[kllee4]

I love all of the creative ideas here!

I have been teaching for the past few years and absolutely LOVE it! However, before teaching, I was home with my four bio sons doing licensed home daycare. I went back to school part-time to finish my degree and then decided to work on my degree full time. I loved being with my boys and also having other children around them. I decided how many children I wanted to care for and what my hours were, etc. We decided to begin the process toward adoption and I originally decided that I would continue to teach and find a child care provider. I became disheartened in my search and decided that maybe I could put my Early Childhood degree (as well as starting on my Master's) to good use and be home with her once she joins our family.

It is NOT for everyone but being a teacher who is used to up 25 Kindergarten children at one time (often times without an aide) seemed as though being home might be the best choice. My income has actually almost doubled and I love being home. I am also there when my sons get home from school, they are my helpers and enjoy not having to be in before and aftercare. I completed the licensing process without needing any classes due to already being a certified ECE Specialist and took a CPR and first aid class. I do use a curriculum and we have numerous field trips (I already had a van) and we have a ball during the day. My days are longer but I still feel as though I am giving back through educating children in a way that is much more flexible and more creative than I could be in the school system. I have all preschool aged children and am not accepting any infants (saving that one slot for our own child). I was booked before I even opened and it's been great!

Just waiting for our precious little one to join us soon! Just wanted to add another option. Good luck to everyone!

kllee