Does Anyone Else Work In a Center?

[Guest]

I kinda feel like I'm the only one that doesn't have my own business here.

[Blackcat31]

We have several members here who work in a center.

We also have several members who own and operate centers.

I think a lot of our center workers are on-line during the evening and weekends since most centers don't allow internet use during working hours.

[playground1]

We have several members here who work in a center.

We also have several members who own and operate centers.

I think a lot of our center workers are on-line during the evening and weekends since most centers don't allow internet use during working hours.

Understandably. Problem is I'm sleeping when they're online!

[Blackcat31]

Understandably. Problem is I'm sleeping when they're online!

LOL! That's right....I forget you are across the pond..

[racemom]

I work in a small center (licensed for 40). I work primarily in infant room but cover other areas as needed.

[NightOwl]

I don't now, but I did for over 10 years!

[mskaykay]

I am the director of a center with 120 children which means I can check out the boards a few times a day when I am suppose to be billing hehe but I sit here dreaming that I would so much rather have a home daycare then do what I am doing now.

[Retired]

I am the director of a center with 120 children which means I can check out the boards a few times a day when I am suppose to be billing hehe but I sit here dreaming that I would so much rather have a home daycare then do what I am doing now.

With the way things are going, I think it's better to have a center job where you have a steady salary and benefits.

[Annalee]

With the way things are going, I think it's better to have a center job where you have a steady salary and benefits.

Not that way here....if I only had 3 kids I could make what I made at a center working 40 hours because most centers only pay minimum wage. In my home, I can close holidays, vacation days, personal days and STILL get paid! I worked in centers for 3 years before beginning my home child care 20 plus years ago!

[mskaykay]

The good thing is that I know I have a steady job any will be getting a pay check twice a month. On the other hand, I have 120 children, 18 staff members and make about 23,000 a year with minimal benefits. My high blood pressure is not worth that. Not to mention, when I was a teacher only I got to spend time with the kids which made the low pay and long hours tolerable, now its all angry parents who don't want to pay and misbehaving kids who need to be sent to the "principal". More than any of that, although my own infant dd comes to the center with me, I never see her and feel as though I am missing her grow up. That more than any of the financial reasons is why I am considering the switch to home.

[Retired]

Not that way here....if I only had 3 kids I could make what I made at a center working 40 hours because most centers only pay minimum wage. In my home, I can close holidays, vacation days, personal days and STILL get paid! I worked in centers for 3 years before beginning my home child care 20 plus years ago!

I think this is changing. You're on the tail end of what was the golden era of home daycares. I doubt many people will be able to be in business for decades if they start tomorrow. Schools/the state are taking children younger and younger. It wouldn't surprise me if schools start taking babies in the future (ten-twenty years from now). NJ is starting to get universal prek, NY has it, and so does CA. It's on the coasts. Slowly it will work its way inward when money becomes available. Once all three years are in for free, it will probably go younger and younger.

[Annalee]

I think this is changing. You're on the tail end of what was the golden era of home daycares. I doubt many people will be able to be in business for decades if they start tomorrow. Schools/the state are taking children younger and younger. It wouldn't surprise me if schools start taking babies in the future (ten-twenty years from now). NJ is starting to get universal prek, NY has it, and so does CA. It's on the coasts. Slowly it will work its way inward when money becomes available. Once all three years are in for free, it will probably go younger and younger.

We were headed to universal pre-k but right now there is NO way to house the kids....so we have have stayed with the classes already in place..not to mention the national/state budgets...I, like you, do think it will be hard for new providers to begin like seasoned providers who have been around forever. Child care has wayyyy tooooo manyyyyy quirks that go with it right now!!!!!!

[Bookworm]

I've been at my center for ten years. We're small with only 85 kids. I'm the fours teacher.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've been at my center for ten years. We're small with only 85 kids. I'm the fours teacher.

We're a small center......with 15 kids. Lol::

Center owner/operator/Director here.

[missy]

The good thing is that I know I have a steady job any will be getting a pay check twice a month. On the other hand, I have 120 children, 18 staff members and make about 23,000 a year with minimal benefits. My high blood pressure is not worth that. Not to mention, when I was a teacher only I got to spend time with the kids which made the low pay and long hours tolerable, now its all angry parents who don't want to pay and misbehaving kids who need to be sent to the "principal". More than any of that, although my own infant dd comes to the center with me, I never see her and feel as though I am missing her grow up. That more than any of the financial reasons is why I am considering the switch to home.

That's ridiculous that they only pay you $23k for a center that large and with that many staff!! Are you full time? If so they are soaking up the profits at your loss!