The Daycare Sisters

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. Your question could help thousands of providers.Our first voicemail from a daycare parent, plus three provider questions we did not sugarcoat. A new provider two months in with a child who is cussing, breaking things, and throwing her cat. A provider with 10 kids whose parents keep saying they will come early and then do not. And a parent asking whether kids really did get sicker after COVID, or whether it was just her family.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this one covers documentation, behavior plans, licensor conversations, playroom resets, contract trial periods, and how to stop opening your door early for free.KEY TAKEAWAYS- Document destructive behavior in a dedicated notebook with dates, times, and what happened. Have parents sign written notices and keep a copy.- Reset the physical space before you reset the child. Crayons up high, hard toys away, soft toys out, one activity at a time.- Ask your licensor for advice before you terminate. If the family reports you afterward, your licensor already knows the history.- Write a behavior plan with a set timeline, have both parents sign it, then follow it exactly so termination is documented, not emotional.- A trial period clause in your contract gives you an exit before you are stuck.- Provider Appreciation Day is the Friday before Mother's Day. A card or a kid drawn picture is enough.- Leave before close, not at close. A minute or two late every day adds up to real unpaid hours.- Set fixed hours and stop opening early for free. If a family wants an early drop off, charge for it and take payment before you set the alarm.- A doorbell camera and individual garage codes solve random arrivals during nap time.- Both sisters saw the same post COVID illness surge, and both say it has been tapering off since 2024 into 2025 and 2026.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE- Provider Appreciation Day - the Friday before Mother's Day- A doorbell camera for driveway alerts- Individual garage entry codes per family- A small one person trampoline or rebounder for active kids- Washable window markers as a redirect- Next week: Minnesota's new daycare lawsWATCH NEXTFull episodes playlist: NEEDED - playlist URLCONNECTWebsite: https://thedaycaresisters.comEmail: [email protected]: 651-300-2277ABOUTBrandee and Erin are sisters, business owners, and moms of nine with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience. Home daycare is a job where you are never alone but always lonely, and this is the conversation nobody else is having out loud.Subscribe for honest home daycare conversations, provider advice, and real talk about family child care.#daycareprovider #daycarelife #homedaycare #momlife #childcareproviders

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. Your question could help thousands of providers.We brought a microphone to the NAFCC National Annual Conference in Chicago and sat down with family child care providers from seven states. Ratios, curriculum, burnout, staffing, selling a program, and what they would tell someone opening their doors tomorrow.Heads up on the audio. We recorded these on an iPhone in a busy conference hall.IN THIS EPISODEProviders from North Carolina, Michigan, New York, California, Ohio, Oregon, and Illinois talk about how differently this job looks depending on where you live, and how much of it is exactly the same everywhere.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Why this one is late and why the audio is rough00:01:00 Maureen Brown, Charlotte NC, 32 years in00:04:00 Switching to Experience Early Learning00:06:30 Licensed for 12 to 17, but capping at 10 on purpose00:09:00 Supportive husbands and gardening with the kids00:12:30 Amy, Michigan, 25 years in a small in-home space00:15:30 What her own three kids thought about growing up in daycare00:19:30 Advice for new providers: policies first, and give yourself grace00:22:00 Ari Hawkins, Syracuse NY, activity director00:26:00 Second shift, no junk food, and staying in your lane with parents00:30:00 The creek story00:33:00 Yvonne, California, running family child care 24 hours a day00:37:00 Selling the daycare without losing the legacy00:40:00 Unionized child care in California and what it actually changed00:45:00 Delegating and letting your staff run their own age group00:48:00 Taniyah Holmes, Cincinnati OH, licensed for 14 with 19 enrolled00:50:30 Preventing burnout and staying gold rated00:52:30 Brooke McDonald, Oregon, running a program with her mother in law00:55:30 Monique, Illinois, field trips with eight kids under five00:59:00 Manners, Broadway, and finding a local provider group01:03:00 Closing thoughtsKEY TAKEAWAYSYour license number is not your capacity number. Several providers run below their limit on purpose to avoid staffing they cannot sustain.Policies belong in writing before you open, not after your first hard parent.Nobody warns you about wear and tear on your own house. Door handles, floors, walls.Burnout prevention is not a mindset. It is a ten minute break, a second adult, or a hard stop at the end of your shift.Selling a family child care program takes years, not months, if you care what happens to it after you leave.Isolation is the through line. Almost every provider said the same thing: they did not know anyone else doing this until they found a group.GUESTS IN THIS EPISODEMaureen Brown, Charlotte, North CarolinaAmy, Amy's Daycare, MichiganAri Hawkins, Syracuse, New YorkYvonne, formerly of California, now consulting from KansasTaniyah Holmes, Cincinnati, OhioBrooke McDonald, OregonMonique, IllinoisFOLLOW OUR GUESTSNEEDED: confirmed business names and social handles before this block goes live. Do not publish placeholder handles.RESOURCES MENTIONEDNational Association for Family Child Care: https://nafcc.orgExperience Early Learning, formerly Mother Goose Time: https://www.mothergoosetime.comExperience Curriculum inside brightwheel: https://mybrightwheel.com/experience-curriculumCONNECTWebsite: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.comEmail: [email protected]: 651-300-2277#daycareprovider #daycarelife #homedaycare #momlife #childcareproviders

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. Your question could help thousands of providers.We packed up the podcast and spent four days exhibiting at the NAFCC National Conference in Chicago, our first family child care conference ever. This is the full recap: the sweltering plane, one 30,000-step day of Chicago tourism, and what it was actually like to sit at a booth talking with providers, trainers, and advocates from all over the country.We get into how different licensing, ratios, pay, and benefits look from state to state, why so many providers can afford staff, the debate over whether anyone should say "daycare" anymore, and the stories we cannot stop thinking about, including the daycare families who renovated a provider's basement while she was at the conference. Plus our first pod swap, the best compliment this podcast has ever received, and our giveaway winner announcement.Coming soon: a finance and retirement episode for providers, and a walkthrough of Minnesota's new licensing rules.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro: never alone, always lonely00:51 We exhibited at the NAFCC conference in Chicago01:45 Travel day: the sweltering plane06:16 One big Chicago day: Skydeck, deep dish, fireworks11:11 What exhibiting was actually like12:03 Providers from all over the country14:39 "You shouldn't call yourselves the Daycare Sisters"16:55 Provider stories that stuck with us18:06 Burnout, feeling inadequate, getting re-energized22:02 Staff, subsidies, and benefits state by state25:52 The conference app and the chatting chair30:45 Wildfire smoke and the no-pool hotel31:49 Meetups, badge scans, and exhibitor exhaustion39:49 Our first pod swap and the SNL compliment43:05 What we'd change next time46:32 What's next on the podcast47:28 Giveaway winner48:16 OutroKEY TAKEAWAYS- Licensing, ratios, subsidies, and benefits for family child care vary enormously from state to state- Providers in states with stronger subsidies or benefit programs are far more likely to afford staff, including homes offering 24/7 care- Slower conference traffic meant longer, more meaningful conversations with providers, trainers, and advocacy leaders- The field is debating the word "daycare," with some preferring terms like family educator, but we are keeping our name- Getting back into the provider community can be a real antidote to burnoutRESOURCES MENTIONED- NAFCC (National Association for Family Child Care): https://nafcc.org- Brightwheel and its curriculum, formerly Mother Goose Time: https://mybrightwheel.com- Parent Aware, Minnesota's quality rating system: https://www.parentaware.org- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast with Erica Saccoccio: https://childcaredirectorschair.buzzsprout.com- TRAILS, West Virginia's traveling toy and book lending program for providers: http://www.wvdhhr.org/choices/for-providers/trails.htmlABOUT THE DAYCARE SISTERSBrandee and Erin are two sisters, moms to nine kids between them, and home daycare owners with over 30 years of combined experience. This podcast is the adult conversation providers never get during the day.CONNECTWebsite: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.comEmail: [email protected]: 651-300-2277#daycareprovider #daycarelife #homedaycare #momlife #childcareproviders

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. Your question could help thousands of providers.A 15 year home daycare provider shares what she wishes new providers knew: how to write and actually enforce a contract, handle rough drop offs, and protect your own home and family.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this conversation covers burnout, difficult parents, boundaries, play based curriculum, and caring for foster families through the county.CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome and meet Megan0:16 Inside her farm based play daycare2:23 Her own kids and her home setup4:44 Ages she takes and dropping school age10:18 Burnout after 15 years11:50 Closures, sick days, and Grandma Anna16:43 Why every provider needs an ironclad contract18:07 The divorce clause she added to her contract20:44 Rough drop offs and the two week adjustment25:00 Play based vs a paid curriculum26:45 Winters, heat waves, and indoor days28:40 Caring for foster families through the county31:54 The loneliness of home daycare34:54 Funny things the kids have said39:39 What keeps her going on the hard weeks41:59 Difficult parents and setting boundaries43:57 Red flags to watch for in interviews46:27 How social media changed home daycare48:08 Where to find MeganKEY TAKEAWAYS- An ironclad contract is the thing most new providers skip, and learning to enforce it takes time and a bit of backbone- Rough drop offs are normal; most kids are fine within minutes, and a quick video can reassure a worried parent- Burnout is real after years in this job, and taking a personal day is necessary, not a

