How Much Trouble Would I Have Finding Clients as A Male??

[iameatingjam]

I recently lost my job, my girlfriend works full time as a manager at a cash store. The last couple months I have largely been assuming the role of stay at home dad watching our 5 year old, but my savings and unemployment insurance aren't going to last forever.

Originally I saw how much my girlfriend was paying for her child care and knowing how much she hated her job I suggested that as an option for her. Later I started thinking why couldn't I do the same thing? I'm 23 and don't have much experience but I have learned a lot about dealing with kids in the last 6 months, and I think am capable of learning a lot more.

I'm pretty good looking , Im not intimidating or scary or suspicious looking but I'm fairly socially awkward. I checked laws in my local area and I could take care of up to 6 children without a license. Minus one, thats 5. Child care in the area is usually around $45 a day. My lady paid $30 a day, and the sitter didn't even play with her or anything, she just sat there and watched TV.

I'm thinking I could do better than that, we have a lot of toys, lots of fun stuff, I like to play, I like to cook. I figure I could charge $25 a kid a day, cheaper than anybody else. 5x25 that's enough for now until I get some more experience under my belt. I'm looking into getting us a new place for this purpose. I'm also planning to take a first aid course first. I don't have a criminal record

There's one big problem : I'm male

I would like to know how much of a hurdle this is going to be to overcome, from some people who would know. Any information would be helpful including some general tips if you think it is worth going for. Thanks.

[Thriftylady]

We have one male provider here on the boards. He does pretty well I think. But there are two kinds of people. The ones who won't even consider it due to you being a male, and the ones who won't bat an eye. I guess I would say you could try it for awhile. Perhaps you can check into it farther while still getting unemployment?

[LysesKids]

I recently lost my job, my girlfriend works full time as a manager at a cash store. The last couple months I have largely been assuming the role of stay at home dad watching our 5 year old, but my savings and unemployment insurance aren't going to last forever.

Originally I saw how much my girlfriend was paying for her child care and knowing how much she hated her job I suggested that as an option for her. Later I started thinking why couldn't I do the same thing? I'm 23 and don't have much experience but I have learned a lot about dealing with kids in the last 6 months, and I think am capable of learning a lot more.

I'm pretty good looking , Im not intimidating or scary or suspicious looking but I'm fairly socially awkward. I checked laws in my local area and I could take care of up to 6 children without a license. Minus one, thats 5. Child care in the area is usually around $45 a day. My lady paid $30 a day, and the sitter didn't even play with her or anything, she just sat there and watched TV.

I'm thinking I could do better than that, we have a lot of toys, lots of fun stuff, I like to play, I like to cook. I figure I could charge $25 a kid a day, cheaper than anybody else. 5x25 that's enough for now until I get some more experience under my belt. I'm looking into getting us a new place for this purpose. I'm also planning to take a first aid course first. I don't have a criminal record

There's one big problem : I'm male

I would like to know how much of a hurdle this is going to be to overcome, from some people who would know. Any information would be helpful including some general tips if you think it is worth going for. Thanks.

Getting the first aid/CPR certificate before starting will help believe me... 2nd, undercutting by almost half regardless of gender could backfire down the line when you do decide to raise fees (plus you need to be able to cover your costs including extra elec, rent etc)... Look at it this way, a male comes along asking almost half of what most people are charging - would you hire yourself if you were a parent for such a low rate?

3rd, are you planning on feeding the children off these wages or are you going to ask parents to provide meals. Since your lady's provider didn't do anything with kids for $30 day, how will parents look at your $25... again undercutting in a lot of places means lack of services (not always, but a lot of times). Just my take as a single mom

[iameatingjam]

I was planning on including one meal and snacks. I know I wouldn't be making much profit off that number but my thinking was since I don't have a lot to throw down on the table I would just reduce price to entice some clients, then a couple months down the road I can say " I have been doing this for so long with so many kids " and raise prices up to 35.

But opinions on that seem to be unanimous - bad idea.

[Thriftylady]

I was planning on including one meal and snacks. I know I wouldn't be making much profit off that number but my thinking was since I don't have a lot to throw down on the table I would just reduce price to entice some clients, then a couple months down the road I can say " I have been doing this for so long with so many kids " and raise prices up to 35.

But opinions on that seem to be unanimous - bad idea.

Don't forget that you can tax deduct a lot if you do it right. Get Tom Copeland's books he goes into great detail. Rent/house payment, utilities, food or standard meal deduction for the kids. All that can be deducted. The utilities and such are on the time space percentage, but it all adds up! You want every deduction you can get since you will be paying all of your own taxes, social security and such.

