Daycare For Teachers - This Is For You, Sarah

Ah, summers off. What could be more heavenly? Every provider has pondered this scenario at least once. We all look forward to the much anticipated summer ahead and dream about what it would be like if we could be alone with our thoughts while soaking in the sun instead of the constant bickering and utterings of "I'm bored" from those school-aged kids we are kicking ourselves for taking. We wonder what summer would be like without five kids in tow and start to plan how we could make it happen.

There is a perfect market that is much ignored in daycare and that is teachers. Teachers have three weeks throughout the school year and another nine weeks each summer wherein they do not need care for their child nor do they wish to pay for it. And, if you are able to go without your full income for nine weeks a year this might be an avenue for you to explore further.

Through the years I have had many teachers inquire about care. In the beginning my inexperience caused me to turn many of them away for fear that I would lose alot of income that was sorely needed. However, I realized that teachers can be a blessing in disguise for the daycare provider.

Teachers are the closest thing, with respect to their jobs, to daycare providers. Like us, teachers also deal with the same kids every day, answer to parents, have their own experiences with double-barrelled snot, head lice, behavioural problems and work hours outside of those they spend between the brick walls of the school. They rarely get real breaks and for most of the day are stuck inside with kids. Most teachers I have encountered "get" daycare. In fact, for all the families I have provider care teachers have been some of the best.

The obstacle for most providers with respect to teachers is money. How do you provide care all year and not have the ability to charge for school breaks and summer vacation? The answer is easy - higher fees. Below is an example of the fee structure I use for teachers:

My normal rate of care for NON-teachers is $35 per day. The average work year has 260paid daycare days including paid statutory holiday. You can use your own fees and figure it out as well. Add an additional $4-5 per day fee on top of the regular fees to come up with the teacher's fee. So....

$35 x 260 days = $9100 - this is the annual amount for non-teachers

$40 X 200 (the number of care days needed by teachers) = $8000 - this is the annual amount for teachers at a higher daily rate

Add to the teacher rate a non-refundable $200 deposit to be made in June to secure their spot for September.

If you look at the calculations above you will see that you only lose $900 per child each year but you do not have to work over Christmas, March Break or Summer vacation. Plus if you factor in the cost of providing care you will also conclude that your $900 deficit actually comes closer to a deficit of only $500 per child each year.

The decision to take on teachers and potentially off-set your income by as much as $2000 a year can only be made by each individual depending on your circumstances and income needs. However, it can be a great idea for those who are prone to burn-out and need to regroup and relax each year. The other plus is that each year can be taken one at a time. If your group is not working well then you have the opportunity each June to reassess and take on new children for the following September.

My own family dynamics do not allow me to work exclusively with teachers right now but it is an idea I have come back to many times through the years. It could be a wonderful daycare opportunity for many providers. It's a win-win situation for all involved and perfect for those providers who have young children in school.

There are many different daycare situations and a provider and market for each one. Be the provider YOU want to be by finding your niche and going for it. Do you want to have every summer off? Then get out there and advertise for teachers. Whatever you chose, be happy. Only you can make that happen.