There was so much uncertainty when I decided to open my day home. We had already made the decision that our children would not return to daycare (a story for another time). My work experience with children was limited to having been an educational assistant (one and half years; At that time, having early childhood education was not a requirement for working as an educational assistant in schools), many years of babysitting as a teenager, and being a young mother. But, being a single income family was not feasible for us, so discussions took place between my husband and me as our modest savings dwindled, and it became crucial for me to find a way to generate income.
Feeling the financial pressure, I began searching the “help wanted” ads in the newspaper, expecting to find evening and weekend jobs. But to my surprise, I came across an ad that offered an opportunity to work from home and take care of my own children; after contacting the ad and scheduling a meeting, my mind raced with thoughts on how I could impress and secure the job, and my older sister, who ran a daycare in a different province, kindly shared all her contracts and menu planning with me, which further fueled my determination to make a positive impression and solve our dilemma by offering a daycare solution.
When the family arrived, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement, but as I began showing them my work from the school I had been employed at, the mother interrupted and asked about my interests in baking, crafts, my role as a mom, and more; instantly, my excitement grew, and I enthusiastically shared my passion for all things artistic, my parenting style, love for the outdoors. A smile spread across her face. This family was amazing! They were parents I could truly collaborate with, and their confidence in me gave me a tremendous boost. After discussing payment and agreeing to a three-month trial period, I embarked on this new journey with enthusiasm.
That family became my starting point, and to this day, we remain friends. My evolution as a daycare provider continued from day one, and I can honestly say that I am a better mother and person because of the decision I made. Never in all my years did I expect to love this role as much as I do, and now, heading into my 27th year, I have faced numerous challenges and obstacles, but I have absolutely no regrets.
Setting up my day home and growing it to what it is today took a lot of hard work and learning along the way. Below, you’ll find some options for literature that could help you along your way as well, in both physical and digital form (alongside a kindle for the digital option). Plus, the links help support the blog!