The arrival of summer brings with it free days, no school, and lots of relaxation and fun - for kids, that is. For parents, summer vacation means coming up with the perfect balance of structured activity and a break from school. And for many stay-at-home parents, that means operating a summer home day care.
“I’m home anyway,” many parents reason, “I might as well take care of other kids who need a sitter.” But being at home with your own children is far different from babysitting school-age children every day for almost three months. Before opening your doors to other children this summer, weigh the pros and cons of offering summer day care in your home.
You’re Home Anyway
If you’re a stay-at-home or work-at-home parent, you may not be looking to put your own children in a summer day camp or other organized program outside the home. Who better to provide babysitting than the mom who is home anyway with a house full of kids?
Depending on how many children you have, taking care of a few more may not be a burden. Don’t let other parents take advantage of you, however. Providing day care is a big responsibility and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Babysitting Earns You Income
A definite benefit of providing summer day care is that you can earn money babysitting. Working parents are willing to pay to have their school-age children taken care of during the summer. A home day-care situation is usually a welcome solution for them.
Non-licensed home day care providers charge between US$2 and $5 per hour. Whatever you charge, be sure you are earning enough to compensate yourself for your time and work, and are billing parents a rate that they feel is fair.
Socialization For Your Children
A day care provider’s children benefit from home day care since they’re getting the socialization, regular activity, and play dates with other children. Babysitting children the same age as your own children is ideal, but all kids benefit from interacting with older and younger children.
You’re in Control
You have ideas and opinions about how much structure your child’s summer should have and how he should be spending his days. When he’s at home, you get to make those decisions on a daily basis and change them as you see fit.
You’re Doing Something Nice for Working Parents
According to Workplace Fairness, the number of children age 6-12 who are alone at home during the day triples during the summer. A stay-at-home parent who opens her doors to those children is doing a good thing for them and their parents.
But It’s Still a Job
Working at home is still working, and babysitting is a job, sometimes not an easy one. Agreeing to provide day care in your home means you’re responsible for keeping other children safe, healthy, active and well cared for during their time with you.
Your home will have to be childproofed specifically for the age of the children you’re caring for. Even if your day care is only for the summer, you have the responsibility of doing everything a home day care provider does.
And Your Free Time is Limited
Your summer won’t be your own. If you or one of your children gets sick, arrangements must be made. If you plan to take a family vacation or have out-of-town visitors, you’ll have to consider what to do about your day care children.
If you enjoy being a stay-at-home parent because of the freedom it entails, that might be compromised during summer day care.
Points to Consider When Contemplating Offering Summer Home Day Care in Your Home
- Loose, verbal agreements to watch a friend’s children during the summer can backfire and cause problems between friends. Agree upfront on day care plans and keep the arrangement as professional as possible.
- Be organized and plan ahead for activities for your day care children. Plan outings, outdoor games, crafts and other activities for a well balanced summer.
- Don’t forget your stay-at-home parenting responsibilities. Like any job, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in your day care charges that you neglect your own kids and responsibilities at home. Strike a balance between your two summer jobs.
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