Starting in Home Daycare and Just Found Out I'm Pregnant

I would pass on this. My sister went through this when her childcare provider became pregnant. My sister agreed to use her as she said she had a plan in place for when she had the baby. Everytime she was sick, my sister had to take off work. Then when the baby came, she had no plan.

I think if I were looking for in-home daycare, I would pass on someone who is pregnant because 1) the provider cannot be absolutely sure that she will only have to close for one week; and 2) I would assume that the provider would be sleep-deprived and stressed for a period of time and I would worry how that would affect her disposition with the children; 3) I would wonder about your husband's child care abilities and disposition, assuming I had not met him.

Congrats on the pregnancy! Do you have the option of finding someone who could cover in your home? A college student needing some extra money? Someone who could come in, work with the kids ahead of time and get to know the families and then be there when you can't?

I am currently looking for a new childcare after we moved and here are my number one decision making points: Safety (aka licensing and background checks), Reliability (I can't just take a week of when my provider closes down) and Curriculum (fun and educational).
I would pass on someone that is pregnant, UNLESS you had a plan in place that would ensure that you stay open a) if you develop complications, b) during maternity leave, c) if anything comes up with the baby.
Maybe you can bring a partner on board or hire an assistant teacher/ sub for those times...

So if you had a plan, it would not be a problem - if your plan consists of closing... sorry, you'd be off my list.

I would think it would depend on how desperate the parents were for an in home daycare. To be honest, if my options were a pregnant provider (who could have potential complications that would shut her down for a prolonged period, I was on bedrest the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy) and a non-pregnant provider I would go with the non-pregnant person just for the continuity of coverage. Plus, your infant will count in how many babies you can take, so parents with little ones might be put off. Don't forget you are not supposed to be doing much lifting (generally more than 20 pounds) so picking up kiddos to change them, put them in high chairs, etc will be a no no. Congratulations, I hope it all works out well for you!

I think since you already know what the bottom line is that you will be fine. I know that there are many many hoops to jump through to get a license for a home child care business. I do however also know that you will only be able to have, is it 6 under school age with a newborn? or less?.

That's not going to be much profit for you and your family. It will still be a burgeoning home business and will still make money for you, just not near as much.

I think you will do fine and with the support of your friend as your substitute and your hubby there for the kids to be familiar with I think you have all the bases covered.

Be up-front with potential clients. People enrolling in home daycares realize that the provider will be taking time off for vacations, etc. and they will have to find alternate care. It sounds like you are already thinking about what you will do, try to get that firmed up pretty well so that you have clear answers to questions. Of course, it will be hard to judge when you'll need that week or so off so everyone will have to be flexible.

Good Luck.

M

Not to be mean, but one look at you when I walk in that door for an interview, and I'm not hiring you. As someone else said, you're going to have appointments that you'll need to attend - which will afffect my ability to work. Then you'll have the baby - and even if your husband is there to help - I'm HIRING you - not him - and it would sway me to not use your services.

I don't mean to sound rude, just giving you an honest, blunt opinion of what I would think and do.

just as some background, I have two kids - both have been in-home daycare providers looking after them while working. my last provider ended up closing her business due to multiple doctor apt's for her daughter. This may have jaded me harsh view of who I choose moving forward.

If I were looking for daycare and considering you, it would depend whether I only needed you short term or long term. If I only needed you until you were ready to deliver, then it wouldn't be a problem for me. If I needed you after your due date, I probably would keep a short-duration contract with you or find someone else altogether if your plan is to "take only a week off."

My concerns would be unforeseen circumstances keeping you out longer than you anticipate, and honestly I think giving yourself only a week off after delivering a baby is shorting yourself, your new baby, and your family. That's not enough bonding time or time to get used to a new routine with a new baby nor is it enough time to establish a new dynamic in the family. You also will probably need a real maternity leave to heal. Suppose you end up requiring a c-section? Or a more serious complication? Or the baby is delivered early or has some other serious complications and needs your attention? I would also NOT be comfortable with anyone in your household caring for my child ie. your husband stepping in for you "to help out." It's not professional nor appropriate.

However, in your contract, if you establish that you have someone to cover for you during a maternity leave whether it's two weeks or four weeks or six weeks or however long you and your baby and family need, even if it gets extended due to unforeseen circumstances, I would probably go with you. That means that you would have to find another licensed daycare provider that you trust and has a great reputation that would be willing to take your clients during your maternity leave and work out a short-term contract with them, and work it into your contracts with your own clients.

I just wanted to mention that when I was looking for a home day care if the husband was in the household I did not choose that agency. Don't jump on me for the personal choice, my guy and I just made this decision so I am sure there are people like myself. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I am sure you will still have many people it could just stop a few. I know your husband is probably a fabulous provider etc. just thought it was worth a mention.

Well you can go ahead and complete your licensing.
But per your being pregnant, you need to have an "assistant" probably.
You have 2 kids, (I assume the 6 year old is in school), and your infant, will count too. And there are ratios per children to adult, when having child care. And if you exceed that child:adult ratio, you WILL need to have an assistant/another provider.

I would hesitate to hire a pregnant Home child care provider.
The woman would need to go to pre-natal appointments, and who knows what will arise while she is pregnant or how it will impact her activity levels etc. And once she does have her infant, then what? How will that impact how the other children in her care, are cared for and supervised?
And, if/when a pregnant Provider needs to close, then what? The clients will need to find another, care provider.

Your Husband taking paternity leave... per your idea- well can he even do that with his job? Will he do that, AND handle your daycare responsibilities? For how long and how many weeks???? And will the clients feel fine about that? And how will that affect their kids?

Then, for you: CAN you, actually take care of other kids, while caring for your own kids AND an infant???? You had a resale business while pregnant and had your other infant... but that business does not entail- talking care of other people's kids. Just yours.

Me: I did childcare when my eldest was a Toddler, and even while I was pregnant with my 2nd child. I did that until I was 8 months pregnant with my 2nd child. THEN, I quit. My tummy was just too huge for me to lumber around with and I was tired and I was needing to be off my feet. But I was only taking care of 2 kids. Toddlers. Being I already had those clients/kids even before I was pregnant, the client and their kid stayed on with me, as the babysitter. This was at my home. But once I was 8 months pregnant, I told them I can't keep doing it. And I stopped doing child care.
I had had a c-section as well with that pregnancy.

Or an option would be: to do your daycare on part-time hours. Instead of ALL day watching other kids, and while you are pregnant and after... just do half-days or something.

The thing is: you do not know how you will feel per your pregnancy or what will arise. And you will need to take time off for prenatal appointments etc. And clients, need a regular schedule that they can rely on weekly. So how will that impact, them?

Just to offer a little positivity, I wouldn't pass on someone who was pregnant. It would be best, of course, if you could offer them a suggestion of another place that they could take their kids in that week. It says a lof about you if you're upfront about it. Could your sis get the proper education etc. to be ready by the time your baby comes? I know location is probably a concern too because you'll want some space. An after school care mom I know closed for 2 weeks after her baby came. Then, she had an aid.
I have a friend who does home day care and is pregnant with her 3rd. Good luck to you!

I think that as long as you tell parents your plan it should be okay. Is this your first baby? If so then you might need more than a few weeks. Having that first really throws you for a loop lol. I think you'd be under a lot of stress trying to get used to a baby while watching other kids. If you already have kids then you know what it's like and a little more prepared for what's to come. But I would just be upfront about it and explain that you will be able to continue to watch the other children regardless of your personal situation. And Congrats!!!!