From Stay-at-Home Mom to In-Home Daycare Owner

There are a lot of moms who WANT to stay home and raise their own kids but still need to bring money into the house.

So here’s an option people overlook: in-home daycare.

And before anybody says, “Oh, I could babysit a few kids!”

STOP.

I didn’t say babysit.

I said run a DAYCARE.

There’s a difference.

Depending on your state’s rules and the ages of your own children and the children in your care, you may be able to care for several children in your home. If you had seven paying children at $200 a week, that’s $1,400 a week GROSS. Even six would be $1,200.

And in many areas, $200 a week is still less than what parents are paying for childcare.

But here’s the part people need to understand:

It WILL be a job.

If you want this to actually make money and last, you need two mindsets: a business mindset and a teacher mindset.

The business side means contracts, set tuition, payment policies, hours, vacation days, taxes, insurance, recordkeeping and following whatever licensing or childcare regulations apply where you live. You also need to understand which legitimate business expenses may be deductible instead of assuming everything in your house suddenly becomes a tax write-off.

And you HAVE to enforce your policies.

If tuition is due Friday, it’s due Friday. If you close at 5:30, you close at 5:30. You cannot run a successful business with a different rule for every family.

Then there’s the teacher side.

These children shouldn’t just be sitting in your living room watching TV all day because their parents are paying you to “watch them.”

Have a schedule. Plan activities. Read books. Do art. Teach colors, numbers, letters, manners and independence. Feed them properly. Give them a routine. Keep your home clean and organized.

Make parents feel like their child is getting something GOOD from being there.

Do that and word gets around.

Good childcare is ALWAYS valuable because parents need someone who is dependable, trustworthy and actually likes working with children.

And one of the biggest benefits? Your own children are right there with you.

You can be present for their childhood AND build an income.

But don’t go into it thinking, “I get to stay home.”

No.

You get to WORK from home.

There is a BIG difference.

Treat it like babysitting and you’ll probably burn out.

Treat it like a business, run your home like a classroom, and take pride in the care you provide?

You might be surprised at what you can build right inside your own house.

And if you’re seriously thinking about starting an in-home daycare and have questions, leave me a comment. I spent 34 years in childcare, including running an in-home daycare before owning two childcare centers. If I can point you in the right direction or answer something from experience, I’m happy to help.