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. Your question could help thousands of providers.Brandee and Erin answer the last two listener voicemails. A 64-year-old single mom runs her home daycare from a two-bedroom apartment and can't keep up with the toys, laundry, dishes, and late payments. A rural Minnesota provider with three young kids at home is deep in burnout and wants to quit, but won't. The sisters get honest about tight margins, why "just enforce your policy" is easier said than done, and the small changes that actually help.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:34 Week catch-up and iron infusion prep07:36 Voicemail 1: running an apartment daycare alone at 6409:44 Fewer toys, kid cleanup, and guilt-free screen time16:02 Toys from home and lost items18:47 Late payments: Vanco, Venmo, and the awkward talk21:21 Laundry shortcuts and paper plate survival mode27:56 When you can't afford to lose families34:05 Speaking up and changing your hours41:53 Doing this job as you get older47:07 Voicemail 2: rural provider burnout50:05 Rural realities and the teachers-only daycare path56:01 Permission to just play58:04 Splitting the mental load at home01:07:42 Saving for summers off and budgeting01:12:31 Burnout is the mental load01:21:01 Survival mode seasons01:26:45 Cut 15 minutes and delegate whole categories01:31:38 Coming up: Minnesota laws episode, a provider tool, and Chicago01:32:56 OutroKEY TAKEAWAYS- Cut toys down to open-ended basics, store the rest in totes, and have the kids help pick up before pickup time- Put toys from home in one designated spot the moment parents leave so nothing gets lost at the door- Automate tuition with direct deposit through a service like Vanco, or send Venmo requests, so you never have to chase payments- Screen time, paper plates, and simple meals are survival tools, not failures- Enforcing policies is harder when losing one family breaks your budget; change hours for incoming families first and give current families a heads up- A teachers-only daycare takes years to build; start enrolling teacher families now and save all school year to cover summers off- Burnout is mostly mental load; hand off entire categories at home, like all food or all laundry, instead of asking for one-time helpCONNECTWebsite: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.comEmail: [email protected]#daycareprovider #daycarelife #homedaycare #momlife #childcareproviders Feeling lonely while running your home daycare? Discover how to overcome the isolation that comes with being a professional childcare provider.Running a home daycare is a unique job where you are constantly surrounded by children but often lack adult interaction. If you feel like the only person who truly understands the challenges of balancing a childcare business with your own personal life, you are not alone. This podcast is for providers who need a community that gets the daily grind.We are Brandy and Aaron, two sisters with over 30 years of combined experience in the field. We created this space to talk about the reality of daycare provider isolation and share our experiences managing our own businesses while parenting. We want to ensure that no one feels like they have to do this work by themselves.Subscribe for weekly home daycare support and insights. Tell us in the comments what the hardest part of your day is so we can discuss it next.

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

Leave us a voicemail at 651-300-2277. Your question could help thousands of providers.Brandee and Erin answer your voicemails: how to cope with caregiver overstimulation, what to do about a toddler who hits and bites, and how to terminate a daycare family when behavior becomes a safety problem.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this one covers the hard parts nobody warns you about.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:51 Voicemail 1 - Overstimulated and touched out04:30 Turning down the noise with earbuds09:31 Gates, islands, rugs, and soft spaces17:13 Voicemail 2 - Hitting and rough play with six kids solo32:24 Separation without guilt42:01 Voicemail 3 - Terminating a family and documenting it45:11 Contracts, incident reports, and emailing your licensor01:13:42 Your work-life balance tips from last week01:29:20 Wrap-up and how to leave a voicemailKEY TAKEAWAYS- Earbuds or Loop earplugs turn the volume down without blocking supervision- Separating a child who hits is a safety measure, not a punishment - use a high chair or gated space when you step away- Consistency plus growing communication skills is usually what ends the hitting and biting phase- Add a termination clause to your contract, and document incidents with date, time, what happened, and who you told- Email your licensor before terminating so your side is on record first- Collect payment up front the week you terminate, or plan on never seeing itLEAVE A VOICEMAILCall 651-300-2277 - you can stay anonymous, no name or location needed.ABOUT THE DAYCARE SISTERSBrandee and Erin are sisters, business owners, and moms to nine kids with over 30 years of home daycare experience between them. Real talk for home daycare and family child care providers.Subscribe for provider tips, honest daycare conversations, and the countdown to nap time.CONNECThttps://[email protected]#daycareprovider #daycarelife #homedaycare #momlife #childcareproviders

She quit her home daycare, ran a childcare center for four years, then reopened the home daycare she had walked away from. In this episode, Brandee sits down with home daycare provider Jess to talk about burnout, boundaries, and why the grass wasn't greener.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this one is about protecting your energy: shorter hours, real policies, picking the right families, and remembering that the magic is you, not a perfect space.FOLLOW JESSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591389925662Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalueth/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessluethCHAPTERS00:00 Intro: meet Jess00:37 Starting at 25 and burning out fast03:05 COVID, closing, and the center director job04:06 Why running a center burned her out even faster05:10 Coming back: the grass wasn't greener08:35 Making a small starter home work11:03 What went wrong the first time: hours, no contract, no spot fee15:03 Switching to a 4-day week24:22 Faith as an anchor through burnout28:31 College helpers and asking for help37:02 Going back to school while running a daycare38:49 Quality ratings: Step Up to Quality vs Parent Aware43:53 Licensing, ratios, and sick days53:48 The TikTok side hustle that took off1:01:02 Advice for new providers: the magic is youKEY TAKEAWAYS- Why long days (7:00 to 5:30, five days a week) drive burnout, and how a 4-day week changes everything- What Jess put in her 18-page policy handbook and contract the second time around- Why charging for a spot instead of by attendance protects your income- How interviewing families and requiring backup care sets you up to succeed- Using a scholarship to earn an early childhood degree while running a daycare- What quality rating systems actually mean for parents- Why quality care starts with you, not a Pinterest-perfect houseABOUT THE SHOWDaycare Sisters is hosted by two sisters who each run their own home daycare. They share honest, practical conversations about running a home daycare and family child care program, from policies and burnout to the real day-to-day of caring for other people's kids.Subscribe for home daycare tips, provider conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: [email protected]: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #familychildcareprovider #daycaresisters #homedaycareprovider #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #daycareprovider #childcare #parenting

In this episode we cover how to balance a home daycare with family life without burning out, from simplifying meals to setting closing policies.We also get real about why almost nobody feels like they know what they're doing at first, and why that's okay.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Intro and the loneliness of home daycare00:00:54 Facebook milestone and the new voicemail line00:02:18 Voicemail: balancing daycare and family life00:03:16 Burnout and sharing the load at home00:06:00 Simplifying meals and meal prep00:12:13 Laundry and getting the kids to help00:14:54 Getting everything done by end of day00:20:01 Keeping the car packed and ready00:23:33 Nobody knows what they're doing00:33:00 Home daycare is not a center00:34:55 Licensing gray areas and supervision00:46:14 Feeling isolated and stuck00:48:50 Missing field trips and appointments00:52:41 Closing without the guilt00:57:55 Planning ahead with a weekly check in01:01:45 Memory, hormones, and a new season of life01:05:19 Wrap up and take care of yourselvesKEY TAKEAWAYS- Simplify meals and routines. The same weekly lunch menu and easy dinners save your energy.- Share the load. Get your spouse or a trained sub involved so you can make appointments, programs, and field trips.- A home daycare is not a center. You will not pull off center level structure and crafts alone, and that is fine.- Licensing has gray areas. Good supervision is the real standard.- Almost nobody knows what they are doing at first. You learn, adapt, and figure it out.RESOURCES MENTIONED- Voicemail line, call to leave a story or question: 651-300-2277- Website: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.comWATCH NEXT- Full Episodes playlist: NEEDED, playlist link- Related episode on burnout or licensing: NEEDED, video linkABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe are two sisters with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience, parenting nine kids between us, sharing honest conversations for home daycare and family child care providers.Subscribe for home daycare tips, provider real talk, and family child care conversations.BUSINESS INQUIRIESwww.TheDaycareSisters.comEmail: [email protected]#inhomedaycare #childcare #daycareprovider #homedaycare #daycaresisters #daycarelife

