Are you a stay-at-home-mom looking to make money? Learn how providing childcare in your home can earn extra income!
If you’re looking to quit your job or have already been staying home with your kids and the ends aren’t meeting, providing childcare may be an option for you to earn extra income! This year I started taking care of an infant in addition to my own two children in my home. I was able to earn money each week and continue to spend quality time with my kids. Here’s how I did it.
Do I Need to Be Licensed to Provide Childcare?
It depends on what state you live in and how many children you want to care for. In Minnesota (where I live), you do not need to be licensed to care for children from just one family; licensing is required to care for children from more than one family.
How Much Money Can I Make Providing Childcare?
The amount of money you can make providing childcare depends on where you live, how many children you plan to care for, the children’s, and how often you plan to provide care.
Location: Daycare rates will be more expensive in more populated areas. It can also be more expensive in areas with childcare shortages. You can search childcare rates in your state by county to find average daily rates in your area.
Number of Children: The more children you watch the more money you can make because childcare is charged per child per day. However, you’ll need to consider the age and number of your children. How many more can you reasonably care for? What ages would be most appropriate? Are you looking to start a licensed daycare or just care for one family?
Age: Infant care is typically more expensive than toddler care. However, this is because an infant requires more attention and hands-on care than a toddler. While the term “infant” is used for children 0-12 months, in the childcare world, infant care can be for any child under 16 months.
Frequency: Childcare is charged per day. The more days you provide care, the more money you make. Before looking for a family to provide care to, decide if you’re willing to provide full-time or just part-time care. Also, consider if you’re willing to provide daycare year-round or just during the school year.
Receiving Payment For Childcare
There is no standard for how and when to receive payment for childcare. Some daycares ask for weekly or biweekly payments. Some providers ask for checks, Venmo, or cash. Make sure you have a plan for payment worked out with parents before the first day of care.
Daycare facilities often charge a flat rate fee for care whether the child comes to daycare or not. This is to make sure they can keep a balanced budget to pay for the facility and staff costs. If you are choosing to provide unlicensed childcare in your home, it’s more appropriate to only have families pay for the days you provide care. That means, if the child was sick or the parents ended up keeping them home on a day they planned to come in, you would not charge them for that day since you didn’t provide a service. Make sure, however, that you work out a communication expectation with parents so they let you know at least the night before if their child is not coming to your home.
What Do I Need to Start Providing Childcare?
To start providing in-home childcare, you will need to have the basics for an extra child. If the child naps, make sure you have a quiet room for them to sleep in and a place for them to sleep like a cot, Pack ‘n Play, or a crib. I’ve linked these on Amazon but you can usually find a used crib or Pack ‘n Play at garage sales or on Facebook Marketplace for cheaper. You might also consider a sound machine for the room.
Additionally, you will need to have age-appropriate foods available. Most daycares require parents to provide formula or breast milk for their child. If the child is also eating meals and snacks, those would be your responsibility. Before accepting a child, make sure you ask parents about food allergies and sensitivities.
Parents’ Responsibility
Most daycares require parents to provide diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes. Parents are also responsible for providing formula or breast milk and bottles to infants. If you would like parents to bring anything else like bibs, burp rags, teething toys, or Tylenol, make sure to address this with parents before the first day.
You can also ask parents to provide a car seat or car seat base for travel. Make sure to address this with both parents before accepting a child. Everyone has different comfort levels with others driving their children around. Discuss places you might visit (library, parks, etc.), distance traveled, and any car seat specifications with parents before trying to take the child out for a trip. If you do get a car seat, make sure it fits in your car alongside your own children’s car seats.
How to Market Your Unlicensed In-Home Childcare
Because of a significant childcare shortage, there are always many families looking for care. You can find a family to provide childcare to by word of mouth, or social media. To find a family, I made a post offering childcare in a local mom’s group on Facebook. I also commented on other posts asking for childcare providers in the area. No matter how you find a family, make sure they are aware that you are just a stay-at-home mom providing unlicensed daycare. As an unlicensed provider, you do not have to follow state guidelines and are not inspected. This may make some parents nervous. Other parents may like the idea of having their child get one-on-one attention in a family setting.
Important Topics To Discuss Before Accepting Care of a Child
Pick-up/Drop-off Times: What times will these be? Will they ever vary? If they vary, how much time in advance would you like parents to let you know?
Length of Care Needed: Are you committing to temporary care for a month or multiple years of care?
Allergies: Does the child have any food or environmental allergies? If so, what should you do if they come in contact with their allergen?
Medications: Does the child take any medications? Are parents okay with you providing pain relievers as needed? If so, what are the correct dosages for their weight?
Sleep: How many naps does the child take each day? How long is each nap typically? Does the child fall asleep independently or need to be soothed?
Travel: Are parents willing to let you travel with the child to local places or would they prefer the child stay only in your home?
Payment: How would you like to be paid (Venmo, cash, check, etc)? Would you prefer weekly or biweekly payments?
Illness: What illnesses will you accept the child with? What illnesses or symptoms should they stay home if they have?
Expectations: Do parents want you to spend dedicated time to crafts and learning with their child? If so, do you have the time to provide this?
Closing Thoughts on Providing Childcare
Providing childcare in your home is a big commitment. However, it can also be a real financial blessing to your family. Before deciding to open your home, make sure to discuss it thoroughly with your family and evaluate the changes it may bring to your home, schedule, or dynamic. Commit to open communication with parents and your own family and patience during the transition. If you decide to move forward with this endeavor, congratulations, and best of luck!
Let me know if you have any additional questions or insights in the comments below!
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