What You Wear

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

So I'm reading this book.... From babysitter to Business owner in hopes it gives me some direction in becoming more professional and developing that beloved backbone. Friday marked my 4-year mark in starting my daycare. I really never thought I would continue past my dd starting school. Yet, something clicked and it looks like I am going to be committing myself to making this a career for myself.

Well in this book it has that a professional appearance will help the parents to see you more as a business owner and not just a "babysitter". Apparently going for more of a uniform look is better than jeans and old t-shirts. Even suggested Khakis and a polo- or t-shirt with your childcare name on it.

How many of you actually wear a uniform so to speak? I'm re-evaluating my entire program. I'm even replacing toys and reorganizing everything so no time like the present to fix this too.

[daycarediva]

I tried to do my daycare name tshirts only, it's just not me. One of the perks of this job is NOT wearing a uniform.

I look like a gym teacher most days. Sneakers, socks, yoga pants/capris, nice workout tops. I do make sure my makeup is done (plain, but put together) and my hair is done (even if it is a ponytail).

I also wear some kids style shirts with jeans, ninja turtles, sesame street, frozen, lego, I have a BUNCH of different colored converse, so I match. HAHA!

[Blackcat31]

So I'm reading this book.... From babysitter to Business owner in hopes it gives me some direction in becoming more professional and developing that beloved backbone. Friday marked my 4-year mark in starting my daycare. I really never thought I would continue past my dd starting school. Yet, something clicked and it looks like I am going to be committing myself to making this a career for myself.

Well in this book it has that a professional appearance will help the parents to see you more as a business owner and not just a "babysitter". Apparently going for more of a uniform look is better than jeans and old t-shirts. Even suggested Khakis and a polo- or t-shirt with your childcare name on it.

How many of you actually wear a uniform so to speak? I'm re-evaluating my entire program. I'm even replacing toys and reorganizing everything so no time like the present to fix this too.

I think that in order to feel professional and therefore act professional, I need to dress the part.

I wear regular pants (nice jeans or khaki style pants in multiple colors) and a nicer top or sweater. In the summer I wear capri's (khaki style or sometimes denim) and again a blouse or nice top.

I rarely wear Ts with logos or anything like that to work (although I own lots of T's) and I never go to work without having showered and fixed my hair.

Ive never worn yoga pants, sweat suits, track suits or pj's to work...... although I would love it some days but it's just not me and I just couldn't do it.

If we are doing any type of activity that is messy, I have an apron that I toss on over my clothing.

I know many providers say they don't want their nicer clothing to get ruined or dirty but I have to say that in the 20+ yrs I've been doing this, I've never had that happen to me....although I have been pooed on and puked on, it still never ruined my clothing.

I wear what I wear so that I feel professional. I also run my business more as a business verse a home away from home so for me, that influences my personal thoughts/opinions on the subject.

I think others need to do what works for them.

[Heidi]

I wear mostly jeans and nicer tshirts. In the summer, I like sundresses vs. shorts because my "looking hot in shorts" days are behind me. LOL

BTW, Patricia (the author) is on our Wisconsin Family Childcare Association board. She's awesome, and does so much for providers in WI, even though she's been "retired" (she's only in her 40's), for several years.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I wear mostly jeans and nicer tshirts. In the summer, I like sundresses vs. shorts because my "looking hot in shorts" days are behind me. LOL

BTW, Patricia (the author) is on our Wisconsin Family Childcare Association board. She's awesome, and does so much for providers in WI, even though she's been "retired" (she's only in her 40's), for several years.

I'm only on chapter 3 and it has already hit me pretty hard. I'm like man some days I look like death becomes her. I shower every morning (4:30 am) since my first one arrives by 5:30. I just don't usually wear makeup during the week but apparently it wouldn't kill me to toss on some foundation and mascara. most of my jeans have become saggy in the butt and hips because I've lost 22lbs since December 1st. I have partly curly hair that I have to straighten or it just doesn't look right. Some mornings I do t even worry about it and just toss some bobby pins in it to pull it off my face. I guess I should take more pride in the way I look. I had adopted the justification that the kids don't care if I have on make up. On the weekends I won't even walk out my house without being 100% put together.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I tried to do my daycare name tshirts only, it's just not me. One of the perks of this job is NOT wearing a uniform.

I look like a gym teacher most days. Sneakers, socks, yoga pants/capris, nice workout tops. I do make sure my makeup is done (plain, but put together) and my hair is done (even if it is a ponytail).

I also wear some kids style shirts with jeans, ninja turtles, sesame street, frozen, lego, I have a BUNCH of different colored converse, so I match. HAHA!

my. Best friend has in an inhome daycare too and she only wears tank tops and yoga pants or workout capri. I don't even think she owns a pair of jeans.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I think that in order to feel professional and therefore act professional, I need to dress the part.

I wear regular pants (nice jeans or khaki style pants in multiple colors) and a nicer top or sweater. In the summer I wear capri's (khaki style or sometimes denim) and again a blouse or nice top.