In this episode, we talk with Rush, owner of Poppins Daycare in New Orleans, about running a legally unlicensed, infant-only home daycare. We cover what it's like to move from Malaysia to start a daycare business, why she chose infants only, and how licensing works differently state to state.https://www.instagram.com/hostasisterhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/hostasisterIf you run a home daycare, family child care program, or work with young children, this episode will help you understand the realities of unlicensed care, infant-focused programs, and building a daycare community.Key takeaways- Unlicensed legal home daycare rules vary widely by state- Infant-only care can offer more consistency and bonding for providers- Having a reliable assistant matters for sick days and burnout00:00 Intro and welcoming Rush00:37 Moving from Malaysia to the US02:09 Her sister's daycare center in Malaysia04:06 Licensing rules in Louisiana vs Minnesota09:57 Finding community in online provider groups14:26 What a day looks like with infants18:27 Why she hired an assistant22:01 Isolation in home daycare work25:39 Why parents are the hardest part31:33 Contracts, handbooks, and self-taught compliance36:51 Loving the job vs missing corporate life44:53 Travel, vacations, and having backup care46:08 Starting the Host A Sister travel community52:38 Self-care means respecting boundaries58:54 How the daycare actually started1:01:11 Learning to manage finances and retirement alone1:09:30 Where to find Rush and Poppins DaycareAbout Daycare SistersDaycare Sisters is hosted by Brandee and Erin, two sisters who run their own home daycare businesses. They talk honestly about the realities of running a home daycare, from policies to burnout to the people who do this work every day.Subscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.Business inquiriesEmail: [email protected]#inhomedaycare #homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #homedaycarelife #daycaresisters #daycarelife

In this episode, we get honest about the year we couldn't get it together. We talk burnout, mental load, brain fog, longer hours, and the pressure to do it all as a home daycare provider.If you run a home daycare or family child care program and you have felt forgetful, stretched thin, or like you are the only one struggling to keep up, this one is for you. You are not alone. The comedian Brandee mentioned:https://www.instagram.com/momcomnycKEY TAKEAWAYS- Feeling forgetful or burnt out does not make you a bad provider.- Small things like late pickups and longer hours add up fast and quietly.- Decision fatigue and Pinterest perfect expectations make simple things feel impossible.- It is okay to do crafts, photos, and curriculum in seasons, and to take breaks.- Re-evaluate your hours and your business before you hit a breaking point.- Be upfront with families at interviews about what you can realistically take on.- Perimenopause and brain fog are common, and you are not alone in feeling this way.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Welcome and today's topic00:01:09 Surgery recovery and how our week went00:09:40 Iron infusion and a son's tonsil surgery00:12:50 Daycare Appreciation Day and parents who keep kids home00:22:24 The year we couldn't get it together00:24:22 Forgetting Father's Day, Mother's Day, and birthdays00:27:47 Getting older, more tired, and feeling burnt out00:33:10 Why our hours keep getting longer00:38:10 Decision fatigue and the pressure to be Pinterest perfect00:42:16 Why providers end up with so much stuff00:57:01 The grout story and the invisible mental load00:59:33 Easy tasks that somehow get harder01:07:55 Is it age, perimenopause, or technology01:15:23 Brain fog and forgetting names mid-sentence01:20:04 Hormones, the shortage, and talking about perimenopause01:23:49 It is okay to take a break01:30:21 Re-evaluate your business before you burn out01:34:36 Final thoughts and what is coming nextABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe are two sisters and home daycare business owners with over 30 years of combined experience, parenting nine kids between us. This channel is real talk and practical support for home daycare and family child care providers.Subscribe for honest conversations, provider tips, and a reminder that you are not doing this alone.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: [email protected]: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #childcareprovider #daycaresisters #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #inhomedaycare #homedaycarelife #momcomedian

Running a home daycare is one thing. Running one while raising twins, managing a first responder husband’s schedule, and figuring out policies as you go? That’s a whole different conversation.In this episode, Brandee sits down with Danielle, a certified early childhood educator and private home daycare owner in Ontario, Canada. Danielle has been running her daycare for five years, including through a twin pregnancy, maternity leave, and solo parenting more days than she can count.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and meet Danielle02:56 Having pets in the daycare, dogs, chickens, and animal safety06:36 How the daycare is set up in the home07:29 Licensed vs. unlicensed, how it works in Ontario vs. the U.S.11:28 Winter outdoor policies and snow day decisions13:12 Getting sick with no sub, and what happens when twins are sick14:10 Running daycare solo while your husband is a first responder15:13 Burnout, hours, and protecting yourself18:08 Building a handbook and setting policies21:15 Why she opened the daycare, it wasn’t a calling27:50 Maternity leave for home daycare providers in Canada vs. the U.S.31:19 It’s okay to complain, the provider community online35:01 What she wishes every new provider knew46:21 Advice for providers who have twins or take twins50:24 Letting a family go, knowing your limits56:12 Where to find Danielle and closingWHAT YOU’LL HEAR• What it’s really like to run a home daycare when your own kids are part of the group• How Danielle navigated licensing decisions in Canada and why she chose to stay unlicensed• How Canada’s 12-to-18-month maternity leave compares to the U.S., and what that means for infant care• Why she didn’t have a handbook when she started, and why she does now• Honest talk about burnout, long hours, and learning to set limits• How dogs, chickens, and nature became part of her daycare curriculum• What she wishes every daycare parent understood about this workCONNECT WITH DANIELLEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincerelydanielleeFacebook: Search Danielle LindsayABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSBrandee and Erin are sisters with years of combined home daycare experience, sharing real talk for home daycare and family child care providers.Subscribe for honest conversations about running a daycare from home, building policies that work, and taking care of yourself while you take care of everyone else.www.TheDaycareSisters.comBusiness inquiries: [email protected]#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #childcareprovider #parenting #daycaresisters

In this episode, Brandee and Erin get personal about their hysterectomies - one sister had hers in 2022 and the other is heading into surgery the day after this recording. They cover years of being dismissed by doctors before diagnosis, the four types of hysterectomy, what recovery actually looks like, and the hard truth about taking time off when you run a home daycare.If you run a home daycare, family child care program, or you're a woman who has ever been told "you're fine" when you knew something was wrong, this episode is for you.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Intro00:01:01 Catching up on our week00:02:50 Why this episode: two sisters, two hysterectomies00:06:03 What drove each surgery: prolapse vs endometriosis00:07:19 Years of pain and being dismissed by doctors00:16:42 Finally finding a doctor who believed00:19:40 Hysterectomy history and robotic surgery00:21:54 Day surgery, waking up, and recovery expectations00:32:25 Hysterectomies are more common than you think00:36:35 The emotional side: permanence and processing00:44:21 The four types of hysterectomy00:49:24 Recovery prep: what helped and what didn't01:03:53 How a hysterectomy affects your daycare01:07:21 Time off, guilt, and why providers wait too long01:18:52 Takeaways: women supporting women01:22:58 Wrap upKEY TAKEAWAYS- If a doctor dismisses your pain, keep going until you find one who believes you and advocates for you- There are four types of hysterectomy: partial, total, total with ovaries removed, and radical - and keeping your ovaries means you should not go straight into menopause- Recovery means real lifting restrictions for up to 6 to 8 weeks, which is not optional for home daycare providers- Plan surgery around your daycare if you can: hire help, schedule over summer, or close like you would for maternity leave- Daycare providers are seen as caretakers, not people who need care - and that has to changeABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe're two sisters and business owners with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience, parenting nine kids between us. Home daycare can be isolating - think of this podcast as the adult conversation you didn't get all day.Subscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: [email protected]: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#hysterectomy #womenshealth #daycaresisters #homedaycare #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #childcare

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

In this episode we talk about what summer really looks like when you run a home daycare, from weaning kids off naps to saying goodbye to families and finding free things to do.If you run a home daycare, a family child care program, or you work with young children, this one will help you get through the end of the year and head into summer feeling a little less alone.KEY TAKEAWAYS- Summer in home daycare looks different for everyone, from closing completely to staying open with help, and there is no single right way to do it.- Kids often get bossier or act out in the months before kindergarten, and naming that pattern can help everyone stay patient through the goodbye season.- Nap weaning can be done slowly by trimming nap time in small steps, and a quiet show or supervised outdoor time can bridge the gap for kids who are ready to drop the nap.- Water tables and buckets are far more practical than full sprinkler setups, and letting kids play in their clothes until they dry saves a huge amount of work.- A sunscreen and sun hat routine, with mirrors by the door so kids can apply their own, builds a real life skill and saves time.- Libraries, park hopping, museum free family days, Kids Bowl Free, and store kids workshops are low cost ways to fill a summer.00:00:00 Intro and what this episode covers00:00:49 This week, end of school and decision fatigue00:03:25 Frisbee state tournament and kids starting jobs00:09:21 An upcoming surgery and feeling extra tired00:12:25 Working through the holidays vs taking a real day off00:17:03 Heading to the National Child Care Conference in Chicago00:21:54 How our summers look different, closing vs staying open00:26:18 End of school year big feelings in the daycare00:27:00 End of daycare goodbye gifts00:34:31 The school year, grades, and worrying about college00:39:53 Why kids get difficult right before kindergarten00:49:57 Summer naps and weaning kids off napping00:57:00 Summer water play that actually works00:59:00 Sunscreen, sun hats, and tick season01:00:50 Transitioning back to fall and curriculum01:05:50 Free and cheap summer activities we love01:10:59 Wrap upABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSDaycare Sisters is a podcast hosted by two sisters and business owners with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience. We share real talk, practical tips, and honest conversation for home daycare and family child care providers who often feel alone in the work they love.Subscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: [email protected]: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #familychildcare #summeractivities #inhomedaycare #daycaresisters #childcareprovider #daycarelife

