The Daycare Sisters

In this episode, we get honest about the year we couldn't get it together. We talk burnout, mental load, brain fog, longer hours, and the pressure to do it all as a home daycare provider.If you run a home daycare or family child care program and you have felt forgetful, stretched thin, or like you are the only one struggling to keep up, this one is for you. You are not alone. The comedian Brandee mentioned:https://www.instagram.com/momcomnycKEY TAKEAWAYS- Feeling forgetful or burnt out does not make you a bad provider.- Small things like late pickups and longer hours add up fast and quietly.- Decision fatigue and Pinterest perfect expectations make simple things feel impossible.- It is okay to do crafts, photos, and curriculum in seasons, and to take breaks.- Re-evaluate your hours and your business before you hit a breaking point.- Be upfront with families at interviews about what you can realistically take on.- Perimenopause and brain fog are common, and you are not alone in feeling this way.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Welcome and today's topic00:01:09 Surgery recovery and how our week went00:09:40 Iron infusion and a son's tonsil surgery00:12:50 Daycare Appreciation Day and parents who keep kids home00:22:24 The year we couldn't get it together00:24:22 Forgetting Father's Day, Mother's Day, and birthdays00:27:47 Getting older, more tired, and feeling burnt out00:33:10 Why our hours keep getting longer00:38:10 Decision fatigue and the pressure to be Pinterest perfect00:42:16 Why providers end up with so much stuff00:57:01 The grout story and the invisible mental load00:59:33 Easy tasks that somehow get harder01:07:55 Is it age, perimenopause, or technology01:15:23 Brain fog and forgetting names mid-sentence01:20:04 Hormones, the shortage, and talking about perimenopause01:23:49 It is okay to take a break01:30:21 Re-evaluate your business before you burn out01:34:36 Final thoughts and what is coming nextABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe are two sisters and home daycare business owners with over 30 years of combined experience, parenting nine kids between us. This channel is real talk and practical support for home daycare and family child care providers.Subscribe for honest conversations, provider tips, and a reminder that you are not doing this alone.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: info@thedaycaresisters.comWebsite: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #childcareprovider #daycaresisters #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #inhomedaycare #homedaycarelife #momcomedian

In this episode, Brandee and Erin get personal about their hysterectomies - one sister had hers in 2022 and the other is heading into surgery the day after this recording. They cover years of being dismissed by doctors before diagnosis, the four types of hysterectomy, what recovery actually looks like, and the hard truth about taking time off when you run a home daycare.If you run a home daycare, family child care program, or you're a woman who has ever been told "you're fine" when you knew something was wrong, this episode is for you.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Intro00:01:01 Catching up on our week00:02:50 Why this episode: two sisters, two hysterectomies00:06:03 What drove each surgery: prolapse vs endometriosis00:07:19 Years of pain and being dismissed by doctors00:16:42 Finally finding a doctor who believed00:19:40 Hysterectomy history and robotic surgery00:21:54 Day surgery, waking up, and recovery expectations00:32:25 Hysterectomies are more common than you think00:36:35 The emotional side: permanence and processing00:44:21 The four types of hysterectomy00:49:24 Recovery prep: what helped and what didn't01:03:53 How a hysterectomy affects your daycare01:07:21 Time off, guilt, and why providers wait too long01:18:52 Takeaways: women supporting women01:22:58 Wrap upKEY TAKEAWAYS- If a doctor dismisses your pain, keep going until you find one who believes you and advocates for you- There are four types of hysterectomy: partial, total, total with ovaries removed, and radical - and keeping your ovaries means you should not go straight into menopause- Recovery means real lifting restrictions for up to 6 to 8 weeks, which is not optional for home daycare providers- Plan surgery around your daycare if you can: hire help, schedule over summer, or close like you would for maternity leave- Daycare providers are seen as caretakers, not people who need care - and that has to changeABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe're two sisters and business owners with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience, parenting nine kids between us. Home daycare can be isolating - think of this podcast as the adult conversation you didn't get all day.Subscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: info@thedaycaresisters.comWebsite: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#hysterectomy #womenshealth #daycaresisters #homedaycare #inhomedaycare #daycarelife #childcare

