Job Advice

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

So for those of you who are going to tell me to be thankful I have a job, let me just say I am. However, right now, I work at a place where I basically do nothing but sit on the internet (clearly) for 80% of the day. It is mind numbing. My friend and I have done a lot of research on opening a home daycare in her home. We both really love kids and that's something I am pretty passionate about. My degree is in medical, and as hard as it is to believe, it's nearly impossible to find a job that is full time. I've been considering quitting my current job in order to pursue the daycare ( but not until it is 100% ready). I am qualified, as I am CPR/First Aid certified with a medical background, and I have worked in after school cares and daycare settings. I've taken continuing education classes for early childhood and also worked with DCFS reporting. In the long run, I will make a little less money, but my fiance supports the decison. We will be hopefully having kids within the next few years, and I would love to be a stay at home mom while still bringin in an income. I still feel like it is a little risky though. Who has thoughts on this?

misssunshine17 · September 2013

I think a medical background would be a big draw for some clients. It sounds like you've thought it out and don't have idea of grandeur.

My bigger issue is partnering with a friend. Starting businesses mean that there is a ton or work/money upfront. Who is doing what? You don't want to get stuck doing all the bitch work. You're probably not this far into thinking, but I would make sure everything is documented and legal.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

That's a good point, but actually we have already drawn some things up. We have not had them looked at by a lawyer or anyone yet though. She will be finishing her basement since it is her home (obviously) and we will be splitting the upfront cost of everything. I.e. cribs, playmats, toys etc...

We also already looked up DCFS standards and what has to be done. It helps too that her husband is a police officer and my FI is a firefighter for the same town. We have our emergency bases covered

misssunshine17 · September 2013

Even further than money, I would think about divvying up the workload. Keeping the books, making deposits, sending home paperwork, daily cleaning, deep cleaning, etc all adds up but ends up being the stuff in a small business that no one sees but adds up quickly. Its easy for one person to take on a heavier load than the other, and if you're both being paid the same, it's not fair.

Maggie0829 · September 2013

Nicmorrison14 said:

So for those of you who are going to tell me to be thankful I have a job, let me just say I am. However, right now, I work at a place where I basically do nothing but sit on the internet (clearly) for 80% of the day. It is mind numbing. My friend and I have done a lot of research on opening a home daycare in her home. We both really love kids and that's something I am pretty passionate about. My degree is in medical, and as hard as it is to believe, it's nearly impossible to find a job that is full time. I've been considering quitting my current job in order to pursue the daycare ( but not until it is 100% ready). I am qualified, as I am CPR/First Aid certified with a medical background, and I have worked in after school cares and daycare settings. I've taken continuing education classes for early childhood and also worked with DCFS reporting. In the long run, I will make a little less money, but my fiance supports the decison. We will be hopefully having kids within the next few years, and I would love to be a stay at home mom while still bringin in an income. I still feel like it is a little risky though. Who has thoughts on this?

Do you work in my office building I just don't know it? LOL!

I agree with everything that misssunshine17 has said. I think it is great that you are really moving forward with this and I kind of envy you as well. Not that I want to be a daycare provider (far from it) but that you are willing to take a leap.

Any who, I definitely agree that the actual day-to-day workload should be discussed. You could divide all the work evenly or you could have one person focus on the business end (financials and such) while the other person focuses on the daycare room and preparing it each morning and evening for the kids.

But just don't let things build up inside for too long. I mean, if you are upset about something you should speak with your friend right away. Business, like weddings, tend to sometimes bring the worst out in people so don't let the business get in between you two.

Good luck!

itzMS · September 2013

Nicmorrison14 said:

So for those of you who are going to tell me to be thankful I have a job, let me just say I am. However, right now, I work at a place where I basically do nothing but sit on the internet (clearly) for 80% of the day. It is mind numbing. My friend and I have done a lot of research on opening a home daycare in her home. We both really love kids and that's something I am pretty passionate about. My degree is in medical, and as hard as it is to believe, it's nearly impossible to find a job that is full time. I've been considering quitting my current job in order to pursue the daycare ( but not until it is 100% ready). I am qualified, as I am CPR/First Aid certified with a medical background, and I have worked in after school cares and daycare settings. I've taken continuing education classes for early childhood and also worked with DCFS reporting. In the long run, I will make a little less money, but my fiance supports the decison. We will be hopefully having kids within the next few years, and I would love to be a stay at home mom while still bringin in an income. I still feel like it is a little risky though. Who has thoughts on this?

It sounds like you're pretty smart. I, too, finish my daily workload quickly and am left with 80% of my day doing pretty much nothing. The same workload takes my coworkers all day (and overtime, sometimes). Personally, I'm fine with this. Maybe volunteer for extra jobs if you're looking for a challenge.

As to the Home Daycare...you often work 12 hour days. In your case, probably 14 hours, as you'll have to help your friend with setup at 6AM, and cleanup after the last child leaves at 6PM.

How will you get Health/Dental/Vision/Life insurance (maybe you can get these through FI's company), but more importantly how will you save for retirement?

What is your backup plan if your client load suddenly drops? No kids=no income.

Can you handle having your off days based off of your friend's schedule? If she and her family choose to take a week's vacation, you'll have to do yours at the same time since the daycare is in her home.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

@maggie0829 I doubt it unless you are in Chicago lol.

these are all really good points. We will definitely be discussing them in more detail before we decide anything. We did figure out how we would take our vacations though, and have it written in a handbook for the parents. She's pretty accomodating and I like to think I am too, so I definitely think there will be no problem helping eachother out as long as we communicate!

southernbelle0915 · September 2013

When you say your field is medical, what do you mean? Are you a nurse? A doctor? A PA?