Brandee sits down with Krista, "Krista the babysitter," who left center work after years of burnout to run her own in-home daycare, where she now earns more and chooses her own families, hours, and rules.https://www.facebook.com/KristaTheBabysitterhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kristathebabysitterhttps://www.instagram.com/kristathebabysitter/If you run a home daycare or family child care program (or you're thinking about going independent), this conversation covers burnout, boundaries, interviewing families, nature-based learning, and how to stop feeling bad about enforcing your own policies.00:00:00 Intro & meet Krista (22 years in child care)00:00:15 From center burnout to her own home daycare00:03:57 Are school-agers easier or harder?00:05:38 Family life: Mr. Ross the garbage man00:07:37 The fairy tree & outdoor classroom00:10:47 What is Reggio Emilia? Nature-based learning00:14:58 Meditation, affirmations & sound baths at nap00:18:45 Gardening, puppies & pets in the daycare00:26:17 Burnout in child care & why it matters00:29:59 Interviewing families & spotting red flags00:31:05 Saying no & setting boundaries00:34:30 Payment systems & a wild contract story00:37:39 "Krista the babysitter" & the name debate00:40:16 Meet the pets: cats & dogs00:45:05 Where to find Krista & wrap-upKEY TAKEAWAYS- Going independent can mean better pay plus control over your families, hours, and rules- Burnout in child care is a safety issue, not just a wellness one- Interview families as much as they interview you, and trust your gut on red flags- "I don't think my care is a good fit for your family" is a complete, professional answer- Put recurring problems into your contract and handbook so they don't repeat- Automate payments (direct deposit or payment-app requests) so you're not chasing parentsWebsite: www.TheDaycareSisters.comSubscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: [email protected]#homedaycare #daycaresisters #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #childcareprovider

We cover how to manage multi-age groups in a home daycare — infants, toddlers, and preschoolers all at once — including how to set up your space, plan around the babies, and teach different ages at the same table.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this one is honest about why multi-age is one of the hardest parts of the job, plus the real benefits of kids growing up together.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Intro00:01:16 Chatting About Our Week00:02:19 Licensing Paperwork Before Summer00:03:16 Surgery and Summer Scheduling00:05:01 Surprise Licensing Visits00:08:56 Daycare Rules and Open Hours00:13:53 Updating Enrollment Paperwork00:16:49 Working With a New Licenser00:17:56 Strict vs Fair Licensers00:19:25 Licenser and Provider as a Team00:20:59 Managing Multi-Age Groups00:22:20 Setting Up Your Daycare Space00:23:56 Gates and Playyards for Safety00:25:35 Separating Kids for Small Toys00:28:46 Planning Around Infant Schedules00:30:13 The Six-Month Turning Point00:31:33 Teaching Kids Responsibility00:32:30 Big Kids Teaching Younger Kids00:33:50 When Kids Learn Bad Habits00:35:50 Teaching Different Ages at Once00:40:54 Multi-Age Overwhelm and Burnout00:44:26 Exhaustion With New Infants00:46:23 Benefits of Multi-Age Care00:48:31 Kids Growing Up Like Siblings00:50:01 Long-Term Bond With Providers00:50:49 School Age Care Challenges00:58:37 Home Daycare vs Centers01:00:43 Being Honest With Families01:01:25 Final ThoughtsKEY TAKEAWAYS- Set up your space with gates, play-yards, and a "baby cage" so you can separate ages safely on the fly- Plan the day's activities around infant naps; schedules get more flexible with babies in the group- Teach the same activity at different levels (write name 3x vs. trace vs. first letter) so every age is included- The first 2-6 weeks with a new infant are the hardest; things ease up around 6 months- The biggest upside: older kids learn to help, teach, and care for the younger onesWATCH NEXTFull Episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXWb7mWcp-Y&list=PLXGI3C8PDyfgBzZbAYRuGwfJcHVLOcUFOABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe're two sisters and home daycare business owners with more than 30 years of combined experience, parenting nine kids between us. We talk real, practical home daycare — the kind of conversation you can have on in the background while you make lunch.Subscribe for home daycare tips, family child care conversations, and real talk about caring for kids.https://youtube.com/@thedaycaresisterspodcastEmail: [email protected]: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #daycaresisters #aldi #childcare

Brandee talks with Emily, a family daycare provider in Australia, about what home-based childcare looks like outside the United States.Emily shares how she started her family daycare, what licensing and provider support look like in Australia, how safety rules affect her home, and why she focuses on nature, community, preschool independence, excursions, and Christian values in her program. She also talks about the real costs of getting started, privacy rules around phones and devices, parent policies, finding clients, animals, cooking, gardening, and creating a family-like environment for children.If you run a home daycare, family child care program, preschool program, or you’re curious about childcare in different countries, this conversation gives a real-world look at how one Australian provider is building a meaningful program for young children.Key Takeaways-Australian family daycare can involve strict licensing, provider oversight, home safety upgrades, and regular support visits.-Emily’s program focuses on preschool independence, responsibility, nature, community, and Christian values.-Family daycare can feel more personal than a large center, but it also comes with real costs, policies, privacy rules, and business challenges.00:00 Intro00:30 Meet Emily: Australia Family Daycare01:27 Why She Left Daycare Centers02:52 Startup Costs and Home Renovations03:36 Licensing Process in Australia05:34 Provider Support vs US Licensing09:09 Minnesota Licensing: Once a Year12:00 Personal Device Rules in Australia13:31 Privacy vs Child Protection17:09 Using Licensing Rules With Parents19:15 Late Pickups and Daycare Policies21:07 Weekly Excursions and Scheduling21:48 Three Pillars: Nature, Community, Faith23:40 Beatitudes Behavior System25:22 Animals in Daycare: Chickens and Bees35:42 Finding Daycare Families Outside the City37:21 Running Daycare From Your Home39:28 Cost of Childcare Equipment42:54 Beatitudes Reward System Explained44:43 Party Day as Group Reward47:10 Teaching Kids Emotional Regulation51:28 Teaching Kids to Listen to Their Bodies52:32 Burnout Prevention in Home Daycare56:19 Teaching Communication: Try Again58:54 Being an Open Safe Space Parent61:31 Building Daycare Community in Australia63:54 Training Requirements in Australia66:41 TikTok Connecting Daycare Providers69:20 Kid Kitchen and Cooking Activities71:13 Where to Find Emily Online#inhomedaycare #homedaycare #daycarelife #childcareprovider #daycaresisters

In this episode, we reflect on 20 episodes of The Daycare Sisters Podcast, why we started it, and how isolating home daycare can feel.We talk about provider loneliness, building community, what surprised us about podcasting, listener feedback, interviews with other providers, and why conversations between daycare providers matter. If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode is a reminder that you are not doing this work alone.Key takeaways-Home daycare can feel isolating, especially when provider meetups and trainings have moved online.-The podcast has become a way to connect with other daycare providers and feel less alone.-Listener comments, shares, and interview requests have helped make the podcast feel real.-Daycare providers need community, encouragement, and honest conversations about the work.-Brandy and Aaron are looking for more topics from listeners, including home daycare rules and managing multi-age groups.00:00 Intro00:53 Episode 20 Milestone01:23 The Muted Mic Fail02:04 Why They Started the Podcast05:51 Provider Isolation After COVID06:57 Their Childcare Background08:42 What They Hoped the Podcast Would Fill09:31 Remembering the First Episode10:03 When It Started Feeling Real12:12 Doing Interviews for the First Time15:23 When a Guest Promoted the Interview16:08 When Strangers Started Sharing17:05 Where the Podcast Is Going18:14 What Has Surprised Them Most19:25 Why Providers Feel Unseen21:09 The Daycare Stories Nobody Else Cares About28:53 Favorite Topics So Far29:32 Burnout and the Podcast's Biggest Fail36:10 Feeling Seen as a Provider36:47 Learning From Younger Providers38:26 Real Self-Care vs. Bubble Baths40:24 Setting Hard Boundaries on Hours42:44 Closing in Summers for Your Own Sake45:34 Burnout and Mom Guilt47:36 Missing Kids' Appointments and Field Trips49:56 Scheduling Surgery Around Daycare54:02 Going to the National Conference in Chicago56:27 Upcoming Topics and Listener Requests58:28 What They Want Listeners to Know59:38 None of Us Are as Alone as We Thought60:20 Thank You and Outro#healthyparenting #homedaycare #daycarelife #inhomedaycare #childcareprovider #daycaresisters