In this episode we talk about what summer really looks like when you run a home daycare, from weaning kids off naps to saying goodbye to families and finding free things to do.If you run a home daycare, a family child care program, or you work with young children, this one will help you get through the end of the year and head into summer feeling a little less alone.KEY TAKEAWAYS- Summer in home daycare looks different for everyone, from closing completely to staying open with help, and there is no single right way to do it.- Kids often get bossier or act out in the months before kindergarten, and naming that pattern can help everyone stay patient through the goodbye season.- Nap weaning can be done slowly by trimming nap time in small steps, and a quiet show or supervised outdoor time can bridge the gap for kids who are ready to drop the nap.- Water tables and buckets are far more practical than full sprinkler setups, and letting kids play in their clothes until they dry saves a huge amount of work.- A sunscreen and sun hat routine, with mirrors by the door so kids can apply their own, builds a real life skill and saves time.- Libraries, park hopping, museum free family days, Kids Bowl Free, and store kids workshops are low cost ways to fill a summer.00:00:00 Intro and what this episode covers00:00:49 This week, end of school and decision fatigue00:03:25 Frisbee state tournament and kids starting jobs00:09:21 An upcoming surgery and feeling extra tired00:12:25 Working through the holidays vs taking a real day off00:17:03 Heading to the National Child Care Conference in Chicago00:21:54 How our summers look different, closing vs staying open00:26:18 End of school year big feelings in the daycare00:27:00 End of daycare goodbye gifts00:34:31 The school year, grades, and worrying about college00:39:53 Why kids get difficult right before kindergarten00:49:57 Summer naps and weaning kids off napping00:57:00 Summer water play that actually works00:59:00 Sunscreen, sun hats, and tick season01:00:50 Transitioning back to fall and curriculum01:05:50 Free and cheap summer activities we love01:10:59 Wrap upABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSDaycare Sisters is a podcast hosted by two sisters and business owners with over 30 years of combined home daycare experience. We share real talk, practical tips, and honest conversation for home daycare and family child care providers who often feel alone in the work they love.Subscribe for daycare operator tips, home daycare conversations, and real talk about child care.BUSINESS INQUIRIESEmail: info@thedaycaresisters.comWebsite: https://www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #familychildcare #summeractivities #inhomedaycare #daycaresisters #childcareprovider #daycarelife

We cover how to manage multi-age groups in a home daycare — infants, toddlers, and preschoolers all at once — including how to set up your space, plan around the babies, and teach different ages at the same table.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this one is honest about why multi-age is one of the hardest parts of the job, plus the real benefits of kids growing up together.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Intro00:01:16 Chatting About Our Week00:02:19 Licensing Paperwork Before Summer00:03:16 Surgery and Summer Scheduling00:05:01 Surprise Licensing Visits00:08:56 Daycare Rules and Open Hours00:13:53 Updating Enrollment Paperwork00:16:49 Working With a New Licenser00:17:56 Strict vs Fair Licensers00:19:25 Licenser and Provider as a Team00:20:59 Managing Multi-Age Groups00:22:20 Setting Up Your Daycare Space00:23:56 Gates and Playyards for Safety00:25:35 Separating Kids for Small Toys00:28:46 Planning Around Infant Schedules00:30:13 The Six-Month Turning Point00:31:33 Teaching Kids Responsibility00:32:30 Big Kids Teaching Younger Kids00:33:50 When Kids Learn Bad Habits00:35:50 Teaching Different Ages at Once00:40:54 Multi-Age Overwhelm and Burnout00:44:26 Exhaustion With New Infants00:46:23 Benefits of Multi-Age Care00:48:31 Kids Growing Up Like Siblings00:50:01 Long-Term Bond With Providers00:50:49 School Age Care Challenges00:58:37 Home Daycare vs Centers01:00:43 Being Honest With Families01:01:25 Final ThoughtsKEY TAKEAWAYS- Set up your space with gates, play-yards, and a "baby cage" so you can separate ages safely on the fly- Plan the day's activities around infant naps; schedules get more flexible with babies in the group- Teach the same activity at different levels (write name 3x vs. trace vs. first letter) so every age is included- The first 2-6 weeks with a new infant are the hardest; things ease up around 6 months- The biggest upside: older kids learn to help, teach, and care for the younger onesWATCH NEXTFull Episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXWb7mWcp-Y&list=PLXGI3C8PDyfgBzZbAYRuGwfJcHVLOcUFOABOUT DAYCARE SISTERSWe're two sisters and home daycare business owners with more than 30 years of combined experience, parenting nine kids between us. We talk real, practical home daycare — the kind of conversation you can have on in the background while you make lunch.Subscribe for home daycare tips, family child care conversations, and real talk about caring for kids.https://youtube.com/@thedaycaresisterspodcastEmail: info@thedaycaresisters.comWebsite: www.TheDaycareSisters.com#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #daycaresisters #aldi #childcare

