SAHM - Private Home Childcare Provider

[Chantal]

Is there anyone else here that can relate? I chose to stay at home after Kaitlyn was born in 2002 - and provide daycare for other children, as our 2nd source of income.

I have been doing this since Kaitlyn was 10month old - and currently have a total of 4 children in my care. 3 of which are under the age of 3 (ALL in diapers, cept for my daughter, who I potty trained a few weeks ago) and 1 child who is schoolage and comes here 2-3 days a week.

My days fluctuate from totally insane, to wonderfully satisfying.

[aylhu]

My dd goes one morning a week to a home daycare provider whom I LOVE! She sounds a lot like you. Some days she is exhausted, but she loves the kids and you can tell. I'm really bummed she's going to stop in the fall. She's expecting and has to stop, which I understand. But she believes in APing, is flexible, feeds them organic food, accepts cloth diapers!

[KimInCanada]

I've been thinking of doing this, myself! How did you get started?

[Chantal]

Hi AYLHU & Kim!

Kim -- I first started out using the WeeWatch agency... but I did not have a favorable experience with them - and broke my contract and left their organization.

SO, once I went privately - I made up a contract and a financial agreement that are both legally binding (to protect myself from being ripped off or taken advantage of). And went from there. I have worked in daycare centres, therefore I am not at a loss for ideas for crafts, songs, routines, ect. I get the parents to supply me with playpens and diapers/wipes.

There is a great website you can check out too... www.canadianchildcare.com (http://www.canadianchildcare.com)

When were you thinking of starting up the daycare? I must admit, I am making as much money now, as I did when I worked full time. The only downfall - I dont get benefits, or pay into RRSP's right now. But Dh has a great benefit package, and we added liability coverage to our current house insurance (increased it by an extra 2MIL$). The tax man doesnt bug me much, because I keep every single receipt for anything touched or consumed by the daycare kiddies. We even write off our yard maintenance and housekeeping expenses too :) And now that I have a van, I can write off my milage for grocery shopping or field trips I might take with the kids :) (and gas receipts too). Its working out quite well - but the first year is VERY hard... I will not deny that.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions my dear :)

[KimInCanada]

Hi Chantal

:disbelief I've heard so many things about WeeWatch and a couple other agencies. Not that I have anything to hide, but I don't like the idea of them knowing 'everything' and watching over me like a hawk. KWIM? I've talked to a few people that have dealt with that agency and have not had good experiences either.

Thanks for the link! I'll check it out this afternoon. :thumbsup: The plan is to move this summer, so I won't be starting anything quite just yet until then. There is just no room here for more than my DS! LOL
I think I'm in the research stage and trying to find the best route to go and what I need to do, etc...

It's really awesome that everything is going so well for you!! GREAT! :rahrah:

[Kris]

I am liscenced here to do in home daycare, I just haven't opened yet not sure if I will or not.

[Chantal]

Kris - what do you mean when you say you are *licenced*? I meet the government standards for private home childcare... but I am not licenced. How does someone go about becoming licenced if they arent through an agency?

[Kris]

I am through the state. I have a licence I have posted and my house has been inspected by the State. I had to get a background check and my dh did as well. Had to take a class that was 8 hours long, get a TB test and three written references.

I can now deduct any toys I buy for my kids, my electricity, my house, my water/gas etc. I also can get money from state for a food program. Limitied to certain foods. (not a welfare/supplement program) I have to have a kid though and I don't so I don't take deductions yet.

[KimInCanada]

I think it's a little different for us than in the US, Chantal. We can do 'private' day care and still claim things, detuctions, etc...
Kris, because you are licenced through the state and you can get money etc... are you considered Non Profit or something similar?

[mcox]

I had a licensed daycare center for about 6 months. I LOVED it and it was wonderful to have my daughter with me every day. We had 14 children at one point but before we closed we were down to only 4 children, one of those, being my own. I couldn't afford to pay all of my expenses, pay my staff, utilities, etc with just the income from 3 children. I know that our biggest problem was our location. We thought that since there was no centers in the area we were in that people would be thrilled. What we found out was that the parents just preferred to take their children with them to the city they were working in. :( I have all of my daycare stuff in storage except for the outside play equipment. That is now in my backyared for my daughter to enjoy. I hope to eventually open another daycare. We would like to purchase a home with a basement and have the daycare down there. That is the only way I think I would do it again. I like the idea of having the daycare seperate from our living area.

Chantal, do you have any pics of your daycare? I would love to see them.

[Kris]

I think it's a little different for us than in the US, Chantal. We can do 'private' day care and still claim things, detuctions, etc...
Kris, because you are licenced through the state and you can get money etc... are you considered Non Profit or something similar?
no I would only do it for money. I would get money just for food but not sure excatly how it works its not like the state is paying my wages.

[Chantal]

Kim - I think that we can be licenced too... but the process to do so, is pretty extensive and expensive. I know that there are provincial guidelines, even for unlicenced private home daycares -- like we cannot legally have more than 5 children in our care, in our home - at one time (over and above our own children). Meaning... I can take in 5 kiddies at one time - and Kaitlyn doesnt factor into that amount.

THANK GOD for tax writeoffs! I can claim anything that is touched or consumed by a daycare child.

[Chantal]

Michelle - I do have pics...but unfortunately they include pics of the children...and I would need written permission to post them in a public forum. :( I have to remember to take pics of my living room - with just my daughter playing :)

[mcox]

Michelle - I do have pics...but unfortunately they include pics of the children...and I would need written permission to post them in a public forum. :( I have to remember to take pics of my living room - with just my daughter playing :)


I know all about the permission aspect of everything. Like you said, just take a few of just Kaitlyn in your living room. :)