Faith in Daycare?

**Country Kids** · 09-13-2011, 12:55 PM

The word Christian is in my daycare name. Everyday we pray, read a bible story, listen to christian music, watch Bible shows, etc. I think it has actually attracted people more to my program than turn them off.

**AnneCordelia** · 09-13-2011, 01:02 PM

If you want the freedom to do those things then you should definitely advertise as a Christian daycare. As an agnostic, I'm glad when people are upfront about religion! A friend/provider runs a Christian daycare and fills her spots very fast in my area. Personally, I would want to know that the daycare prayed, talked about God or was influenced on a daily basis by religion so that I could find a better fit for my family and avoid having to move my children to a different care scenario.

**Christian Mother** · 09-13-2011, 01:09 PM

For me..I was called to do this...everyone has a calling...this is mine. God is a huge part of who I am and how I run my biz. I put God first in my life so it makes since to incorp. that into my Daycare. It's what I want my families to see first in me. I don't think I've ever thought about how that would effect my biz or families that I take in. It just never really mattered to me. I just put out there what I offer and let the families come to me. I guess families looking for just a faith based ministry daycare or childcare would just call that type of daycare/childcare...at least most of the families that call me are. I have families in my care though that believe in God but aren't really active and I have others that are very active. It is important to established up front what type of care you give. And not wavier from it. If you want to have a faith based ministry incorp. in your daycare...do it!!

Do it bc it is what you where called to do.

Don't make it hard on your self. No one will judge you for it and if they do remember that only God can judge.

**permanentvacation** · 09-13-2011, 01:25 PM

When I advertised as a Christian daycare, I got less calls and more harrassing/annoying detailed questions from the calls/interviews I had. People were very concerned with every little detail of my beliefs and what exactly I was/wasn't going to teach the children regarding religion. I kept repeating myself that the children are only up to age 3! We are going to keep it simple with coloring pages, little Bible stories from the King James Versions of Children's Bible Stories, and watching Vegetales. But the parents drilled me on my core beliefs, the difference between Baptist and Methodist, and other really detailed things that children would never begin to comprehend and would not have ever been brought up in what I was planning to teach the children.

So, I simply went back advertising as a regular daycare ( not mentioning the Christian part) and during the interview, I mention that I listen to all kinds of music here, including Christian music and that we celebrate the Christian holidays. Many parents have asked if I teach a Christian curriculum ( asked in a nervous manner as if to say you DON'T teach a Christian curriuclum do you?) So I tell them no, I don't teach a Christian curriculum, but occassionally they will listen to Christian music and some of their activities in our regular curriculum are about the Christian holidays. Everyone has been fine with that. I had one set of parents that were another religionn (I forgot which religion they were) and they said that since their child was a baby, the child would only understand that there's nice music on.

**Meeko** · 09-13-2011, 01:31 PM

I'm in Utah and so I get a lot of calls asking if I am LDS as it is very important to most folks here. I am LDS and so that has always been a selling point for many parents. I do not advertise as being a faith based day care, but I make sure that I tell people at interview, that we are an LDS home day care and that we pray before meals and that Christ is taught as the center of Christmas/Easter activities etc. Never hide your faith. It will enhance your business for those who are looking for that kind of care and will be honest and up front for those who are not. I have had children in my care who's parents are atheists. But they still enjoyed the atmosphere here and I let them know that their children would never be forced to pray, but be expected to be respectful and quiet for those who do want to. They had no problem with that.

Just decide how much you want your faith to be a part of your business. I do not include religion in all our day to day activities. Some do.

**Growing1atime** · 09-13-2011, 01:34 PM

If you are looking to incorporate Christian teachings in your curriculum I do believe you have a responsibility to tell parents this. It is only right to let them decide wither or not they want their children taught Christian beliefs.

That being said, you should do as your heart tells you to do. If you want to run a Christian Daycare then DO IT! You will find parents who want this. It can be a great networking tool.

**daycare** · 09-13-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Growing1atime

If you are looking to incorporate Christian teachings in your curriculum I do believe you have a responsibility to tell parents this. It is only right to let them decide wither or not they want their children taught Christian beliefs.