In this episode, we reflect on 20 episodes of The Daycare Sisters Podcast, why we started it, and how isolating home daycare can feel.We talk about provider loneliness, building community, what surprised us about podcasting, listener feedback, interviews with other providers, and why conversations between daycare providers matter. If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode is a reminder that you are not doing this work alone.Key takeaways-Home daycare can feel isolating, especially when provider meetups and trainings have moved online.-The podcast has become a way to connect with other daycare providers and feel less alone.-Listener comments, shares, and interview requests have helped make the podcast feel real.-Daycare providers need community, encouragement, and honest conversations about the work.-Brandy and Aaron are looking for more topics from listeners, including home daycare rules and managing multi-age groups.00:00 Intro00:53 Episode 20 Milestone01:23 The Muted Mic Fail02:04 Why They Started the Podcast05:51 Provider Isolation After COVID06:57 Their Childcare Background08:42 What They Hoped the Podcast Would Fill09:31 Remembering the First Episode10:03 When It Started Feeling Real12:12 Doing Interviews for the First Time15:23 When a Guest Promoted the Interview16:08 When Strangers Started Sharing17:05 Where the Podcast Is Going18:14 What Has Surprised Them Most19:25 Why Providers Feel Unseen21:09 The Daycare Stories Nobody Else Cares About28:53 Favorite Topics So Far29:32 Burnout and the Podcast's Biggest Fail36:10 Feeling Seen as a Provider36:47 Learning From Younger Providers38:26 Real Self-Care vs. Bubble Baths40:24 Setting Hard Boundaries on Hours42:44 Closing in Summers for Your Own Sake45:34 Burnout and Mom Guilt47:36 Missing Kids' Appointments and Field Trips49:56 Scheduling Surgery Around Daycare54:02 Going to the National Conference in Chicago56:27 Upcoming Topics and Listener Requests58:28 What They Want Listeners to Know59:38 None of Us Are as Alone as We Thought60:20 Thank You and Outro#healthyparenting #homedaycare #daycarelife #inhomedaycare #childcareprovider #daycaresisters