I rarely wear Ts with logos or anything like that to work (although I own lots of T's) and I never go to work without having showered and fixed my hair.

Ive never worn yoga pants, sweat suits, track suits or pj's to work...... although I would love it some days but it's just not me and I just couldn't do it.

If we are doing any type of activity that is messy, I have an apron that I toss on over my clothing.

I know many providers say they don't want their nicer clothing to get ruined or dirty but I have to say that in the 20+ yrs I've been doing this, I've never had that happen to me....although I have been pooed on and puked on, it still never ruined my clothing.

I wear what I wear so that I feel professional. I also run my business more as a business verse a home away from home so for me, that influences my personal thoughts/opinions on the subject.

I think others need to do what works for them.

I know when I use to do medical transcription from home I would produce more lines in a faster time than when I just kept my PJs on. When I had the PJ pants on then I was in comfort mode and tired. It was bad enough working 11pm to 8am.

[Gemma]

I don't think the way I dress is going to impact the way I run my business so, jeans and T-Shirt is fine with me!...perhaps if I had more than 6 kids....nah!

[kendallina]

I'm only on chapter 3 and it has already hit me pretty hard. I'm like man some days I look like death becomes her. I shower every morning (4:30 am) since my first one arrives by 5:30. I just don't usually wear makeup during the week but apparently it wouldn't kill me to toss on some foundation and mascara. most of my jeans have become saggy in the butt and hips because I've lost 22lbs since December 1st. I have partly curly hair that I have to straighten or it just doesn't look right. Some mornings I do t even worry about it and just toss some bobby pins in it to pull it off my face. I guess I should take more pride in the way I look. I had adopted the justification that the kids don't care if I have on make up. On the weekends I won't even walk out my house without being 100% put together.

What I bolded...that's my guide on how I dress for childcare. I won't leave the house without combed hair and makeup, so I wouldn't run childcare without it either. I do typically wear comfortable, nice looking yoga pants and usually a nicer top/sweater. Capris in the summer. I make sure what I wear fits and is comfortable enough to be in all day and on the floor. I dress nicer on days that I have interviews-- nice jeans instead of yoga pants.

Remember too, dressing is only one part of professionalism. I know yoga pants aren't the best thing to wear to be considered a professional, but I've come to accept that I am just never going to be comfortable in jeans that fit well and so I choose yoga pants. In other areas, I try to make sure that I am presenting myself as a complete professional- in the manner that I speak with parents and their children, in doing tours, with my website, etc.

[Heidi]

What I bolded...that's my guide on how I dress for childcare. I won't leave the house without combed hair and makeup, so I wouldn't run childcare without it either. I do typically wear comfortable, nice looking yoga pants and usually a nicer top/sweater. Capris in the summer. I make sure what I wear fits and is comfortable enough to be in all day and on the floor. I dress nicer on days that I have interviews-- nice jeans instead of yoga pants.

Remember too, dressing is only one part of professionalism. I know yoga pants aren't the best thing to wear to be considered a professional, but I've come to accept that I am just never going to be comfortable in jeans that fit well and so I choose yoga pants. In other areas, I try to make sure that I am presenting myself as a complete professional- in the manner that I speak with parents and their children, in doing tours, with my website, etc.

I think that Patricia's message is that you should see yourself as a professional, and expect act and be treated like one. It's not about 1 thing on the list; what you wear. It's about an overall approach. It's the "whole picture" you present that separates you from the lady down the street who "watches a couple kids" and feeds them Spaghettios in from of the T.V.

I would also like to add that I live in a community where most women don't wear makeup. I do sometimes (less now that when I was younger, actually). It's also very common (and IMO, tacky) to see people in the grocery store in their PJ's. I don't really judge that, but I do notice.

[Martha Stewart]

I wear jeans, yoga pants and logo'd t-shirts. I consider myself a professional childcare provider & home business owner. I don't think what i wear impacts my ability to perform my job well.

[Blackcat31]

I wear jeans, yoga pants and logo'd t-shirts. I consider myself a professional childcare provider & home business owner. I don't think what i wear impacts my ability to perform my job well.

I don't think it has anything to do with ability.

I think how a person dresses impacts how they feel about themselves and therefore how they act.

I can do my job naked but I wouldn't feel as professional enforcing my rules that way.

[Gemma]

I
I can do my job naked but I wouldn't feel as professional enforcing my rules that way.

I'm sorry but that made me laugh::::

I do agree, I wear jeans and T-shirt, but I couldn't open the door if my hair and makeup weren't done

[Annalee]

I am a denim and t-shirt person usually with my daycare logo on them....gotta get some more made, have worn out my old ones::. I do brush my hair and put in ponytail or pin it up but I do not necessarily dress up. I am very casual.

[mommiebookworm]

I found it interesting in an interview, a dcm said something about her previous sitter always wearing PJs or sweats. She actually said that If she couldn't get motivated to get dressed, was she going to be motivated to take care of her son.