Introduction
Running a home-based childcare business can be rewarding, as it allows you to be your own boss and work flexibly from home, which can be a great option if you have children. You will also play an essential role in children’s learning and development, and there is an increasing demand for high-quality childcare, meaning it can be a good earner if you market your business effectively.
While many rewards are associated with running a home-based childcare business, there can also be numerous challenges. The start-up and running costs can be significant, and you will be responsible for children’s health, safety and well-being while they are in your care. There are also legal requirements to get your head around, and it can be a demanding role.
According to a survey conducted by the Early Years Alliance, those in the childcare sector have experienced stress and mental health difficulties, with 61% feeling that they do not have a decent work-life balance. Therefore, it is vital to look after your well-being. If you want to become a home-based childcare provider, have just registered or already have a successful business, this blog aims to provide tips and strategies to help you effectively balance your work with your personal life.
Understanding the Unique Challenges
As a home-based childcare provider, you will face unique challenges, such as:
- Registration and paperwork – you will typically have to register with Ofsted (in England) or an equivalent regulator, depending on where you are based, and you will be subject to background checks and inspections. There is usually a lot of paperwork and administration to comply with statutory requirements.
- Isolation – the job can often be isolating due to spending long periods at home and away from other adults. Unlike working in a nursery, school or day centre, you do not have colleagues with you to share advice and experiences, which can be difficult.
- Work-life balance difficulties – your workplace is also your home. Therefore, balancing personal life with work can be difficult, and boundaries can often blur, e.g. working weekends to catch up on paperwork or business items encroaching into non-business areas of the home.
- Health, safety and safeguarding – your overall responsibility is ensuring children are healthy and safe while being cared for. Therefore, you must manage the risks, child-proof your home and maintain good hygiene. The responsibility can often be overwhelming.
- Long hours – the role enables you to choose your own hours and be flexible. However, you may need to work long hours while the children’s parents are at work or if you are dropping them off or picking them up from their home or school.
- Heavy workloads – you will be responsible for children while running your business and maintaining your home. As mentioned, there is also the administration side and maintenance of records, so your workload can be heavy, and you will have to juggle multiple demands.
- Getting a decent client base – a successful childcare business needs clients. Therefore, you must effectively market your business and network to attract parents, which can increase your workload. The pay can also be low, especially when starting your business.
It can be hard looking after your own children (if applicable) and additionally demanding when caring for other people’s children in your own home, as you can face emotional and physical demands. Your role will involve closely supervising the children, providing various engaging and fun activities for them to do and cleaning up after them. You may have difficult children and even parents/guardians and can face unexpected situations and emergencies. You will also be juggling home life with professional childcare, and the role can be tiring and emotionally draining, especially when you face challenges.
Setting Boundaries and Establishing Routines
One of the challenges you can face is the blurring of boundaries when looking after children in your own home. It can lead to stress, mental health problems, miscommunication, misunderstandings, conflicts and even potential allegations. Therefore, it is essential to set clear boundaries between work and personal life, which you can achieve by:
Setting work hours
- Clearly identify when your working day starts and ends, and adhere to these times as much as possible.
- Inform parents/guardians about the days/hours you are available in person and on the telephone, and put it in writing where possible.
- Avoid answering the phone or emails outside these hours unless it is an emergency.
- Do not be afraid to say no to avoid stress and burnout.
- Ensure you have days off and regular breaks to rest and recharge.
Having clear policies
- As well as working times, you want to make it clear to parents/guardians about the drop-off and pick-up times, behavioural expectations and any other rules.
- Communicate with parents/guardians about policies and procedures and give them copies where possible.
- Be clear on the consequences if they break any rules, e.g. non-payment and regular late pick-ups.
Keeping a professional distance
- While you want to foster trust and build relationships with children and their parents/guardians, it is crucial not to get too emotionally or personally involved.
- Be mindful of any interactions, including on social media, and always maintain appropriate relationships.
- Avoid accepting gifts or favours from parents/guardians, as it can create conflicts of interest.
Being consistent
- Follow your policies, procedures, schedules and routines to be consistent.
- You cannot expect children and parents/guardians to adhere to boundaries if you are not maintaining them yourself.
- If you need to make any changes, inform people in advance.
Having your own boundaries in the house
- Have your own private spaces/areas in the house away from where you provide childcare.
- Avoid being tempted to take work into areas where you relax, i.e. doing paperwork while watching the television.
Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
- Keep children’s and parent’s information private and confidential, as it is the law and the right thing to do.
- Ensure your own privacy by not sharing your or your family’s personal information, including on social media, and make it clear about technology use.
- Be careful of taking and sharing photos of children and your home.
As well as setting and maintaining boundaries, it is also vital to establish routines and schedules. They can help you become more organised, feel more in control and manage your time effectively, which will structure your working day and week. It will also help the children you care for, as they thrive on routine, and make them feel safe and secure. Your business is more likely to be effective and successful as a result.
Routines and schedules will also give your life balance so you can make time for yourself and your family and friends and maintain your physical and mental health and well-being. Predictability can reduce stress, as you will know what to expect and will give you the time you need to practice self-care.
While routines and schedules are important, try not to be too rigid, as you will likely face unexpected challenges and situations, such as emergencies, where you will need to make quick decisions and adjustments. Do not be afraid to adapt and be flexible where necessary.
Creating a Dedicated Workspace
A dedicated workspace within the home for childcare activities is essential, as it will enable you to keep your work away from your personal space and life and help you become more organised. It provides a physical barrier where work starts and ends, which will contribute to your well-being. It will also provide a space for children that is safe, nurturing and optimal for their learning and development.
Here are some tips for organising and optimising the childcare environment for safety, efficiency, and productivity:
- Child-proof the environment – to prevent accidents, ill health and injuries. Look at anything that could cause harm (hazards) and remove them, e.g. loose items, unsecured furniture, objects at height, electrical goods, etc.
- Declutter – to give the children plenty of room to play and move around freely. Remove any non-essential and personal items and keep the area tidy and clean. It will also help remove hazards, making children less likely to trip and fall. Less is often more, so try not to have too many toys and resources and choose quality over quantity.
- Have appropriate storage – to keep the toys and resources for childcare organised and in their own area away from personal items. Use labelled boxes, as they can help you clear up at the end of the day and save time when preparing for the next day.