Jenn has been doing daycare since 1998, and she shares what decades in home daycare have taught her about staffing, licensing, parent communication, winter weather closures, burnout, boundaries, and running a child care business from home.If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this conversation will help you think through the real-life side of daycare: how to stay organized, when to close for safety, how to protect your family space, and why boundaries matter when you care for children in your home.Follow Jenn on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@jentilfur.074Key takeaways:Jenn started doing daycare the same year Taylor Swift was born.Long-term home daycare takes systems, staffing, and flexibility.Weather closures, licensing rules, and paperwork are part of the job.Home daycare providers need boundaries with parents, family, and their own home.Burnout is real, especially after decades of caring for children.Timestamps:00:00 Technical Difficulties01:12 Intro01:21 Meet Jenn: 26 Years in Home Daycare01:30 Licensed for 12 Kids, Running with Staff02:13 North Dakota's Point-Based Licensing System04:20 Finding and Keeping Daycare Staff05:15 How Jenn Got Started: From Cosmetology to Childcare06:22 How North Dakota Licensing Works07:36 Paper vs. Online Licensing Systems08:30 Fingerprinting and Keeping Track of Renewals10:25 Tech Challenges for Veteran Providers11:12 Running Daycare Out of the Garage12:17 Noise, Earbuds, and Provider Hearing Loss13:49 Surviving Winter Indoors with Kids15:39 Cold Weather Outdoor Rules and Guidelines17:16 Jenn's Kids Growing Up in Home Daycare19:47 Closing for Storms and Snow Days21:21 Storm Day Policies and Reimbursing Parents24:04 Getting Paid: Daycare Is Real Work24:14 Curriculum, Kinder Camp, and DIY Activities27:58 Taking Infants and Provider Energy Over the Years28:54 Charging Family for Childcare, Including Grandkids30:17 Retirement Planning Advice for Providers32:17 Recognizing and Managing Provider Burnout34:22 How Newer Providers Set Better Boundaries36:30 In-Person Trainings and Old-School Networking41:34 Trusting Staff and Using Cameras44:17 Being Authentic on Social Media47:18 Kids Today vs. How We Grew Up48:12 Teaching Independence and Responsibility50:53 Teaching Manners and Respect52:22 Jenn's Famous Monday Mac and Cheese54:27 Wrapping Up#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #daycaresisters #daycarelife #childcareprovider

Infant daycare spots are hard to find, and in this episode, we talk about why. We cover why providers can’t always hold or open spots, how home daycare ratios and licensing limits affect availability, and what parents may not realize about waitlists, cost, and timing.We also share a quick Daycare Sisters community update, meet the new chicks, and talk through the provider side of infant care: early pregnancy conversations, miscarriage sensitivity, formula costs, provider expenses, and why longer maternity leave could make a real difference for families and home daycare providers.Whether you run a home daycare or you’re a parent looking for infant care, this episode gives an honest look at why infant spots fill so early and why providers may not be able to say yes, even when they want to.Key Takeaways• Infant daycare spots are limited because ratios and licensing rules restrict how many babies providers can care for at one time.• Parents often need to start looking much earlier than they expect, sometimes before the baby is born.• Infant care is more expensive for both families and providers because babies require more time, supplies, formula, and attention.• Longer maternity leave could help reduce pressure on families, providers, and the infant care system.#daycarelife #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #childcareprovider #daycaresisters

We break down exactly how new daycare providers can find their first families—even if you’re starting with no clients, no reputation, and no referrals.We cover simple, realistic strategies that actually work—from yard signs and local visibility to networking with other providers and using social media.If you’re starting a home daycare or struggling to fill your first spots, this episode will help you get noticed, build trust, and start enrolling families.• Yard signs are one of the fastest ways to get local visibility• Most first clients come from proximity and referrals• Networking with other providers can bring you overflow families• Social media helps build trust before families contact you• You don’t need everything perfect to get started00:00 Intro00:30 Sickness going around the daycare03:45 Sick kid story: chaos after nap08:00 Handling daycare emergencies alone10:10 Mouse nest found on the playground13:30 Getting chickens: 20 chicks incoming17:30 How new providers can find families18:00 Yard signs and location tips20:30 Reaching out to other daycare providers23:45 Networking on TikTok and Instagram25:30 Provider nights out and in-person trainings28:40 Online trainings vs. in-person trainings31:00 Using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok40:45 Google Business Profile for daycare42:30 City Facebook pages and Nextdoor app44:50 Friends, family, and word-of-mouth referrals47:00 Teachers as a referral source49:05 Flyers, business cards, and bulletin boards50:00 Website vs. Facebook page for new providers51:20 Paid ads: worth it or not?52:00 Open houses and seasonal marketing ideas54:50 Interview every family when starting out56:40 Build a waitlist even when full57:50 Financial reality for new providers60:10 Why TikTok networking has been valuable61:20 Finding providers in the same life stage62:40 Outro#homedaycare #daycareprovider #daycarelife #childcarebusiness #inhomedaycare #earlychildhood #daycaresisters

