Losing daycare kids to school

[Unregistered]

All parents aren't looking for free.

Some parents simply want the brick and mortar building experience.

Family Child Care (even if you offer a structured curriculum and prep the kids for Kindy) is NOT the same concept.

FCC is still a home based business, 9 out of 10 times with a provider/teacher managing HER home life at the same time.

As their kids age and begin a new phase in their lives, parents support that but sometimes need that change too. It's part of their child growing up.

Buying school clothes, school supplies, having a back pack and being dropped off at a place with kids that are ALL the same age, and a teacher called something formal verses "Mama Jen" or some other version of affection.

Preschool sometimes means buses and sack lunches....

Parent meetings, newsletters, homework, field trips, show and tell, conferences, classrooms, ect.....

The WHOLE package is what parents are often looking for.

ALL the things a preschool offers that is usually not found in a family child care setting.

All of the ones who want free are in my area. Many of them have told me (hinted ) if I could get free preschool they would stay with me. I do everything you mention but busing and homework (which is NOT developmentally appropriate for four year olds anyway). I get your point, I want to say I am a bit offended. I know it wasn't your intention, but you can't say what goes on in someone else's business. I was a teacher. I student taught in a first grade half the year and a third grade the second half. I have worked for the board of education and was pursuing my masters. I probably would have finished if I still got the teacher discount the local college offers, but it too expensive to pay it all. I am just as experienced (if not more) than the preschool/head start teachers in my area. For my business, it's better than a public school/head start because I have low numbers and can work with the children one on one. Is there a time for school? Yes. However, what is school? Not everyone goes to public school. My sister in law home schools. So, are her children are not "growing up"? Some children go to private schools or country day schools which are more like a home.

[daycare]

I offer the whole program as well, I do news letters, conferences, progress tracking, amazing fieldtips, report cards, back to school night, talent shows, and a great phonics program that is also math Incorporated.

I have had families still leave me for PRESCHOOL and I felt hurt at first. To date those that have left me for the "preschool experience" 4 out of 7 of them have asked to come back, I let two of them come back and the others told no.

Like someone here said, they feel the pressure of their peers, people who don't know what they have. They feel their child needs that "School" experience before the enter the real deal.

I don't take it personal anymore. I know that families are always going to do what is best for them at the end of the day just as I am going to do for my family and business.

[Blackcat31]

All of the ones who want free are in my area. Many of them have told me (hinted ) if I could get free preschool they would stay with me. I do everything you mention but busing and homework (which is NOT developmentally appropriate for four year olds anyway). I get your point, I want to say I am a bit offended. I know it wasn't your intention, but you can't say what goes on in someone else's business. I was a teacher. I student taught in a first grade half the year and a third grade the second half. I have worked for the board of education and was pursuing my masters. I probably would have finished if I still got the teacher discount the local college offers, but it too expensive to pay it all. I am just as experienced (if not more) than the preschool/head start teachers in my area. For my business, it's better than a public school/head start because I have low numbers and can work with the children one on one. Is there a time for school? Yes. However, what is school? Not everyone goes to public school. My sister in law home schools. So, are her children are not "growing up"? Some children go to private schools or country day schools which are more like a home.

Not seeing where I said anything offensive...

I am a provider too. I am also a licensed teacher with a degree.

Doesn't change how parents view child care.

I can't change how they view "family" child care.

I am sure there are a million reasons parents want preschool.

If it's because it's free, then you can't compete with that; unless you do it for free too.

If it's something else...then find out what it is and provide what it is the parents is looking for.


You are right though, not everyone goes to public school but on the same note, not every parent is looking for the brick and mortar preschool either.

My reply was based on "those" parents since that is the topic OP wrote about.