MY   FAMILY  DAYCARE





     This is my daycare story, I hope you find it interesting and helpful. I started my daycare experience working part-time in a group center. Then I heard about having a family daycare in the home and decided to check it out at the library and with the city about home-based business by-laws. I knew there was a need for more daycare choices in our small city. I enjoyed childcare and working at home appealed to me, so I started the process of setting up a business!

      There were a few things that needed to be done around the house and yard to bring things up to the standards required. In February of 1988, I started the paper work, planned my program, and made a list of things I thought I needed. Thanks to a good employer at the group center and a close friend with her early childhood education, I had an idea of what to plan and what to buy. That was the fun part! There were guidelines to follow of course. I had a small stack of papers to hand in after having the fire marshall, building inspector, licensing officer, health inspector and zoning by-law person check things over. I needed a letter from my doctor, references, wired-in smoke alarms to install, etc.,etc., etc. Criminal record checks were not required back then. Now, you don't have to have all of those people come in to check your house over. In March, I put an ad in our local paper and got a couple of calls, by early summer I was busy. I have not advertised since that first time--word of mouth is still the best way to get business!

      After a few more family daycares opened, we started a support group. Then the child care resource and referral office opened and that was great for people looking for, or interested in doing, child care. Ours has a lending library too, which saves us from having to buy a lot of books, toys, and equipment. If you have any support groups in your area, be sure to take advantage of joining them. Most offer a wealth of information and support, as well as workshops to keep you informed and up-to-date. In Quesnel, the licensing officer stops in twice a year to see how things are going, maybe offer suggestions, and give encouragement. We can call her for information any time. The health unit is also great for advice on health issues with children. Then, if you are really on your own, there is always the internet with more than enough information.


     Operating my family daycare went very well. I was open Monday to Friday, from 7:30 to 5:30 and over the years this only varied slightly. I closed for two weeks holidays and for statuatory holidays (without pay).I had children that came every day, all day, just for the morning or just the afternoon, some for one or two days each week and some came after school.The most I had registered at one time was 24. For those of you who don't know about daycare in British Columbia, family daycares can have up to 7 children (certain ages) at one time. So of course, those 24 children came at different times and different days. After a couple of years, I started taking more holidays--two weeks in the summer, one or two weeks at Christmas and a week at spring break. You really need to take time for yourself to prevent burnout. The last few years, I have definitely slowed down (age does that to you!) Two years ago I went to part-time, working three days each week and having three to five children. Last year instead of raising my rates, I shortened my day.


Early Spring 2002
Summer 2001
Which Way?
Helping Hand

     Our home is on a pie shaped double lot---the back fence covers four lots behind us. This gives us plenty of room for gardens and play equipment. My husband built a large swing set and play house, plus I have a little tykes playcenter, large sand box, various riding toys, two tire swings, and two slides. The trees all around the fence give lots of shade and privacy. Part of the back deck is covered so if it's rainy we can play out there with a little tykes kitchen set, work bench, table, chairs, and a coupIe of small riding toys. Just recently our neighborhood got a small park, so now we can go down the street to that for a change. I operate my daycare on the main floor of our home, using the kitchen,living room, and one bedroom for a (part-time) play area and place to store some things. Check out a sample of my daily schedule. This is not written in stone, however I do try to keep to the order of events. If the time varies somewhat, I definitely don't panic. There are days that for one reason or another you cannot keep to your plan. If I was to give any advise (heaven forbid) it would be to have things prepared ahead of time.I can't say this enough times. Having small children of all ages, you will find that someday that little chickadee of a baby will want to stay velcroed to your hip (probably chirping) and having only one free hand and twenty extra pounds can change even the best laid plans! That neat art project with scissors, glue and paint just became a colouring page. Don't despair, they needed practice holding crayons anyway.

      If you are planning to start a daycare (more advice coming!), get some training or volunteer in a center.You don't have to spend a lot of money when you start, be very selective--go to garage sales, use your library, resource group, and there are so many things to use around your house. Treat it like the business it is and provide quality service. Be financially prepared to wait for things to start happening, but you can make a lot of money if you are willing to work hard and put in some long days. Clients come and go, put money away for the quiet times. I got into this business because I wanted to be at home and make money but my business has been successful because I like what I do and the little people I work with!

     I am now retired from daycare but thought I would leave this page up for interest.

     Some internet sites that I have found to be very helpful are:

Western Canada Child Care Association of British Columbia   A great site for caregivers and parents.
Canadian Child Care Federation    Another super site, be sure to check the 'site map'.
National Network for Child Care   Another great 'everything' page.
Preschool Education    Lots of fun stuff.
KinderArt   This is a great site for after school care.


     From these sites you should be able to find everything you need to start and operate your daycare or they will point you in the right direction!


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