Brandee talks with Alexa about running a licensed home daycare completely out of her basement. Alexa shares how her basement daycare setup helps keep her family space separate, gives the children a dedicated childcare area, and creates an easy flow to the backyard through her walk-out basement.They also talk about daycare licensing, food program visits, caring for infants through kindergarten, play-based learning, summer hours, parent communication, trial periods, daycare toys, provider support, and the mom guilt that can come with running childcare from home.Alexa on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@alexa.tomairKey Takeaways:Alexa runs a licensed home daycare from a dedicated basement space.Her walk-out basement connects the daycare area to the backyard outdoor play space.Keeping daycare downstairs and family life upstairs helps separate toys, routines, and personal space.Alexa can care for up to 10 children and also participates in the food program.She has shifted from structured curriculum toward more play-based learning.Her summer schedule gives her Mondays and Fridays off to spend more time with her own kids.She recommends new providers avoid comparing their beginning to someone else’s finished daycare space.She believes the provider matters more than the size of the space or the toys in it.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:40 Licensing and Food Program01:56 License Categories by State02:58 Licensed vs. Unlicensed Ratios03:42 Kids and the Home Daycare05:31 Managing Teens and Sleepovers06:25 Summer Hours and Days Off07:14 How Parents Responded to New Hours07:58 Transitioning from Center to Home08:47 Ages Accepted and Preschool09:36 Curriculum and Play-Based Learning10:27 Working at a Daycare Center Before11:00 Sick Days and Closing Policies12:04 How Parents Pay12:46 Handling Parent Conflict14:07 Provider Community and TikTok15:31 In-Person Events Before COVID16:45 Long-Term Goals as a Provider17:51 Education and Starting the Business19:26 Mom’s Daycare Next Door21:34 Not Being Competitive with Other Providers22:16 Having a Support System23:23 Mom as a Backup Sub25:06 Balancing Kids’ School Events28:01 Mom Guilt30:33 Treating Daycare Kids Like Your Own33:22 Having an Assistant or Sub34:50 Infant Ratios and Sanity Rules35:55 Favorite Toys and Equipment39:56 Best Daycare Space Recommendations43:53 Nugget Couches and Knockoff Comparison47:12 Felt Boards and Magna-Tiles49:54 Parent Wish List on Facebook53:00 Parents Showing Appreciation55:55 Advice for New Providers58:28 Finding the Right Families59:08 Trial Period in Contracts61:00 What Providers Wish Parents Knew62:47 Infant Sleep Challenges at Daycare64:29 Outro#homedaycare #healthyparenting #daycarelife #inhomedaycare #childcareprovider #Musclemat #magnatiles

Jenn has been doing daycare since 1998, and she shares what decades in home daycare have taught her about staffing, licensing, parent communication, winter weather closures, burnout, boundaries, and running a child care business from home.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this conversation will help you think through the real-life side of daycare: how to stay organized, when to close for safety, how to protect your family space, and why boundaries matter when you care for children in your home.Follow Jenn on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@jentilfur.074Key takeaways:Jenn started doing daycare the same year Taylor Swift was born.Long-term home daycare takes systems, staffing, and flexibility.Weather closures, licensing rules, and paperwork are part of the job.Home daycare providers need boundaries with parents, family, and their own home.Burnout is real, especially after decades of caring for children.Timestamps:00:00 Technical Difficulties01:12 Intro01:21 Meet Jenn: 26 Years in Home Daycare01:30 Licensed for 12 Kids, Running with Staff02:13 North Dakota's Point-Based Licensing System04:20 Finding and Keeping Daycare Staff05:15 How Jenn Got Started: From Cosmetology to Childcare06:22 How North Dakota Licensing Works07:36 Paper vs. Online Licensing Systems08:30 Fingerprinting and Keeping Track of Renewals10:25 Tech Challenges for Veteran Providers11:12 Running Daycare Out of the Garage12:17 Noise, Earbuds, and Provider Hearing Loss13:49 Surviving Winter Indoors with Kids15:39 Cold Weather Outdoor Rules and Guidelines17:16 Jenn's Kids Growing Up in Home Daycare19:47 Closing for Storms and Snow Days21:21 Storm Day Policies and Reimbursing Parents24:04 Getting Paid: Daycare Is Real Work24:14 Curriculum, Kinder Camp, and DIY Activities27:58 Taking Infants and Provider Energy Over the Years28:54 Charging Family for Childcare, Including Grandkids30:17 Retirement Planning Advice for Providers32:17 Recognizing and Managing Provider Burnout34:22 How Newer Providers Set Better Boundaries36:30 In-Person Trainings and Old-School Networking41:34 Trusting Staff and Using Cameras44:17 Being Authentic on Social Media47:18 Kids Today vs. How We Grew Up48:12 Teaching Independence and Responsibility50:53 Teaching Manners and Respect52:22 Jenn's Famous Monday Mac and Cheese54:27 Wrapping Up#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #daycaresisters #daycarelife #childcareprovider

In this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, Brandee talks with Cattie, a home daycare provider who grew up in her mother’s daycare before eventually taking over the business herself.Cattie shares the emotional story of continuing her mom’s home daycare legacy after her passing while also raising her own children inside the daycare environment she once experienced as a child.They discuss:• Running an in-home daycare without staff help• Balancing family life and business• Daycare burnout and provider self-care• Licensing inspections and regulations• Healthy daycare meal planning• The emotional side of carrying on a family child care business across generationsIf you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode offers honest insight into daycare ownership, provider life, parenting, boundaries, and building something meaningful for families.Key Takeaways:• Continuing a family daycare business comes with both emotional and practical challenges• Running a home daycare inside your family home impacts both providers and their children• Healthy daycare meals and fresh food budgeting require intentional planning• Licensing rules and daycare inspections vary widely by state• Many daycare providers struggle to separate work life from home life00:00 Intro00:39 Growing Up in a Daycare Home02:15 Taking Over Mom's Daycare02:37 Why She Chose Daycare Over a Food Truck03:07 Daycare Space Setup at Home05:28 Running Solo Without an Assistant06:42 Finding the Right Assistant08:32 Family Life and the Daycare Home10:04 Comparing Methods to Mom10:37 Hearing Mom's Voice While Working11:13 Cooking Fresh Meals for Daycare12:52 Food Regulations and CACFP13:20 The Food Program Decision14:43 Kansas Licensing Process15:55 Licensing Violations and Grants17:32 Licenser Inconsistencies19:22 Provider Shortage and Regulations20:33 Background Checks and Fingerprinting22:57 Provider Self-Care and Burnout Prevention24:07 TikTok Daycare Community25:13 Running and Yoga for Mental Health28:05 Working with Strong-Willed Children31:51 Age Groups and Mixed-Age Care33:09 Eating Outside with Daycare Kids34:46 Long-Term Plans for the Daycare36:26 Drop-In Care and Flexible Schedules38:27 Military Families as Clients39:46 Finding New Families via Facebook41:52 Preferred Ages to Care For43:26 What Parents Misunderstand About Providers45:04 Daycare Hours and Rate Evolution48:36 Advice for New Providers50:08 Just Start — Don’t Wait to Be Ready51:08 What Mom Would Think Today52:30 Where to Find Cattie Online#daycarelife #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycare #childcareprovider #daycare

Infant daycare spots are hard to find, and in this episode, we talk about why. We cover why providers can’t always hold or open spots, how home daycare ratios and licensing limits affect availability, and what parents may not realize about waitlists, cost, and timing.We also share a quick Daycare Sisters community update, meet the new chicks, and talk through the provider side of infant care: early pregnancy conversations, miscarriage sensitivity, formula costs, provider expenses, and why longer maternity leave could make a real difference for families and home daycare providers.Whether you run a home daycare or you’re a parent looking for infant care, this episode gives an honest look at why infant spots fill so early and why providers may not be able to say yes, even when they want to.Key Takeaways• Infant daycare spots are limited because ratios and licensing rules restrict how many babies providers can care for at one time.• Parents often need to start looking much earlier than they expect, sometimes before the baby is born.• Infant care is more expensive for both families and providers because babies require more time, supplies, formula, and attention.• Longer maternity leave could help reduce pressure on families, providers, and the infant care system.#daycarelife #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #childcareprovider #daycaresisters

In this episode of The Daycare Sisters Podcast, Brandy talks with Danielle, a mom of three in Richmond, Virginia, who is leaving a 15-year corporate HR career to open her own home daycare.Danielle shares what led her to child care, what the licensing process looked like, how she is preparing her home, and the behind-the-scenes paperwork that new providers often do not see coming.This conversation also covers Brightwheel vs. paper binders, daycare organization systems, caring for children with special needs, balancing home life with daycare life, finding families, and protecting yourself from burnout as a provider.If you are thinking about starting a home daycare or family child care program, this episode gives a real look at the emotional, practical, and business side of opening your doors.Key Takeaways:• Starting a home daycare means running a real business, not just caring for children.• Licensing, paperwork, training, inspections, and organization systems matter from the beginning.• New providers need realistic routines to protect their time, energy, and family life.• Home daycare can be a meaningful way to support working families while building something personal.Episode Chapters:00:00 Intro00:30 Danielle's Corporate Background01:40 Why She's Starting a Home Daycare03:10 Sharing the Journey on TikTok04:15 The Paperwork Nobody Talks About04:45 Virginia Licensing Process06:00 The Licensing Inspection Visit07:15 Conditional License and Next Steps07:55 Organizing Kids' Records and Binders09:00 Brightwheel vs. Paper Systems10:40 Parent Privacy and Photo Sharing11:00 Danielle's Three Boys11:35 Running Daycare With Kids at Home12:50 Nap Time Challenges13:35 Her Son With Autism and PreK Plans14:25 Advice for Providers Taking Special Needs Kids15:50 ABA Therapy and School Services16:25 Daycare Space Setup in a Row House17:40 Husband's Support and Why It Matters18:30 How Many Kids She's Licensed For19:00 Virginia's Point System Explained20:45 Age Ranges and Infant Ratios21:55 Converting the Entire First Floor23:00 Boys in Daycare – The Energy Is Real25:15 Managing ADD as a Provider26:40 Organization Tools That Help27:40 Checking the State Violations List28:35 Avoiding Burnout From Day One29:40 Having a Space That Isn't Daycare32:00 Finding Her First Families33:30 Starting Full With a Waitlist34:45 Welcome Bags for New Families36:25 How She Set Her Rates and Hours38:05 Hiring a Part-Time College Assistant41:10 Curriculum vs. Play-Based Learning43:55 What Kids Actually Need Before Kindergarten45:15 Biggest Mistake: Overspending Early47:45 Rating Systems and Subsidy Providers50:10 Advice for Providers Just Starting Out52:00 Retirement Planning as a Business Owner53:00 Long-Term Goal: A Sliding-Scale Center54:25 Where Danielle Hopes to Be in a Year55:25 Where to Find Danielle#inhomedaycare #homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #healthyparenting #daycarelife #childcareprovider #daycaresisters

