Opening in 3 Weeks: Any Advice?

[Christina72684]

I'm opening my first (hopefully of many!) daycare home in 3 weeks. Does anyone have any advice? I'm still working on my parent packet/handbook and could always use advice on that. I've set up everything in the house, but I'm sure there are more practical ways that I don't know about, as far as the best places to put things. Oh, and I haven't even begin to think about my menu yet!

So basically, is there anything that you wish you knew about when you opened your daycare?

Thanks! Christina

[Meeko]

Honestly....you will learn as you go. The perfect room set up may not seem so perfect after a couple weeks. You'll start to see what will work best when the kids are actually there and using everything. I've been at this for 25 years and I still move things around etc as I watch and learn and try to make the day flow more smoothly.

Start now to make sure you follow your contract to the letter. Don't make any rules you are not prepared to enforce. This is not always easy, but it will make life better for you in the long run.

This is just my opinion...but even though the kids don't care what I look like during the day...I still dress well and put on make-up every day. Casual, but neat, clean clothes.

I have day care friends who wear old sweats all day, no make-up etc, hair in a baseball cap... and it works for them. However, I personally feel that I get taken more seriously by the parents when I dress professionally. I am however, seriously thinking of getting myself a "uniform". I have a friend who ordered herself a bunch of cute t-shirts with her day care name on them and a cute logo. Then she wears casual pants with them. It's free advertising when she goes out and she is keeping her other clothes longer as they are not being snotted on, thrown up on etc etc!!! I think I may do something along the same lines. I have considered buying myself some aprons and having my business name put on them. It will keep my clothes clean and give me pockets for all the clutter i seem to collect as I go about my day!

Anyway......don't stress too much with getting things perfect right off the bat. Find what works for YOU! Good luck with your new venture!

[laundrymom]

I wear scrub tops and cotton pants. My shoe of choice are vibram five fingers and I do wear a double ponytail daily. When my parents see me on the weekends, with my almost waist length curls and full makeup they say, wow, no wonder you pull it up. Lol. You have a lot of hair. Lol


I would get a loose plan, liquid so you can tweak it as needed. Just remember, smile when you greet them and focus on the positives as much as possible. Good luck.

[Blackcat31]

Put yourself first.
You are your business.
You are the one who will reap the rewards and suffer the consequences.
You are the one who makes the rules/policies.
You are the one who needs to enforce them.
You are the only one who can decide what you are willing to deal with or not deal with.
You must do what works for you.

Parents will come and go, you will see/hear/learn alot about how differently parents choose to do things. You cannot change them. You can share with them, support them and listen to them but you cannot change them. You will love some, tolerate some and wish for some to leave as soon as they come. You will form sometimes long lasting relationships and be an important part of the lives of the families and children you provide services to. You will cry when some leave and celebrate others' departures but ultimately YOU still need to always do what works for YOU.

Everyone has a story, a special circumstance, a "just this once", and that is where the do what works for YOU comes in.......

Good luck!!

[Cat Herder]

The best advice I have is to use the search function here often.

There really is TONS of advice, contract samples, curriculum ideas etc. here for the taking.

This is definitely a treasure trove of information.

Good luck with your Daycare!!

[Christina72684]

Thanks!

Thank you all so much! Such great advice!