Have you thought about using a staffing agency? Chicago is huge and has no shortage of jobs in the medical field. Especially with PPACA in effect 10/1. Perhaps you're looking in the wrong place. Also, look into working for a health plan or HFS. A lot of times, there are applicable jobs there that you might not think about.

itzMS · September 2013

southernbelle0915 said:

When you say your field is medical, what do you mean? Are you a nurse? A doctor? A PA?

Have you thought about using a staffing agency? Chicago is huge and has no shortage of jobs in the medical field. Especially with PPACA in effect 10/1. Perhaps you're looking in the wrong place. Also, look into working for a health plan or HFS. A lot of times, there are applicable jobs there that you might not think about.

Also don't forget the VA system. There are at least 3 VA hospitals in the Chicago area? Though it is government work... ;-)

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

No, I'm not a nurse, although eventually I would like my path to take me there. I am a Certified Medical Assistant (basically taking place of LPN). I'm able to do more than a CNA, like injections, vitals, phlebotomy, assisting with procedures and taking pt history etc.

I'm actually in the suburbs of Chicago but unfortunately (mostly because of Obamacare) it is nearly impossible to get a f/t job...especially with benefits. I have worked with a staffing agency before, but was placed in a "temp" position which did not have a spot for a full time hire. Before the current job I'm in now, I was working 3 part time jobs, two medical and one as a nanny overnight for a special needs child. The schedule was awful. I guess that's how I ended up here.

southernbelle0915 · September 2013

What about a doctors office or home health agency? Or an assisted senior living community?

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

I did work at a Dr's office full time, until it became part time. They freaked out about Obamacare (even though it was not taking effect for a while), cut everyone to 30 hours and hired a new p/t girl. We were pissed. I had 14k left in student loans and was making $8.80 an hour! Minimum wage is $8.50. I was hardly making it full time, but especially not when they cut my hours. Ironically, the assisted living homes near me prefer CNA's because they can pay them less and have the nurses do more. It's so ass backwards it' ridiculous. As far as the hospitals, I am constantly applying, but again, the major hospital by us just got bought out by Advocate and is having a high turnover rate. I'm continuously putting my resume out there but hospitals prefer a lot of experience which I don't have a ton of because I can't get a job. I know it sounds crazy but it's so sadly true. It's just a waiting game. My fiance and I have been considering moving to SC after the wedding. His FF degrees and credits transfer, and I have talked to a few different recruiters that say I can work on the military base as a citizen.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

That is a good point but I definitely looked into it! If it is not the "primary" space, and it will only be used at certain times of the day such as for play, it is required to have an easily accessible window and an unobstructed staricase with fireproof walls that leads to the outside. They aren't fire proof, but her husband and my Fiance are going to make them that way. Apparantly there is special insulation and drywall or something? He's the fire guy so I'll let him do the building lol. The only thing we really need to figure out is where nap time will be held, because it can't be in the basement. She does have a spare room, but we don't want to be that far from the kids so we were thinking converting her "formal dining" room

AprilH81 · September 2013

You will also need to check out any zoning restrictions about home based businesses or child care. Some towns actually restrict things like that.

Do you need any permits or licenses?

AprilH81 · September 2013

Nicmorrison14 said:

That is a good point but I definitely looked into it! If it is not the "primary" space, and it will only be used at certain times of the day such as for play, it is required to have an easily accessible window and an unobstructed staricase with fireproof walls that leads to the outside. They aren't fire proof, but her husband and my Fiance are going to make them that way. Apparantly there is special insulation and drywall or something? He's the fire guy so I'll let him do the building lol. The only thing we really need to figure out is where nap time will be held, because it can't be in the basement. She does have a spare room, but we don't want to be that far from the kids so we were thinking converting her "formal dining" room

I'm curious, why can't nap time be in the basement?

itzMS · September 2013

AprilH81 said:

You will also need to check out any zoning restrictions about home based businesses or child care. Some towns actually restrict things like that.

Do you need any permits or licenses?

Good point. And Homeowners associations can have restrictions, too.

lc07 · September 2013

It's exciting to start your own business! I own three. I am the sole owner of one business and have a business partner in each of the other two businesses. You'd be amazed at how much more revenue you have to bring in when you have a business partner. The business has to make money for itself and then there has to be enough money for each of you to draw an income plus self employment taxes/personal income taxes. It's pretty insane. Just make sure you have a solid business plan in place and that it makes sense for this to be a two-owner company.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

We do need a license through DCFS but we have gone over the guidelines and will be getting one. Everything needs to be approved (whichi it shoud be) before we can open.

@ic07- that's awesome that you have so many businesses! We did go over a budget plan of how we can still keep childcare affordable yet make an income. We figured out how many children we would need, deducted food and supply costs, set aside money for taxes and then split the income. It actually comes out to a pretty good rate. It helps that we will be using her home too, instead of paying for electric bills and all the other utilities to rent out a space to have our daycare. We will be using spaces in her house that will benefit our business but not tack on much extra money when it comes to utilities.

As far as the sleeping in the basement thing...the state would then consider the basement the "primary" space, and would then need a walkout basement, which is not an option. If it is only used for play, then we are in the clear. Seems kind of silly but I get that they are saying. It's so tempting to do what pretty much everyone else around does and do it illegally and under the table without licensing, but God forbid something happen, we want to be covered as well as the family. Plus, not only are we about ethics, but as a parent (which I'm not yet) I would much prefer a place where I know it is completely legal. We also looked into basic insurance which surprisingly is at a good price.

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