Starting a Evening Daycare

[cuttingitrite2]

My wife works full time during the day, but was considering opening up a evening and overnite daycare. Does anyone think that this is needed here in St.Marys County?? If so, how hard would it be able to open, and would it work if I have a finished basement?? We will also supply dinner, drinks and snacks. Let me know any advice that you may have. Thanks

[Chasey_Lane (Premo)]

Would your wife still work during the day? That would be an awful lot of stress on your household, I would think.

And, I'm sure there would be a need for it. Lots of people are on shift work or have PT evening gigs.

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

Would your wife still work during the day? That would be an awful lot of stress on your household, I would think.

And, I'm sure there would be a need for it. Lots of people are on shift work or have PT evening gigs.

X 100.

[kim2538]

You would have to obtain a child care license for those hours. If you watch 3 or less children, your wife could sleep at night. If you watch 4 or more, someone would have to stay awake all night with the children. The children also have to have beds, not cots or mats, to sleep on and children under the age of 24 months would have to have a crib, not a portacrib or playpen. Hope this helps and if she's interested in doing it, have her call Office of Child Care at 301-475-3770.

[cuttingitrite2]

Yeah, she would keep her day job, but she is very loving and like me, just likes to help people. She works with alot of young single moms who do not work because they can not find daycare for the evenings. And because they have children, thats really the only time that they can work. So I am thinking that she is really ready to do this. My sister would be a aide for her, and we would set up a side bed for her to sleep in the dayroom, while the children are asleep. We would supply dinner and a snack but not sure what the fee would be yet. Right now we just want to see how many people reply for this and see if there is a real need.

[cuttingitrite2]

Yes, she would definetly do that. Do you know how long that would take, to get a license ?? And I was thinking that I could make a few bunk beds myself... And Freecycle.com could help furnish the daycare as well...

[bigjoe64]

I would be interested. Please post details when available.

[TBone]

I think this is an incredible idea.

[Nanny Pam (Premo)]

I am no-where near you, but we have several nighttime childcare homes in this area. All are successful.

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by cuttingitrite2

Yes, she would definetly do that. Do you know how long that would take, to get a license ?? And I was thinking that I could make a few bunk beds myself... And Freecycle.com could help furnish the daycare as well...

I know there's some rule about having someone actually stay awake...I will defer to kim2538's post about it being for 4+ children, since I don't know for sure. That means, not asleep in the same room, but actually awake. Still, taking in 3 kids could make a big difference to someone.

Your wife will probably want to quit her day job, though...it's a lot of work to do both. But she can decide that after she gets into it.

The most time consuming thing is getting the fingerprint check back on all the adults in the household, plus any assistants. All the rest, training and so forth can take place while you are waiting for that. Once the prints come back the Office of Child Care will order a fire inspection and set up their own inspection.

Fingerprint check depends on how backed up things get. Could be 3-4 weeks, could be a couple of months.