Hello from Florida!

[abcteach1981]

Hi Everyone,

Is this a new forum? I hadn't seen it before. There is one at Daycareforums.com or something, but they keep bouncing my registration due to "selling" apparently (though I'd love to know what I was supposedly trying to sell as I wouldn't be opening a daycare if I had anything! LOL!).

Anyhow, I am currently a public school teacher in Florida, but I am going to be opening a home daycare in October. I'm having my first baby this August and I'm so excited.

I am in the process of getting the licensing done for the state (just need to finish the CPR/First Aid class). I really hope I can find some good support and advice here on the challenges of running a home daycare. There really aren't any groups that I can find in Central Florida.

[lty83]

Hi ABCTeach -

Welcome to the OwnADaycare.com forums! We are a brand new forum that actually just launched this past sunday.

Congratulations on pursuing your home daycare and on your upcoming baby!

It's good you are getting your license and going through all the training - thats very important.

Have you worked as a daycare provider before or just as a public school teacher so far?

Thanks for joining!

Loren

[abcteach1981]

Hi! Thanks. I've just worked as a school teacher. I've taught 3rd grade, 7th, 9th and 12th grade English. I also have my masters in instructional technology and I'm a National Board Certified Teacher. I currently teach online, but that is not a good fit for me, so I'm leaving that in June and opening the daycare when the baby is about 6 weeks old.

I've not worked as a daycare provider before professionally, but I have 5 younger sisters (the youngest is 12 now) and I did a lot of babysitting and nanny work during college. I also ran a cleaning service (one woman show really haha) during college, so I have a bit of experience trying to drum up clients. Word of mouth is KEY!! This is all so very overwhelming, but I am up for the challenge!

[lty83]

Well it sounds like you definately have the experience plus more necessary to run your own daycare. You will probably do great in the industry because of your teaching background and past business ownership experience.

I think the one thing many people forget when they are running a home daycare is that it is still a business and must be run as one. Sometimes people get very lax because they are working from home - however it really sounds like this won't be an issue for you.

Word of mouth is key - you are sooooo right! If you want some info on licensing and other stuff in Florida you can check out: Start a Daycare in Florida - Licensing - Regulations - Laws - OwnADaycare.com

[akmh81]

Goodmoring ABC teach. Congrats on your first baby and starting your own daycare. I wish you the best. Good luck and God Bless.

[ladonnaa]

Hello, Everyone. My name is LaDonna Allison. I am getting a Associate Degree in Early Childhood Develpoment. I'm planning on getting a job as a teacher assistant. I also going to get my BA and MA in education. I'm going to become an Special education teacher. I'm planning to work with kids with ADHD and ADD. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant. I been doing that for 14 years. I have my work cut out for me, but i will make. Im planning on opening a daycare also. I wish everyone best of luck with opening a daycare.