Running a Legally Unlicensed Home Daycare

In this episode, Brandee interviews Courtney, a legally unlicensed home daycare provider in Wisconsin who has built a large following as a daycare content creator. They cover what legally unlicensed care actually means, screening families before interviews, and balancing daycare with family life.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this honest conversation will help you take yourself seriously as a business owner, licensed or not.Courtney shares how she runs a play-based program with contracts, handbooks, and a pre-interview questionnaire even though Wisconsin does not require her to be licensed. She also opens up about TikTok fame and burnout, brand partnerships, maternity leave planning, postpartum depression, and why she says no to families that are not a good fit.FOLLOW COURTNEYTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneyrasporInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyrasporFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572110555265KEY TAKEAWAYS- Legally unlicensed daycare in Wisconsin allows up to three unrelated children, with no state visits or food program requirements- A pre-interview questionnaire helps screen for families with a matching parenting style before you ever meet- Contracts and handbooks make you a professional business owner whether or not you are licensed- Planning a full 12-week maternity leave protects your mental health and the kids in your care- Don't be a pushover. Set your hours and policies and let the right families come to youCHAPTERS00:00:00 Welcome and meet Courtney00:00:17 A play-based, home away from home daycare00:01:58 Balancing her own kids with daycare kids00:04:19 How the daycare space is set up00:05:39 What legally unlicensed means in Wisconsin00:09:53 What her husband thinks about the daycare00:13:08 Being a daycare TikTok creator00:21:06 Maternity leave plans at 24 weeks00:21:56 Postpartum depression and being honest about it00:35:43 Screening families with a pre-interview questionnaire00:39:22 Contracts and handbooks without a license00:42:47 Social media burnout, ads, and free stuff00:54:01 Daycare influencers vs. reality01:05:08 Advice for new providers: be a business ownerABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSBrandee and Erin are sisters with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience. They share real, practical conversations for family child care providers.For easier ways to listen: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.comSubscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: [email protected]: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #familychildcare #daycaresisters #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #childcareprovider #parenting