We break down exactly how new daycare providers can find their first families—even if you’re starting with no clients, no reputation, and no referrals.We cover simple, realistic strategies that actually work—from yard signs and local visibility to networking with other providers and using social media.If you’re starting a home daycare or struggling to fill your first spots, this episode will help you get noticed, build trust, and start enrolling families.• Yard signs are one of the fastest ways to get local visibility• Most first clients come from proximity and referrals• Networking with other providers can bring you overflow families• Social media helps build trust before families contact you• You don’t need everything perfect to get started00:00 Intro00:30 Sickness going around the daycare03:45 Sick kid story: chaos after nap08:00 Handling daycare emergencies alone10:10 Mouse nest found on the playground13:30 Getting chickens: 20 chicks incoming17:30 How new providers can find families18:00 Yard signs and location tips20:30 Reaching out to other daycare providers23:45 Networking on TikTok and Instagram25:30 Provider nights out and in-person trainings28:40 Online trainings vs. in-person trainings31:00 Using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok40:45 Google Business Profile for daycare42:30 City Facebook pages and Nextdoor app44:50 Friends, family, and word-of-mouth referrals47:00 Teachers as a referral source49:05 Flyers, business cards, and bulletin boards50:00 Website vs. Facebook page for new providers51:20 Paid ads: worth it or not?52:00 Open houses and seasonal marketing ideas54:50 Interview every family when starting out56:40 Build a waitlist even when full57:50 Financial reality for new providers60:10 Why TikTok networking has been valuable61:20 Finding providers in the same life stage62:40 Outro#homedaycare #daycareprovider #daycarelife #childcarebusiness #inhomedaycare #earlychildhood #daycaresisters

We talk with Megan, a former kindergarten teacher who turned burnout and motherhood into starting her own home daycare business.In this episode, we get into the real experience of running an in-home daycare—what it actually looks like day to day, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the emotional side of being both a provider and a mom.We cover:Work-life balance in home daycareMom guilt and missing important momentsThe reality of being a solo provider with no breaksBurnout and how she manages itLicensing, contracts, and policiesFinding clients in a small townAdvice for new and current daycare providersIf you run a home daycare—or are thinking about starting one—this episode gives you an honest look at what to expect and how to navigate it.⏱ Chapters:00:00 Intro00:19 Running Daycare in Her Basement01:56 Keeping Daycare Separate from Home03:38 Husband's Support & Daughter's Role05:02 Mom Guilt & Missing Appointments06:23 Daycare vs. Stay-at-Home Expectations07:50 It's Okay Not to Do This Forever09:08 Structure vs. Flexibility After Teaching12:23 No Breaks as a Solo Provider13:42 Avoiding Burnout: What She Does16:47 Finding Joy in Nap Time18:54 TikTok's Impact on Daycare Providers21:23 How TikTok Helped Her Start Right24:37 Getting Clients in a Small Town26:20 Part-Time Care & Enrollment Challenges26:48 Licensing Requirements & Age Limits28:35 Burnout and Age Groups That Don't Fit31:00 Boys vs. Girls in the Daycare34:00 Overstimulation Tips for Providers36:00 What Kids Should Know Before Kindergarten41:47 Curriculum Approach at Her Daycare43:26 Her Hours & Friday Early Close45:00 Holidays, Sick Days & Closing Without Guilt48:22 Two-Week Trial Period Explained50:43 Annual Contract Update Strategy53:07 Daycare Contracts: Then vs. Now57:07 State Inspections Aren't Scary60:31 Where to Find Her on TikTok#daycaresisters #daycareprovider #daycarelife #daycare #homedaycareowner #homedaycarebusiness #homedaycare #inhomedaycare

We break down the real differences between home daycare and child care centers, including cost, flexibility, scheduling, and what actually matters when choosing care.If you’re a parent or daycare provider, this episode will help you understand your options and choose what works best for your family or businessKey Takeaways-Home daycare is typically more affordable than centers-Centers offer longer hours and more staffing flexibility-The “best” option depends on your family’s needs, not a universal rule00:00 Intro0:38 Milestone and Alexis Shoutout1:21 Week in Daycare Life3:07 Mother's Day Craft Planning4:45 Home Daycare vs. Centers7:26 Perks of Working at Centers9:46 "Daycare" vs. "Child Care"12:26 Location: Key Factor for Parents13:41 Why In-Homes Fill Up Fast15:26 Pricing: In-Home vs. Center18:09 Why Options Matter for Families20:08 Center Staffing and Hours22:19 Infant Spots and Waitlists24:02 Infant Ratio Rules Explained26:48 In-Home Emergency Closures30:11 Closing for a Family Emergency34:26 Building Your Backup Care Plan35:50 Licensing Differences by State38:55 Mixed Ages in In-Home Care41:22 Structure vs. Play-Based Daycare48:15 Staff Turnover vs. Consistency52:30 When Kids Crave More Structure53:19 Preschool Timing Debate65:44 ParentAware Ratings Explained70:00 Red Flags When Choosing Care72:20 Interview Questions to Ask76:00 How Kids Show They're Happy80:17 Outro#homedaycare #healthyparenting #daycaresisters #inhomedaycare #childcareprovider #daycarelife

We talk with a former police officer who hit burnout and made a life-changing decision... starting a home daycare.She shares what burnout really felt like, how she made the leap into childcare, and how she eventually found balance again by setting boundaries, changing her schedule, and building a daycare that works for her life.If you run a home daycare or are feeling overwhelmed in childcare, this episode will help you rethink burnout, boundaries, and what balance can actually look like.Key Takeaways:• Burnout doesn’t end just because you change careers—you have to change how you work• Boundaries are the key to finding balance in a home daycare• You can adjust your policies and schedule as you grow• Balance comes from building a business that fits your life#policeofficer #inhomedaycare #childcareprovider #daycarelife #daycaresisters

We continue the conversation about maternity leave, sharing real experiences, tough realities, and why this matters for daycare providers and families.We talk about what it is actually like to take little to no maternity leave while running a home daycare, the financial pressure behind those decisions, and why many providers return to work before they are ready.This is not about having all the answers. It is about opening the conversation. If you have experienced maternity leave as a parent or provider, join the discussion.Key Takeaways• Many daycare providers take very little maternity leave because they cannot afford to stop working• Returning to work too soon affects healing, sleep, and bonding with a newborn• Unpaid leave is not realistic for many families in a dual-income household• Daycare providers face unique challenges because they risk losing clients and income• Maternity leave impacts both providers and the families they serve• More support and better systems are needed for working parents and childcare providersTimestamps00:00 Intro00:39 Episode Topic: Maternity Leave01:25 Their Own Maternity Leave Experiences03:46 Returning to Work Too Soon04:07 Financial Pressure on Daycare Providers05:10 Maternity Leave vs. Self-Employment06:32 Seeing Both Sides as Providers and Moms07:57 How Society Needs to Change First08:14 Corporate Backup Care Programs10:04 Research on Maternity Leave Length10:54 Women in the Workforce Statistics11:22 Minnesota Paid Leave Law13:00 FMLA and Unpaid Leave Problems14:01 Dual Income Society and Financial Reality14:33 Paternity Leave Benefits for Families16:00 Teachers and Timing Pregnancies17:06 Dropping Birth Rates18:51 Why People Are Waiting to Have Kids20:40 Pressure on Women to Do It All22:01 Recovery After Surgery as a Provider26:07 Timing Medical Procedures Around Daycare28:20 Working Through Miscarriage29:05 Normalizing Hard Conversations31:47 Income Level and Maternity Leave Inequality33:05 Best Age for Babies to Start Daycare36:16 Infant Schedules and Provider Challenges40:12 US vs. Other Countries on Paid Leave43:10 Minnesota Bonding Leave Controversy50:12 Can Daycare Providers Access Paid Leave53:27 Work From Home and Bed Rest Stories55:25 C-Sections and Complicated Births60:06 Paid Leave as a Safety Net63:11 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action#homedaycare #daycarelife #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #daycaresisters