We break down the real differences between home daycare and child care centers, including cost, flexibility, scheduling, and what actually matters when choosing care.If you’re a parent or daycare provider, this episode will help you understand your options and choose what works best for your family or businessKey Takeaways-Home daycare is typically more affordable than centers-Centers offer longer hours and more staffing flexibility-The “best” option depends on your family’s needs, not a universal rule00:00 Intro0:38 Milestone and Alexis Shoutout1:21 Week in Daycare Life3:07 Mother's Day Craft Planning4:45 Home Daycare vs. Centers7:26 Perks of Working at Centers9:46 "Daycare" vs. "Child Care"12:26 Location: Key Factor for Parents13:41 Why In-Homes Fill Up Fast15:26 Pricing: In-Home vs. Center18:09 Why Options Matter for Families20:08 Center Staffing and Hours22:19 Infant Spots and Waitlists24:02 Infant Ratio Rules Explained26:48 In-Home Emergency Closures30:11 Closing for a Family Emergency34:26 Building Your Backup Care Plan35:50 Licensing Differences by State38:55 Mixed Ages in In-Home Care41:22 Structure vs. Play-Based Daycare48:15 Staff Turnover vs. Consistency52:30 When Kids Crave More Structure53:19 Preschool Timing Debate65:44 ParentAware Ratings Explained70:00 Red Flags When Choosing Care72:20 Interview Questions to Ask76:00 How Kids Show They're Happy80:17 Outro#homedaycare #healthyparenting #daycaresisters #inhomedaycare #childcareprovider #daycarelife

We continue the conversation about maternity leave, sharing real experiences, tough realities, and why this matters for daycare providers and families.We talk about what it is actually like to take little to no maternity leave while running a home daycare, the financial pressure behind those decisions, and why many providers return to work before they are ready.This is not about having all the answers. It is about opening the conversation. If you have experienced maternity leave as a parent or provider, join the discussion.Key Takeaways• Many daycare providers take very little maternity leave because they cannot afford to stop working• Returning to work too soon affects healing, sleep, and bonding with a newborn• Unpaid leave is not realistic for many families in a dual-income household• Daycare providers face unique challenges because they risk losing clients and income• Maternity leave impacts both providers and the families they serve• More support and better systems are needed for working parents and childcare providersTimestamps00:00 Intro00:39 Episode Topic: Maternity Leave01:25 Their Own Maternity Leave Experiences03:46 Returning to Work Too Soon04:07 Financial Pressure on Daycare Providers05:10 Maternity Leave vs. Self-Employment06:32 Seeing Both Sides as Providers and Moms07:57 How Society Needs to Change First08:14 Corporate Backup Care Programs10:04 Research on Maternity Leave Length10:54 Women in the Workforce Statistics11:22 Minnesota Paid Leave Law13:00 FMLA and Unpaid Leave Problems14:01 Dual Income Society and Financial Reality14:33 Paternity Leave Benefits for Families16:00 Teachers and Timing Pregnancies17:06 Dropping Birth Rates18:51 Why People Are Waiting to Have Kids20:40 Pressure on Women to Do It All22:01 Recovery After Surgery as a Provider26:07 Timing Medical Procedures Around Daycare28:20 Working Through Miscarriage29:05 Normalizing Hard Conversations31:47 Income Level and Maternity Leave Inequality33:05 Best Age for Babies to Start Daycare36:16 Infant Schedules and Provider Challenges40:12 US vs. Other Countries on Paid Leave43:10 Minnesota Bonding Leave Controversy50:12 Can Daycare Providers Access Paid Leave53:27 Work From Home and Bed Rest Stories55:25 C-Sections and Complicated Births60:06 Paid Leave as a Safety Net63:11 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action#homedaycare #daycarelife #inhomedaycare #healthyparenting #daycaresisters

