In Home Daycare Provider...How Much Time to Take off After Birth of New Baby

Hun I have been an in home provider for the last 15 years and I think those parents will not have any problems finding a back up provider!! If they have a problem they are not very good parents!! And if you loose them because of this you didnt need them! Take as much time off as you can afford! I only took 3 weeks with both my kids( now 10 & 6 ) and I regret it terribly!! Those first few weeks are the most precious and you don't want to loose them!! TAM

If you haven't started yet then you shouldn't until the baby arrives and you are ready. Finding daycare for only three weeks especially at the start of summer is very difficult. Especially when it is only temporary. My old daycare provider had to take off for a family funeral and I had to take off work as well. In no way do I blame her for that but even a few days was very difficult. Unless the parents lie to the new place and say it is permanant and then pull their children out and place them back with you after the three weeks, you may just find that you will have to start from scratch and find new clients anyway.

I am a home daycare provider as well. What do you have in your contract regarding provider vacations or time off? A nomal pregnancy you usually don't go back to work until the doctors release. That is usually 6 weeks. But if you have a c-section its usually 8 weeks. For all of my 3 children I took the family leave of 12 weeks. I didn't want to rush back into my job and wanted to have that time with my newborns. But if you can't afford to do that don't rush back too soon you want your body to beable to heal correctly. I hope I helped you.

My daycare provider had a child about 2 months ago. She had planned on taking 4 weeks off and we had it all figured out. However she only took two weeks off. I think that you need to take off as long as you need. If the parents look else were they should not of been there in the first place. I would not change my daycare provider she is great with my son.

my dr made me take 6 wks. I told him that I was gonna start one child back after 4 (i had the child since she was a baby and thought that it might of been h*** o* her not to be the "baby" anymore) but he told me not too. Make sure all the parents know ahead of time and they will make other arrangements. Mine all did and they were great! Hope yours are as great as mine!!!

I only took a week off. 2 weeks would be more acceptable. The reason for this is because finding alternate care is hard, and changing daycares is a BIG trasition for little ones. You may find that at 3 weeks parents may stay at the aternate care center. Just feedback that I got when I asked around when I was planning on closing. Also, you may want someone to come in and help you for awhile until you feel back to "normal".

I too run a home daycare. When I was pregnant with my first child I told everyone a minimum of a month but no more than eight weeks. I came back pretty much after five weeks. This time however I told everyone a minimum of a month but more likley it will be closer to eight weeks. I am taking longer this time because for one I have two kids now so I won't be able to rest as much after the birth as I did the first time and because I have more daycare kids now as well. All my parents are totally fine with it. I told them about my plans when I was 3 months along and I am due in less then a month and all my parents have had a back up provider for at least 3 months for when I go on my maternity leave. I am not getting paid for this time off so I feel it's fair to them they all took at least 6 weeks off when their child was born so it's only fair that I do to. Now if your asking them to pay you while you're on your maternity leave then I wouldn't take more than a month off.
Good luck!

I plan on taking 3 weeks off, too. I have already informed the parents, so they have plenty of time to find back up care. So, far everyone has a plan for back up except one. They didn't have a problem with 3 weeks, and if they did, they could find another day care. Sorry if I am being blunt, but healing is important, plus getting to know your little one without a ton of distractions. Most parents would understand.

I think 3 weeks is short, but not unacceptable for the day care parents. You might want to provide them with a list of other daycare providers they can look into during that time period. And it's good you are giving them as much notice as you can.

I know you are probably concerned about losing parents, but where I live, good daycare is hard to find and if you lose a couple parents, filling in their places wouldn't be difficult. I operate under the idea that if you aren't healthy, you can't be expected to take care of others. I think 3 weeks is not enough time for you to have off, if there is any way possible, I'd push for 6 weeks. I think that as long as you give plenty of notice to parents, they can make other arrangements, especially if you are due in May, that's close to summer time when a lot of college students, teachers, etc. have time off and maybe could watch your parent's kids while you get the time off you need. Good Luck!

I had my sister come work for me- the parents did not have other options and I did not want to loose them! One mom said she could give me a week.
Tell them when they interview with you so it does not become a problem later on- the worst thing is dealing with a "job problem" when you get home from the hospital!!

Hi R., I also have an in-home daycare and have for the past four years in December. I starting doing in-home care when I found out I was pregant with our first child. We also have a 5 month old daughter. I took three weeks off with both of my children. My moms actually asked me if that was enough time, they are moms also and understand how important bonding with your child is and healing for yourself. I don't think three weeks off is to much time by any means. Just give them an approx. due date and tell them you'll let them know as soon as you do when to expect you to return to caring for their child. Just my opinion :)

I think 2 weeks is good , just because you may lose parents for good , you could still be able to take care of your child in your own home. after all you are not traveling to a job. I just would not take that chance! unless you really don't need that daycare income. I also run a daycare and I took care of my mother who was on her way to death. and when she did pass on I only took a week off, I had 2 parents who were concerned about how long to look for other means of daycare.
Just my opinion!

Hi R.! I agree with those who said to take longer than 3 weeks...I would take at LEAST 6. Especially because, like other moms mentioned, you may end up having a c-section...and I had strict orders to not lift anything after my c-section for 6 weeks. I had a really hard time taking care of my other 2 kids (who were 2 1/2 and almost 4 at the time of the birth of my 3rd) when I couldn't lift them up. Plus, you need more bonding time with your newborn than that. He/she is already going to have to share attention with your 13 month old. Also, another thing I would think about...I would not want a bunch of kids from other households around my 3 week old newborn. I'm not a really paranoid mom, but infants that young are vulnerable. Kids like to touch babies, and some of them (especially my two year old) are not gentle...and tend to try to "love" (ie maul) my baby. I would not want other kids bringing whatever germs are around their house to mine. ANd if you spend all day trying to protect your baby from the other kids, well, it's really not giving the other kids much needed attention. Bottom Line: I would take more time off, both for your health and your baby's.

I would let them know ASAP how long so they can find alternatives.
To say that parents aren't good parents if they don't have a back up is not a very nice thing to say. I do not have a backup because it's impossible to find anyone. I went through 4 in-home daycare providers in the 1st year of my son's life. It was always something different, family problems, going back to work (after 1mo of watching him), husband lost his job. That is very frustrating for a parent. My son was an easy baby too so I know it was not because he was difficult. To me finding daycare while I was pregnant was the most stressful part of being pregnant. We now do not trust in-home so he is at a wonderful daycare center. So, unless you've gone through it, you can't blame the parents.
As long as they know far enough in advance, take as much time as you need. I would tell them NOW. Remind them too that it could be longer if for some reason you would need a c-section as that takes longer healing time. Just be honest with them and I'm sure all will work out just fine.

Good luck!

Daycares usually charge by the month, so it seems like a good amount of time to take off. The parents won't have to get pro-rated for the time their kids will be in alternate child care. If you are concerned about what they think, ask them! They will probably tell you to take as much time as you and your baby need.

Three weeks does not sound long enough to me. If you haven't satarted yet, have you thought about not starting until after you have the baby, that way no one is put out, and you get a decent maternity leave with your baby!

Good Luck and congratulations!