We talk with Alexis, a home daycare provider and advocate, about what’s really happening behind the scenes in family child care.https://www.tiktok.com/@missalexis_homedaycareWe dive into home daycare advocacy, including licensing challenges, burnout, policies, and what providers are experiencing across the country. Alexis shares her experience running a successful in-home daycare, navigating regulations, and speaking up for needed change in the industry.00:00 Intro and Guest Alexis00:30 Alexis Daycare Background01:00 Part-Time Enrollment Model01:40 Drop-In Care Strategy02:00 Daycare Hours and Schedule02:40 Adjusting Hours for Summer03:20 Balancing Daycare and Family Life03:50 Alexis’ Kids and Daycare Experience04:50 Importance of Separate Daycare Space06:40 Daycare Licensing in Connecticut08:00 Starting During COVID09:00 Filling Daycare Spots Quickly10:00 Infant Care and Age Range10:50 Recommending Pre-K Before Kindergarten11:20 Parent Night Out Events12:20 Events for Current and Past Families13:10 Pricing Parent Night Out13:40 No Sibling Discount Explained15:00 Setting Clear Daycare Policies16:00 Licensing Challenges and Advocacy17:00 Creating a Daycare Coalition18:00 Licensing Inconsistencies Issues19:00 Inspector Rotation Problems20:00 Provider Burnout and Regulations21:00 Stress and Anxiety Around Inspections22:00 Pet Hair Rule and Overregulation23:40 Chick Hatching Daycare Project25:00 Teaching Responsibility Through Animals26:30 Animals and Daycare Rules27:20 Balancing Learning and Licensing28:00 Social Media and Daycare Criticism41:00 Dealing With Online Trolls41:50 Why Alexis Started Daycare43:00 Leaving Teaching for Daycare44:00 Starting a Home Daycare During COVID45:20 Affording Childcare as a Parent46:20 Helping Parents Start Daycares47:20 Supporting Families and Providers48:20 Daycare Community Over Competition49:20 Building a Provider Support Network50:30 Full Circle Daycare Moments51:30 Finding Your Daycare Community56:00 Managing Income Ups and Downs57:00 Financial Reality of Daycare Business68:50 Building Relationships in Daycare69:30 Final Thoughts and Networking70:00 Outro#homedaycare #healthyparenting #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #daycaresisters

We talk about “Daycare Tweeners”—those almost-kindergarten kids who are too big for daycare routines but not quite ready for school.From non-napping and behavior changes to boredom and constant talking, this stage can be one of the most challenging phases for home daycare providers. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by this age group, you’re not alone.In this episode, we break down what’s actually normal, why this phase happens, and how to manage it without burning out.This podcast is for established in-home daycare providers who feel burned out, isolated, or financially stuck—but aren’t ready to quit.“Daycare Tweeners” are in a normal developmental transition phaseNon-napping doesn’t mean kids don’t need restThis stage often leads to provider burnoutStructure and quiet time are still essential#inhomedaycare #homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #daycaresisters #daycarelife

In this episode, we cover what really happens during a baby’s first week at daycare, from the challenges no one talks about to what providers and parents can realistically expect.If you run a home daycare or are preparing to send your baby to one, this episode will help you understand the transition, reduce stress, and set better expectations for everyone involved.Key takeaways-Starting a baby at daycare is an adjustment for both providers and families-Bottles and sleep preparation make a huge difference in the transition-The first 2–4 weeks are the hardest, but it does get easier-Communication between parents and providers is critical-Babies under 6 months require significantly more hands-on care#homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #daycaresisters #inhomedaycare #daycarelife

We talk about what it’s really like leaving teaching to run a home daycare business, including the transition from the classroom, daily life as a provider, burnout, and balancing your own kids while caring for others.If you’re a teacher thinking about starting a home daycare or already running one, this episode gives you a real, honest look at the challenges, expectations, and rewards of making that shift.Key takeaways-Leaving teaching doesn’t mean less stress, it’s a different kind of stress-Running a home daycare is both a business and a full-time caregiving role-Burnout and overstimulation are common for providers-Self-care has to be intentional, not optional-Parent expectations and licensing can shape your entire businessNot completely. A few of those were too granular, and some timestamps could be cleaner for the actual topic shifts. I’d use this corrected version instead, based on your transcript and the chapter rules in your guide. 00:00 Intro00:45 Anne’s Teaching Background02:00 Daily Life Running Daycare02:50 Self-Care and Daycare Burnout05:35 Managing Overstimulation07:20 Screens and Independent Play09:30 Winter Daycare Challenges10:25 City Daycare Expectations12:15 Illinois Daycare Licensing15:05 Inspections and Rule Changes20:00 Why She Started Home Daycare23:10 Kids Growing Up in Daycare24:30 School-Year-Only Daycare26:25 Husband’s Running Routine30:25 Daycare Setup at Home32:10 Future Plans After Daycare34:30 Stroller Walks and Transportation37:55 Allergies in Home Daycare40:30 Two-Week Learning Themes42:45 Hands-On Learning Activities44:45 Teaching Mixed Age Groups46:00 Building Independence in Kids48:15 Daycare Routine and Behavior50:00 Business Side of Daycare51:20 Daycare Policies and Parents53:10 Mom Guilt and Closures55:20 Decluttering Daycare Supplies57:30 Supportive Spouse Matters#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #homedaycareprovider #healthyparenting #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters

In this episode, we talk about what it is really like to run a home daycare while raising your own kids, including boundaries, money mindset, and the realities no one talks about.If you run a home daycare or are thinking about starting one, this episode will help you understand the challenges, expectations, and mindset shifts that come with mixing business and family life.Key TakeawaysRunning a home daycare often starts with wanting to stay home with your own kidsDaycare is a business, not just caregivingYou deserve income beyond just covering daycare expensesBoundaries, financial and emotional, are essential for sustainabilityTimestamps00:00 Intro00:50 Spring Break and Sick Kids02:25 Wisdom Teeth and Recovery03:55 Spring Break Daycare Disruptions05:00 Crochet Project Disaster08:10 March Madness and Basketball Talk10:30 Doing Wisdom Teeth Before College12:15 Own Kids in Daycare13:45 Why They Started Home Daycare14:55 Daycare as a Business16:00 What Parents Misunderstand About Daycare Costs18:20 Why Providers Deserve More20:35 Vacation Time and Personal Spending22:00 Family Impact of Home Daycare25:20 Kids Outgrowing the Daycare Setup27:15 Creating Breaks for Your Own Kids29:05 Parenting and Daycare at the Same Time33:20 Burnout After Daycare Hours34:40 Setting Boundaries With Parents53:20 Guilt About Missing Your Kids’ Events57:15 Australia’s Daycare Support System59:20 Work Phones and Provider Boundaries64:00 Older Kids Need Their Own Space68:25 Licensing Rules and Teen Privacy69:20 Sleepovers and Sharing Home Space81:55 Mixed Age Groups in Daycare84:00 Episode Wrap-Up#homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #homedaycarelife #daycaresisters #inhomedaycare

https://www.tiktok.com/@mamajacquedaycareIn this episode, we talk with a home daycare provider who turned a bad childcare experience into a 13-year career. We cover starting a daycare, managing family life, handling policies, and what it’s really like long-term.If you run a home daycare or are thinking about starting one, this episode will help you understand the reality of the job, the challenges, and what keeps providers going.00:00 Intro00:30 Guest Introduction and Background01:00 Why She Started Home Daycare02:00 Family Life and Daycare Balance03:00 Kids’ Feelings About Daycare04:30 Snow Days and Daycare Attendance05:30 Daycare Policies for Closures06:30 Working With Teacher Families08:00 Daycare Schedule Flexibility09:00 Unique Daycare Space Setup10:30 Cooking and Meals in Daycare11:30 Parent Aware Program Overview12:30 Parent Aware Paperwork Challenges14:00 Pros and Cons of Parent Aware15:30 Daycare Curriculum Choices17:00 Favorite Curriculum for Young Kids18:30 Daycare Assessments Discussion20:00 Simplifying Documentation and Planning21:30 Realistic Expectations in Daycare23:00 Daycare Hours and Summer Schedule24:30 Camping and Family Time Balance26:00 Kids Growing Up Around Daycare27:30 Benefits of Having Older Kids29:00 Kids Bonding With Daycare Children30:30 Caring for a Child With Vision Loss32:30 Adjusting for Special Needs in Daycare34:30 Handling Medical Emergencies in Care36:00 Daycare Safety Mindset37:30 Licensing Inspections and Rules39:30 Inconsistencies in Daycare Licensing41:30 Daycare Community and Support Systems #homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters

Sickness in home daycare, dose and drop situations, and how to create sick policies you can actually enforce as a provider.We also share real-life daycare stories, discuss provider guilt around taking sick days, and talk about why home daycare is a real business that needs clear policies and boundaries.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you think through sick child policies, parent communication, and how to protect your business and your household.Key takeaways:• Your sick policy needs to work for your daycare business and your home.• Providers have to set boundaries when parents try to send sick kids back too early.• Home daycare is not “just babysitting.” It is a business that needs clear policies.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:10:32 Funny daycare kid stories00:14:31 Dose and drop00:26:08 Provider guilt around sick days00:33:47 Standing up for yourself as a provider00:40:07 Home daycare is a real business00:46:29 Seasonal sick policies00:52:53 Norovirus + enforcing your sick policy01:02:15 Outro#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #healthyparenting #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters

