Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Chase.
Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2004, I was a Payroll Administrator for a well-known company. My department was being out sourced and I was one of the chosen few to see the company to the end. Half way through what would be my final time with this company, I found out I was pregnant with twins. Due to medical issues in my past, this pregnancy was high risk so I knew my doctor would pull me from work earlier than a normal pregnancy.
After discussing with my then bosses, who were not your average bosses it was decided I would stay on until pulled. I would be laid off after the babies were born. I was pulled from my work duties in November of 2004. I returned once in 2005 only to sign off on my release.
The idea of placing two babies in a daycare haunted me during the final months of my pregnancy. I looked into every option available until I came across the idea of operating my own daycare. It made perfect sense.
I went through the process and became licensed in 2005, the year my twin girls were born.
Running an in-home daycare has had many challenges over the years. Unless you have a separate space for it, it takes over your home. During open hours, you are in the comfort of your own home however you must maintain a work atmosphere. We do not sit and watch television while the littles run amuck. We do not have our friends or family hanging out. There are strict rules in place from the Department of Early Education and Care that we must follow. These rules change all the time, so we must keep up to date on that as well. We must plan and implement a curriculum that teaches the children the basics as well as social and emotional skills. We must maintain a safe and clean environment. And we must be good at record keeping. We work longer hours compared to an office job and our paycheck is never a guarantee. Our co-workers may have more mood swings than most coworkers. Above all, the most important aspect of our job is we must ensure these tiny people are happy!
While this is not a job for the weak, the tradeoff cannot be beaten. We are able to be home for our own children. We get to teach these little people and watch them grow. And we get to build relationships with parents that carry on for years. Most of us can make our own hours as well as choose our holidays and vacations.
Like all careers, there are ups and downs. Some days are rough and other days I am left with a feeling of pure peace in my heart.
The biggest pay off and what have kept me going are the kid’s achievements. Both current and past clients message me when they notice their child has learned something new or when something I taught them comes into play after they have moved onto Kindergarten. The acknowledgement from the parents is something that holds true value for me.
It has been almost thirteen years since I started this venture, looking back I would not have done it differently!
Has it been a smooth road?
The first year I was in the business, one of my daughter, who was 11 months old, began to have seizures. This was a trying time as we were in and out of doctors. Losing clients was a fear during this time as my clients needed dependability in order to go to work themselves. I understood this and expected losses. Thankfully, during this period the clients I had were above and beyond understanding and made it work.
Developing policies became a must early on. I knew the type of person and parent I was, however, we are not all the same. Most of my rules and policies were developed due to problems I had the first couple of years in business. I learned what I would negotiate and what I would not and put it all in writing.
Sadly, there are some children that do not adjust well to this setting. I do not have a helper or coworker… it is just me. It took me a long time to realize that if a child takes all my attention that he/she is not a good fit for a home daycare. There could be up to 8 children here at one time and I must be able to attend to them all. I must ensure their safety and well-being at all times. Having to terminate a child is a very difficult decision but sometimes it must be done.
The biggest struggle sometimes is the news. Parents are becoming afraid of home daycares due to the “unlicensed” homes that find themselves on the news with horror stories of children getting hurt or worse. I find myself defending my career more often now than in the past. This causes problems with enrollment on occasion. I do not blame parents, I understand the fear! I do whatever I can to ensure those clients that do enroll feel comfortable leaving the love of their life with me while they work. A parent cannot be productive at work if they are too concerned about the well-being of their child.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Michelle’s Home Daycare story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a licensed home daycare provider. In addition to providing a safe place for children to be while their parents work I also teach them. I prepare them for school in all aspects needed. From basic skills to social skills I strive to get them ready.
Having long-term clients from infant to school is what makes me the proudest. This is followed by the parents giving me updates when their child does begin school. Knowing that these little ones are ready because of my efforts is something no other job can give me.
To be honest I think each provider has their own weaknesses and strengths. We all have different ways of doing our job. I would like to think that we all ensure the kids are safe and happy while in our care. How we teach them or what we teach them, however, may differ.
One thing I have noticed that I do a little differently than those in my area is my fees. A client who has their child enrolled for 25 hours does not pay the same rate as the one that has theirs enrolled for 40. I have always thought a single daily rate was unfair. I like to be flexible for my clients.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In this business, there is never a way to tell the future.
Pricing:
- 5 Days per week – 2 years or older – 36-40 hours – $195 per week
- 5 Days per week – 2 years or older – 26-30 hours – $175 per week
- 2 Days per week – 2 years or older – 14 hours or less – $95 per week
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 South Cogswell St Bradford MA 01835
- Website: www.michelleshomedaycare.com
- Phone: 978- 479- 6612
- Email: info@michelleshomedaycare.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Michelleshomedaycareandpreschool/
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