After 15 Years in Child Care Centers, She Turned Her Townhouse Basement Into a Daycare

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. We will weigh in on the podcast, and so will the community. Your question could help thousands of providers.Rebekah spent 15 years in child care centers, most recently as a director, then opened a home daycare in the basement of her Maryland townhouse. She and Brandee get into small-space setup, running mixed ages from 14 months to 7 years, homeschooling her own daughter during nap time, quiet time boxes, and the 4:30 closing time that keeps burnout away.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this one covers starting up, daily structure, and protecting your energy.CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Rebekah: center director to home daycare02:03 Themes and planning without a purchased curriculum04:44 Her own kids and homeschooling while running daycare13:16 Making a townhouse work for daycare15:57 Maryland licensing and ratios18:04 Subs: husband, Oma, and summer help20:55 Field trips in a minivan31:47 Running a mixed-age group36:26 Nap time and quiet time boxes43:01 Structured vs play-based48:41 Burnout and the car-ride-home reset55:15 Advice for new providers: free programs and Maryland EXCELS01:00:08 Wrap-upKEY TAKEAWAYS- A townhouse or condo can work for family child care if you are strategic with layout and furniture- Plan activities for the oldest kids, then simplify the same activity for the younger ones- Quiet time boxes keep school-age kids busy during nap so you still get your midday break- Free local child care association programs and state quality ratings like Maryland EXCELS can pay providers real money- Closing at 4:30 protects your evening, and families who fit your program will still enrollRESOURCES MENTIONED- Brickit (the brick pile scanning app): https://brickit.appFOLLOW REBEKAHInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydoseofbekInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beebrightcareCONNECTWebsite: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.comEmail: [email protected] for real conversations for home daycare and family child care providers.#daycareprovider #daycarelife #homedaycare #momlife #childcareproviders #inhomedaycare #daycaresisters