You Can Never, Ever, Ever Rely On Daycare Income

[cheerfuldom]

I keep telling my hubby that but he never gets it. and now he is really upset about this situation

I had a full house lined up for fall, now one family is for sure not coming (found a place closer to home) and another got a promotion at work and not sure yet if the hours fit in with what I provide so that is one, maybe two kids lost in the fall.

I had the summer all worked out and actually turned away prospective clients. Now a dad pops up on Friday and says they dont need care for June like they thought they did. This is a teachers family and I dont charge teachers for summer (and no, that is not going to change, this was already agreed upon and I was fully aware of the possibility of them being gone the whole summer).

So all of a sudden things are shaking up here and my income is once again, unstable. This is the norm in daycare. I try to tell my husband he can't plan on anything for sure, ever, so the sooner that settles in, the better. I will do what I can to contribute to the family's income but there is only so much I can do. Its frustrating but just a part of the deal.

[CraftyMom]

Ugh! It is so frustrating! Just when things get settled someone unexpectedly leaves! I hate that part of this job! I am just coming out of the same type of situation, but it will take a while for things to settle again

[TwinKristi]

Yeah this is the worst part of doing daycare. I have had an up and down almost constantly in my daycare since starting almost 2yrs ago. I went from full in Aug down to 1 kid in Dec and it ****ed! I was back to full for a few weeks, then had to term 1 (she was only staying one more week anyway) and later that day another family said they may be changing things this summer so... Blah! Back to advertising and interviews!

[BumbleBee]

Yup. Thought I had 2 signing on for the summer M,W,F & now they're hemming and hawing about it. Then my teacher dck was supposed to be every Wednesday and that's up in the air.

Without a signed contract & deposit I don't count on anything but I like to have things figured out as much as I can.

Figured I'd have 1 full time spot & 1 part time spot to fill going into summer. As of now I have 3 full time spots to fill-summer starts in 15 days. Ugh.

[Josiegirl]

I know!! For years and years it was very stable, back when there was a 2nd income in the household. But for about a year now I've been struggling. Right now I'm hanging on til summer kids get here but if I had to keep going with the crew(or lack of) I've got now, I'd go in the hole really fast. Scary scary!
I suppose, even though school hasn't gotten out yet, I should start putting the word out that I'll have openings. I just hate interviewing during the busy hot messy months of summer.

[hope]

Last year I was all lined up for a full house and then broke my arm. At a regular job I could either still work or take temporary paid sick leave. So I was out of work for a bit. This past fall I was supposed to be filled but had two parents decide that they only needed part time and I couldn't fill spots all year. I have been having some medical issues the past few months so I asked all parents that didn't need me to take a break so I am left with half my salary. I am crossing my fingers that come September nothing happens and I can have my full load of kids as planned.
My DH is understanding but I still feel bad. I did have a second job waiting tables (before medical issues) to make up for the lost money so that I wouldn't have to be desperate and take families that I knew were a bad match. Maybe you could consider a part time job at night to help?

[KiddieCahoots]

Ugh! This is all too true!
The revolving door of daycare!
I personally have gotten so used to it, it's lost the impact it should have
The good thing......fall is usually a good time for newbies entering into child care, hopefully some good one's will pop up and surprise you cheer.

[Silly Songs]

How does everyone plan financially for these up and downs of doing home daycare ?

[SignMeUp]

How does everyone plan financially for these up and downs of doing home daycare ?

I am usually as full as I want to be. BUT when I have a couple of infants, I like to have a smaller group, so my income is down then.
So when my income is up, I have financial flexibility. I save. I buy ahead, food, supplies, always on sale. Clothing for myself, on sale. Holiday/birthday gifts, planned and bought ahead. I like planning ahead anyway
Then when my income is down, I do very little in the way of "extras", not because I can't, but just because I am conservative financially. I will always use a Michael's coupon though 40% off, who can pass it up :: Something for the kids, or something for myself. It makes me happy.

Of course, I am easily pleased ::::::

[Shell]

Right there with you. I turned away two infants, and can't find a good replacement, so it looks like I will be struggling for at least the summer. I am so thankful I was warned on here about the ups and downs and the uncertainty of the job. It makes me nervous, but I know it's part of the ebb and flow.

[permanentvacation]

You are right. Daycare income can fluctuate. However, I always remind myself that I am typically making more at home doing daycare than I would if I went out to work. And times when I lose a lot of kids and think I won't be able to financial handle it, I remind myself that I at least have the one or two kids that stayed and if I were working out of the house and got fired, I would have lost all my income at once. With daycare, at least you still have a little income to get me by while I am working to get more kids.

[coolconfidentme]

How does everyone plan financially for these up and downs of doing home daycare ?

When you have a full house, save, save & save some more! It ALWAYS gets me though the rough patches.

[Annalee]

You are right. Daycare income can fluctuate. However, I always remind myself that I am typically making more at home doing daycare than I would if I went out to work. And times when I lose a lot of kids and think I won't be able to financial handle it, I remind myself that I at least have the one or two kids that stayed and if I were working out of the house and got fired, I would have lost all my income at once. With daycare, at least you still have a little income to get me by while I am working to get more kids.

I do this, too. My brother always tells me I can add $10,000 a year to my income due to the fact I don't have to buy specific clothes for the day, nor do I have wear/tear on a vehicle. Plus, I tell myself that even if I wasn't at full capacity of 12 kids, as long as I have 6 kids enrolled, I am still making more than I would at some other jobs and I still have the hours I want to work. I realize if I entered the work force now, I would start out like anyone else in fast food or retail stores and the hours would be horrible for my family. I do this to be home every evening with my own family.

[Meyou]

I just had a client of 7 years mention in an off hand way that DCB won't be back after the end of June. W....T....F??? They actually mentioned paying over $1000 for a camp for him this summer today instead of telling me directly. I had to ASK, "Wait, do you mean he won't be here?" That is how you give notice after 7 years? Got it DC families message received loud and clear. It's always good to get a healthy reality check about my actual worth now and then so I don't start feeling bad about late fees and policies.

I hope this DCF remembered they were getting a reduced rate for two children and their length of time here which will now be null and void since one of the two children will be gone. New contract tomorrow!

[Chellieleanne]

Seeing all your posts makes me so thankful my money is extra and not needed for anything but what I want to do with it. I don't know what I would do if I actually had to bring in an income to help support my family