when enforcing your policies.

Remember that if a parent leaves because you enforced a policy there are more families out there looking for care. Don't be held hostage by a fear of losing a family. (The voice of experience!)