Brandee talks with Katrina, a licensed in-home daycare provider in Arizona, about burnout, daycare contracts and policies, parent communication, provider support, and what it really takes to run a home daycare. Katrina shares how she stepped away from child care, what brought her back, and why community, boundaries, and business support matter so much for family child care providers.https://www.tiktok.com/@katrinawoods3www.helpinglittlehands.comhttps://www.instagram.com/katrinalove_/https://www.facebook.com/katrina.woods.507If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this conversation will help you think through burnout prevention, parent handbook expectations, difficult conversations with families, daycare fit, nap policies, and building a support system that makes this work sustainable.Key takeawaysBurnout in home daycare can show up as exhaustion, short patience, and isolation.Contracts, policies, and clear boundaries can make difficult parent conversations easier.A strong provider community can help daycare owners with support, marketing, business growth, and sustainability.You do not need a huge space or expensive materials to build a meaningful daycare program.Not every family is the right fit for every daycare, and that is okay.About this episodeKatrina is a licensed in-home daycare provider in Arizona. In this conversation, she shares her journey through burnout, re-entering the field, working in a small space, running a play-based program, handling tough parent conversations, and supporting other providers through lesson plans and policy resources.#homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters #cancer 00:00 Intro00:30 Katrina’s Daycare Journey01:00 Why She Paused Daycare02:35 What Burnout Looked Like04:20 Returning to Child Care05:00 Contracts and Boundaries05:35 Helping Other Providers07:55 Starting Daycare in an Apartment10:25 Daycare Licensing in Arizona13:00 Family Life and Daycare Numbers13:55 Her Cancer Diagnosis and Mindset17:30 Building a Stronger Support System18:00 Learning the Business Side21:10 Protecting Family Space at Home24:10 Licensing Visits and Support Programs28:00 What She Thought Daycare Would Be31:10 Hard Moments in Daycare33:15 What Drains and Energizes Her34:45 Parents Misunderstand the Job35:30 Hard Conversations With Parents37:45 When a Family Is Not a Good Fit39:35 Ages She Accepts40:35 Nap Time Is Required42:30 What Daycare Taught Her43:25 Difficult Parents vs Difficult Kids44:20 Why She’s Staying in Daycare45:00 How Daycare Helped Her Grow46:20 Advice for Daycare Parents50:55 Advice for New Providers53:00 Where to Find Katrina53:30 Outro

In this episode, we talk about red flags to watch for when families interview for your home daycare. We share real examples from daycare interviews, what parents may reveal before enrollment, and how to trust your gut when something feels off.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you think through parent communication, boundaries, interview questions, payment expectations, scheduling issues, and whether a family is the right fit.We also chat about the week, including sick kids, storm prep, daycare illnesses, emergency kits, and the realities of balancing daycare life with family life.Key takeaways:Daycare interviews can reveal early signs about communication, trust, and respect.Families asking for too many exceptions may not be the right fit for your home daycare policies.A child’s behavior during an interview does not always predict daycare behavior, but parent communication still matters.00:00 Intro00:33 Weekly Life Update06:33 Sickness Hitting Daycare Again13:04 Emergency Kits and Medicine Talk17:45 Interviews and Setting Expectations27:39 Red Flags in Daycare Interviews39:12 Burnout, Boundaries, and Parent Communication#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #healthyparenting #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters

Beth's Links - https://www.tiktok.com/@doubletroubledaycarehttps://www.instagram.com/beth_bigfamilydaycarelifehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571554910359Can you really homeschool your own kids while running a home daycare?We talk honestly about:• How she balances homeschooling and daycare• Licensing rules and ratios• Setting boundaries with parents• Provider burnout• When kids outgrow your program• Food costs and running a home based business• Building a social media presence as a providerIf you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you feel less alone and more confident setting boundaries in your business.#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homeschoolmom #homeschool #daycaresisters #providerinterview

Dara's Social- https://www.tiktok.com/@darabmomandmoreIn this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, Brandee talks with Dara, an Iowa home daycare provider, about what it’s really like running a small, play-based in-home daycare.Dara shares how she started her daycare, why she chose to stay unlicensed in Iowa, and how she runs a relaxed, home-away-from-home program focused on free play and strong relationships with families.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this conversation covers real experiences with scheduling, burnout, sick policies, toys that actually work, and balancing daycare with family life.#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters #daycareowner #playbasedlearning

If you run a home daycare or family child care program, you’ve probably experienced the moment when a child suddenly takes off running.In this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, we talk about elopement behavior (also called “runners”), why it happens, and practical strategies to keep kids safe in your home daycare environment.We also share a few real daycare stories, talk about communication with parents, and discuss safety steps like door locks, routines, and supervision.The Daycare Sisters is a podcast for established in-home daycare providers who are burned out, isolated, and financially stuck — but can’t afford to quit.00:00 Chatty Intro25:01 Parent Aware Update30:54 Elopement Behavior#homedaycare #childelopement #daycaresisters

In this episode, we’re talking about non-nappers in home daycare — what to do when kids won’t sleep, how to protect your break time, and how to handle parents who want to drop naps completely.We also cover:Norovirus in daycare (and how to handle illness communication)Pajama Day wins (and why kids nap better in comfy clothes)Licensing fingerprint updatesThe reality of daycare ratios and infant demandWhy sleep matters more than parents thinkThe Daycare Sisters is a podcast for established in-home daycare providers who are burned out, isolated, and financially stuck — but can’t afford to quit.#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #healthyparenting #daycaresisters

[email protected] Let us know what you want to talk about!In this episode, we talk about what really happens when home daycare licensing gets complicated — from Parent Aware paperwork to fingerprint issues, doctor forms, surprise licensing visits, and navigating the gray areas of regulations.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you feel less alone when the system feels overwhelming.We cover:Parent Aware paperwork stressLicensing visits and compliance pressureFingerprinting issues for household membersPhysical forms and unexpected doctor requirementsSnow day chaos and safety concernsThe difference between guidance and punishmentWhy having a coach makes a differenceDaycare Sisters is a podcast for established in-home daycare providers who are burned out, isolated, and financially stuck — but can’t afford to quit.#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #homedaycarelife #parenting #daycaresisters

In this episode, we talk about toddler biting in home daycare, why it happens, and how to handle it without panicking. We also share real-life daycare moments including Valentine’s Day overload, paperwork stress, fingerprinting requirements, and what “kindergarten readiness” actually means. #homedaycare #daycaresisters

In this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, we talk honestly about handling difficult parents in home daycare, setting firm boundaries, dealing with late pickups and payments, and how to plan time off without burning out.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you protect your time, communicate expectations clearly, and decide when a family is no longer the right fit.What actually makes a parent “difficult”Late pickups, early drop-offs, and payment issuesHow to set boundaries (even if you’re a people pleaser)Passive vs direct communication — what worksTrust, respect, and red flags during interviewsTeaching independence instead of academic pressureHow and when to take vacation timeWhy burnout happens — and how to prevent it#homedaycare #familychildcare #daycaresisters

What We Cover in This Episodewhy does daycare take such a toll on your body?is daycare too expensive?how do you handle family stress while still running daycare?#homedaycare

In this episode, we talk about:-Starting a home daycare on a small budget and what actually matters-Why we don’t use expensive systems or strict curricula, and how we make it work without them-Using donations, hand-me-downs, and simple setups instead of buying everything new-How we handle potty training at daycare, including reminders, accidents, and parent communicationWe share what we actually do, why we do it that way, and what we’ve stopped worrying about over the years.#homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homedaycarebusiness

In this episode, we talk about:Parent Aware stressWhat we are taking on right now and what we are letting go.Daycare sickness going through the houseBeing in the news when we were not planning on itWe also want to hear how other providers handle weeks like this!If daycare ever spills into everything, this episode is for you.🎙️ You are not alone.#homedaycare #homedaycares #homedaycareowner #homedaycareprovider #homedaycarebusiness

Running a home daycare can feel incredibly lonely. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the "Instagram vs. Reality" of our jobs—from the pressure to be a perfect provider to the struggle of navigating perimenopause while chasing toddlers.We also discuss why we started this podcast (to find community!) and share a review of a toy that actually keeps the kids quiet.Time Stamps:(00:00) - Intro: We hit 50 followers!(03:15) - The truth about daycare isolation(08:45) - Why we aren't "Martha Stewart" providers(14:20) - Perimenopause brain fog is real(21:00) - The difference between raising teens and toddlers(35:50) - Toy Review: Find and Match EggsLinks & Resources:Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Daycare-Sisters/61584932770583/

Running a home daycare is isolating, exhausting, and a lot harder than anyone admits, especially when you can’t afford to quit. The Daycare Sisters Podcast, hosted by two sisters with 30+ years of real in-home daycare experience, says the things you think but never say out loud so you can stop beating yourself up and feel less alone in this job.