That being said, you should do as your heart tells you to do. If you want to run a Christian Daycare then DO IT! You will find parents who want this. It can be a great networking tool.

ditto this... I think that if you intend to talk about your religous belifs then you should advertise as so or let parents know up front.

I do not offer any form of religous services, but I have had parents complain one easter when the kids came home with a picture of a cross on it that the easter bunny was carring??? I was a little shocked that they complained, but then understood that it was not my right to teach their children that as it was never discussed.......BTW I did not even notice the coloring sheet had a cross on it and nor did I think anything of it...

Go with your heart....

**nannyde** · 09-13-2011, 01:49 PM

Are you asking if it is going to make you money or loose you money?

I think it's like every other offering you have that is beyond basic care... you will have some that will like it and some that won't.

My policies are: We are a Christian family and observe Christian holidays and celebrations.

If a family is not Christian they most likely won't like it at my house.

**blessedmess8** · 09-13-2011, 01:50 PM

Definitely not fair to be faith based if you don't let parents know, but I am a Christian home. Like Christian Mother, I view this as my ministry! They are young so we aren't doing tons of in depth learning. Just basics! We pray before meals and before nap. We do simple bible stories and lessons. We sing Christian songs and I often play Christian music. I talk about God a lot. (I.E: God sent the rain for our flowers...) I have a long waiting list and my current parents love it. It may depend on what part of the country you are in, too. However, I believe if you do whatever God lays on your heart, he will bless you for your obedience!

**morgan24** · 09-13-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by Jenniferdawn

Hi everyone. I'm new here and so glad to have found you all. I'm in the process of setting up my daycare (just turned in the application) and a comment about faith on here had me thinking. For those of you who's faith in God is a big part of your life, do you bring that into your daycare or do you keep that separate? I'm having a hard time deciding whether to advertise as a Christian daycare or not...I would like the freedom to play worship music in the house, an celebrate Easter and Christmas with the children, yet I don't feel right about that if i don't advertise as a Christina daycare, and yet if I advertise as a Christian daycare, will that turn people off? Any advise would be very helpful.

I'm not christian but I'm very respectful to those who are and I would want to be informed if I was interviewing at a daycare and it was going to teach my children about God. I don't think you would have to advertise as a christian daycare, but I would let the parents know when I interviewed with them.

**SunflowerMama** · 09-13-2011, 02:45 PM

My dcps know we are a Christian home and celebrate Christian holidays.

My daycare name doesn't have Christian in it (on the brain though) but after the interview they know and it's on my website. We have a few items displayed that would give it away and I tell them in the interview that we pray before meals, listen to kids Christian music and watch our fair share of Veggie Tales

.

**mom2many** · 09-13-2011, 03:16 PM

I have never advertised as a Christian daycare, but we are a Christian home. I think it's like any other aspect which makes it a good fit for a family or not and they need to be told how you will be running your daycare. I have never found it to be detrimental and families have always been happy knowing their child is being cared for in a Christian home.

I don't teach bible lessons, but we do watch the Donut Man and Veggie Tales. I also play kids Christian music during the day and celebrate the Christian holidays.

My faith plays a huge part in who I am and I always have trusted God to bring the children He wants me to care for. Like others, I have considered this to be my ministry as well.

**Unregistered** · 09-13-2011, 05:02 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. I definitely feel that this is my ministry, (it's the only way I can get through some of those tough days!) But I don't feel called to specifically teach bible lessons, per say. I think I just want the freedom to say what i want to say, to be who I am with out being concerned that if i talk about "the beautiful flowers God made", Johnny's or Susie's mom will be upset. After all, I'm raising my children at the same time and I hate to look back at all my years of providing childcare, regretting that I sacrificed my parenting/faith values for my job. I'm an organic daycare too, so maybe between the two, I will be able to find the right clients. The one thing I need to work through is my current family I care for. I've had them for a year and they came to me with the understanding that I would not be incorporating my faith into the childcare. I'm not sure if I would be losing them in this transition...

**Jenniferdawn** · 09-13-2011, 05:04 PM

Aww, shoot, I just did a reply but forgot to sign in. It should be passed through here pretty soon. Just know it's me!

Faith in Daycare?

Faith in Daycare?

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