New Family - I Should be Happy

[Preschool/daycare teacher]

Thank you everyone. Sometimes I just feel silly even having policies and forms and all. It is uncommon for someone in my area to be unlicensed and yet have those. But I'm not willing to be a door mat, and I want parents to know from the start that I'm a professional and not just somebody who got laid off or fired and decided to do this until I can find a "real" job. Or as a way to just stay home with my kids (since I don't have any kids yet, which is also discouraging ). I do this because I love working with children, teaching them, watching them grow, being a part of shaping their lives, spending time with them. But in order to not get burnt out because of the parents, I need policies and forms to cover my own behind.
Even my own sister thinks it's silly for me to be "so formal" about it. She "babysits" too, as she calls it, but she got lucky because she had a friend looking for childcare and her friend doesn't take advantage of her. Plus her friend has four kids and my sister has three, so she's automatically full with just one family and her own. I don't have friends or know anyone around here, so I have to start from scratch. I've always been in childcare. I started out babysitting as a teenager, moved on to childcare and an after school program, then teaching preschool, then teaching at a home daycare/preschool, provided care in my home for one child, then went to another daycare/preschool after she went to school. Then I got married and moved to a new area 45 minutes away and nobody knows me here. So for me if I'm going to do childcare, I'm going to do it right. And with my experience and training, I don't like it when family or friends call what I do "babysitting". I got paid more as a teenager babysitting! But to anyone else around here, you either provide "babysitting" or you provide "childcare" if you are licensed. The IRS doesn't care though. To them I am running a business ::

[Ariana]

Bottom line is that she wanted "unlicensed" because she thought it meant she could call the shots, not pay when she is supposed to and otherwise take advantage of you. You really dodged a bullet with this one!! Another awesome kid will come your way, just focus on that

[auntymimi]

I'm so sorry, and I completely understand your struggle! I either find great kids with shady parents, or great parents with "highly spirited" kids! I am lisenced but I feel like all my calls are fo super cheap babysitter or they want really odd hours, they want toddler worksheets and 'Your Baby Can Read!' Or all three!::: I really believe that it will all work out eventually, but it's a struggle getting those first good families in the door. Sometimes I think of my rough ones,getting started, as paying my dues, ya know? I hope you get some great families soon, you sure sound like a great provider! :hug:

[Thriftylady]

Thank you everyone. Sometimes I just feel silly even having policies and forms and all. It is uncommon for someone in my area to be unlicensed and yet have those. But I'm not willing to be a door mat, and I want parents to know from the start that I'm a professional and not just somebody who got laid off or fired and decided to do this until I can find a "real" job. Or as a way to just stay home with my kids (since I don't have any kids yet, which is also discouraging ). I do this because I love working with children, teaching them, watching them grow, being a part of shaping their lives, spending time with them. But in order to not get burnt out because of the parents, I need policies and forms to cover my own behind.
Even my own sister thinks it's silly for me to be "so formal" about it. She "babysits" too, as she calls it, but she got lucky because she had a friend looking for childcare and her friend doesn't take advantage of her. Plus her friend has four kids and my sister has three, so she's automatically full with just one family and her own. I don't have friends or know anyone around here, so I have to start from scratch. I've always been in childcare. I started out babysitting as a teenager, moved on to childcare and an after school program, then teaching preschool, then teaching at a home daycare/preschool, provided care in my home for one child, then went to another daycare/preschool after she went to school. Then I got married and moved to a new area 45 minutes away and nobody knows me here. So for me if I'm going to do childcare, I'm going to do it right. And with my experience and training, I don't like it when family or friends call what I do "babysitting". I got paid more as a teenager babysitting! But to anyone else around here, you either provide "babysitting" or you provide "childcare" if you are licensed. The IRS doesn't care though. To them I am running a business ::

I am also unlicensed. I have a handbook and contract also. I had a dad pay my enrollment fee last week and then contact me and tell he he wouldn't sign the contract. To me, that just means he wanted to not follow it, so good riddance. Being unlicensed does not make us any less a business. Stay true to yourself in this! It took me a year and a half to get two families, but they have been worth the wait.

[daycare]

tell your potential clients what you told us here: of course reword it:

I'm a professional and not just somebody who got laid off or fired and decided to do this until I can find a "real" job. Or as a way to just stay home with my kids. I do this because I love working with children, teaching them, watching them grow, being a part of shaping their lives, spending time with them. But in order to not get burnt out because of the parents, I need policies and forms to cover my own behind.

I go over my stuff and I am sure I sound like a crazy woman, so I tell them while all of this is very formal,it's necessary to have a successful program.

I am sure if you find a way to say, yes I am not licensed, but I do run a preschool program and in order for it to run successfully, this is what is necessary to do so. or something like this.