[Controlled Chaos]

I agree with don't under charge. Parents don't take prices being upped very well. Especially if you do it before a year. Annual small increases are not as upsetting typically.

Read all the licensing rules in your state. Figure out what you want to offer - Prek, outdoor adventures, crafts, organic, science experiments etc Make a website. Advertise. Use pics of your little girl our projects you do with her in your advertising. Not necessarily her face, so it doesn't look you only have one child you are caring for at first glance.

If a man looked professional and knowledgeable I wouldn't have a problem using him for childcare. Your lack of knowledge would be concern for me - but if you add one child at a time and take a few classes on childcare...maybe. Caring for 6 children is very different than 1

Best of luck.

[DaveA]

Dang it- got halfway into typing and lost it. Here we go again.

Don't undercharge: it ticks off other providers who can be a big help if you stay with it and attracts parents that only care about "cheap" care (usually the biggest headaches). Charge the average for your area. You should have a childcare resource and referral agency in your area. They can help with rate info. They also probably have classes and trainings on childcare there.

Get CPR/ First Aid certified. If you don't state you are upfront it will be one of the first questions asked. Local hospitals or Fire Departments will know community class schedules.

As for if you will have trouble because you're a guy- the short answer is Yes but not prohibitively so. I tell people 50-75% of people have no issue with it, 15-25% will be surprised but willing to listen, and the rest will be opposed no matter what. I recommend putting your name in any ads you do. When my name is in my ads I get less responses but far fewer hangups when the person on the phone realizes I'm the one providing care. Honestly the "newbie" issue will be a bigger one than being a guy. Tailor your sales pitch to your strengths and what you have to offer and you should be able to overcome both issues.

Good Luck.

[Unregistered]

I bet you would do better if you got a job somewhere working with kids before you start on your own. So you can say, 'I worked at the babysitting corner at the Y' etc. Even if its for a short time. At least you'd have some sort of experience as well as a reference that you could give a parent if you wanted. Right now you don't have anything to back up your statement that you know how to work with kids, you've done it before, and you are good at it. I'd say the same to anyone male or female, honestly. But, I can see how this could be even more important for a man because of the general idea that it's not a man's job. You may have to go further to prove yourself than a woman would. But, I really do believe any person would do better (male or female) to have some sort of background to present potential families- work experience, classes, volunteer work, etc.

[LysesKids]

I recently lost my job, my girlfriend works full time as a manager at a cash store. The last couple months I have largely been assuming the role of stay at home dad watching our 5 year old, but my savings and unemployment insurance aren't going to last forever.

Originally I saw how much my girlfriend was paying for her child care and knowing how much she hated her job I suggested that as an option for her. Later I started thinking why couldn't I do the same thing? I'm 23 and don't have much experience but I have learned a lot about dealing with kids in the last 6 months, and I think am capable of learning a lot more.

I'm pretty good looking , Im not intimidating or scary or suspicious looking but I'm fairly socially awkward. I checked laws in my local area and I could take care of up to 6 children without a license. Minus one, thats 5. Child care in the area is usually around $45 a day. My lady paid $30 a day, and the sitter didn't even play with her or anything, she just sat there and watched TV.

I'm thinking I could do better than that, we have a lot of toys, lots of fun stuff, I like to play, I like to cook. I figure I could charge $25 a kid a day, cheaper than anybody else. 5x25 that's enough for now until I get some more experience under my belt. I'm looking into getting us a new place for this purpose. I'm also planning to take a first aid course first. I don't have a criminal record

There's one big problem : I'm male

I would like to know how much of a hurdle this is going to be to overcome, from some people who would know. Any information would be helpful including some general tips if you think it is worth going for. Thanks.

BTW, getting a different place for childcare can be good or bad depending on the area, but remember it could take awhile to fill your spots just as it does for us females; can you honestly say you will have enough money to pay rent and live off of while trying get clients if it takes 4, 5 or even 7months? Something to consider before moving to start this endeavor... I also agree that getting experience somewhere else will help before jumping into this

[mommiebookworm]

I agree with the others. Don't set your prices so low. And, have you given any thought to the ages? Do you have experience with infants?

[Thriftylady]

I do agree with the others as far as experience. I would have a hard time leaving my child with a 23 year old care provider with none. I am speaking from someone who had their first child at 18 and remembering how overwhelmed I felt often with just one. Be it right or wrong, I would probably pull from that experience.