The laughter of children, the scattered arts and crafts supplies—these are the sights and sounds a preschool teacher anticipates each day. But there is so much behind the scenes that compromise our teachers’ ability to pursue the careers they love—growing class sizes, overworked staff, dwindling pay, and more.
Preschool teachers also face limited control over curriculum and hours, and unlikely opportunities for advancement. They are forced to make difficult choices between their life passion and their ability to make ends meet.
As an ambitious child care expert, you too may be facing emotional burnout and financial challenges. With these mounting burdens, you might even consider sacrificing your dreams. But there is another choice. You can open your own home daycare, earn the income you deserve, and continue shaping young lives.
We get it. Striking out on your own can sound like an overwhelming, unconventional path filled with unknown pitfalls. But the possibility of shaping your own child care career is exactly what makes opening a home daycare so rewarding. Plus, when you are in control of your business, the benefits are tremendous.
Create the style that works for you and the children
Have you worked at a facility where you didn’t think the daily activities were appropriate for the children? No longer. Whether you prefer focusing on play-based learning or you want to emphasize the outdoor experience, your home daycare can be structured based on your passions and the interests of your children. Laynie Leek, a NeighborSchools Partner, says this is one of the aspects she loves most about running her own daycare “I believe in letting the kids play and allowing them to learn through exploration,” Laynie explains. “To me, it’s more important that the kids are developing socially and emotionally at this stage.”
Finally earn the income you deserve
Preschool teachers are notoriously under-compensated, despite managing crowded classrooms and busy schedules. By opening a home daycare, you eliminate many of the burdensome overhead expenses of a child care center and set your own fee structure. In fact, some home daycare Providers earn over $90,000 per year.
Be a leader and an entrepreneur
Entrepreneurial endeavors—and successes—are on the rise. Inc. Magazine has reported an 84 percent increase in entrepreneurs aged 30 to 39, revealing a growing trend of people pursuing professional ambitions earlier in their career. At child care centers, where just one director typically oversees numerous teachers, the leadership opportunities are few and the likelihood of advancement is limited. By running your own daycare, you will finally assume a leadership position, while still maintaining an active role with the children in your care.
Meet people in your community
With a community built around your home daycare, you will become an integral member of your neighborhood. You will have the opportunity to meet and get to know other families in your area, who will come to rely on your services and expertise.
Build a child care career around a job you love
Few people can say that they are truly passionate about their work. You can build your home daycare around your unique interests and preferences. You will be excited to go to work each day, proud of your contributions, and accomplished in your career. “Being a daycare Provider is a lot of work,” says Tasha Raye Ryan. “But I’ve found it very rewarding to develop a program that I’m proud of and a business that supports my family. Plus, I still get to work with children every day, and that’s just what I love to do.”
As a preschool teacher, it may be difficult to imagine how you will continue pursuing your child care career interests while faced with growing demands for your time and resources. But you deserve to continue utilizing your talents, and your community needs your skills and expertise. Consider launching your own home daycare and defining a bright future for yourself and the children you will serve.
Want to learn more about opening a home daycare? Contact us today.