We talk about “Daycare Tweeners”—those almost-kindergarten kids who are too big for daycare routines but not quite ready for school.From non-napping and behavior changes to boredom and constant talking, this stage can be one of the most challenging phases for home daycare providers. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by this age group, you’re not alone.In this episode, we break down what’s actually normal, why this phase happens, and how to manage it without burning out.This podcast is for established in-home daycare providers who feel burned out, isolated, or financially stuck—but aren’t ready to quit.“Daycare Tweeners” are in a normal developmental transition phaseNon-napping doesn’t mean kids don’t need restThis stage often leads to provider burnoutStructure and quiet time are still essential#inhomedaycare #homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #daycaresisters #daycarelife

We talk about what it’s really like leaving teaching to run a home daycare business, including the transition from the classroom, daily life as a provider, burnout, and balancing your own kids while caring for others.If you’re a teacher thinking about starting a home daycare or already running one, this episode gives you a real, honest look at the challenges, expectations, and rewards of making that shift.Key takeaways-Leaving teaching doesn’t mean less stress, it’s a different kind of stress-Running a home daycare is both a business and a full-time caregiving role-Burnout and overstimulation are common for providers-Self-care has to be intentional, not optional-Parent expectations and licensing can shape your entire businessNot completely. A few of those were too granular, and some timestamps could be cleaner for the actual topic shifts. I’d use this corrected version instead, based on your transcript and the chapter rules in your guide. 00:00 Intro00:45 Anne’s Teaching Background02:00 Daily Life Running Daycare02:50 Self-Care and Daycare Burnout05:35 Managing Overstimulation07:20 Screens and Independent Play09:30 Winter Daycare Challenges10:25 City Daycare Expectations12:15 Illinois Daycare Licensing15:05 Inspections and Rule Changes20:00 Why She Started Home Daycare23:10 Kids Growing Up in Daycare24:30 School-Year-Only Daycare26:25 Husband’s Running Routine30:25 Daycare Setup at Home32:10 Future Plans After Daycare34:30 Stroller Walks and Transportation37:55 Allergies in Home Daycare40:30 Two-Week Learning Themes42:45 Hands-On Learning Activities44:45 Teaching Mixed Age Groups46:00 Building Independence in Kids48:15 Daycare Routine and Behavior50:00 Business Side of Daycare51:20 Daycare Policies and Parents53:10 Mom Guilt and Closures55:20 Decluttering Daycare Supplies57:30 Supportive Spouse Matters#homedaycare #inhomedaycare #homedaycareprovider #healthyparenting #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters

https://www.tiktok.com/@mamajacquedaycareIn this episode, we talk with a home daycare provider who turned a bad childcare experience into a 13-year career. We cover starting a daycare, managing family life, handling policies, and what it’s really like long-term.If you run a home daycare or are thinking about starting one, this episode will help you understand the reality of the job, the challenges, and what keeps providers going.00:00 Intro00:30 Guest Introduction and Background01:00 Why She Started Home Daycare02:00 Family Life and Daycare Balance03:00 Kids’ Feelings About Daycare04:30 Snow Days and Daycare Attendance05:30 Daycare Policies for Closures06:30 Working With Teacher Families08:00 Daycare Schedule Flexibility09:00 Unique Daycare Space Setup10:30 Cooking and Meals in Daycare11:30 Parent Aware Program Overview12:30 Parent Aware Paperwork Challenges14:00 Pros and Cons of Parent Aware15:30 Daycare Curriculum Choices17:00 Favorite Curriculum for Young Kids18:30 Daycare Assessments Discussion20:00 Simplifying Documentation and Planning21:30 Realistic Expectations in Daycare23:00 Daycare Hours and Summer Schedule24:30 Camping and Family Time Balance26:00 Kids Growing Up Around Daycare27:30 Benefits of Having Older Kids29:00 Kids Bonding With Daycare Children30:30 Caring for a Child With Vision Loss32:30 Adjusting for Special Needs in Daycare34:30 Handling Medical Emergencies in Care36:00 Daycare Safety Mindset37:30 Licensing Inspections and Rules39:30 Inconsistencies in Daycare Licensing41:30 Daycare Community and Support Systems #homedaycare #healthyparenting #homedaycareprovider #homedaycareowner #daycaresisters