ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF

Always advocate for what important to you- don’t be afraid to speak up

Many people don't speak up for what is important to them because they are afraid to be judged or misunderstood. You should always advocate for what is important to you, and don't let fear stop you from speaking your truth.

There are many reasons to speak up for what you believe in, but one of the most important ones is the preservation of your own dignity. Humans have a natural instinct to avoid being different, so advocating for yourself can be difficult. However, by standing up for what you believe in, you are able to maintain your dignity and set an example for others to follow. Look around you, name 2 or 3 things right now that if you stood up and spoke out, would affect someone else in a positive way. *Hint Hint- Childcare in this Nation!

The push to take an active role in one's life is more than just a trend. It's a culture shift, where people are shifting away from the mindset of "I'll do whatever" and returning to the mentality of "I'm going to make a life." This mindset change is most noticeable when it comes to self-advocacy.

Acknowledge your own needs

The way we show our emotions is different and the effects may differ, however it is important to acknowledge and meet these needs. If we don't, we could be doing damage to ourselves and others around us.

Be willing to take risks for what you believe in

In today’s society, it is easy to get caught up in the rat race of trying to please everyone and keep your job. It's easy to go along with what everyone else does just because it's easier. Just because it makes it easier, doesn't mean that you won't pay for it in the long run. Standing up for what you believe in can be hard but rewarding. In order to take a risk, you have to be willing to face rejection and disappointment.

Don't have a victim mentality

Have you ever heard of the term "victim mentality"? A victim mentality is when someone accepts an undesirable situation as their own fault, or that nothing can be done to change it. This type of attitude will not help someone to get ahead in life or be more mindful of their surroundings. It is important to find a balance between accepting what cannot be changed and taking responsibility for one's actions.

Seek out an ally or two

The first step to overcoming social anxiety is to seek out an ally. Making small talk, joining an organization or taking a class are great ways to meet people who can help you relieve your social anxiety. Remember that it is okay if you don’t instantly find someone; it may take some time before you find someone suitable. When starting up a conversation with somebody, keep the content light and safe for now, like what they like or where they’ve traveled.

We all know the feeling of sitting low in a chair with our head in our hands, feeling isolated and alone. It can be difficult to find the energy to call someone close for support when we are in this state of mind. However, there are many ways to get help if you reach out early enough.

In conclusion, always advocate for what is important to you- it doesn't matter if you are unsure or afraid. Never be afraid to speak up, no matter how people may react. Whatever is important to you, I'm pretty sure sure there are quite a few people that share the same sentiments.

Here's how we can help

Daycare Time Solutions wants to know what's important to you when it comes to childcare. If you are ready to advocate for yourself and for others when it comes to this industry, we are opening our platform for you to be able to freely do so. We want to know specifically how the pandemic has affected your business: Childcare during the Pandemic. We also want to know specifically what are some of the changes you believe should happen in this nation when it comes to the childcare industry.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Send us a message for more information at info@daycaretimesolutions.com

Childcare Profitability 2022

Americans will spend more than $10,000 + on child care in 2022!

Childcare in 2022 will be even more competitive with the influx of new providers. With that being said, there are multiple ways to prepare for 2022 and make your business even more profitable this upcoming year. Many resources exist that allow a child care provider to excel in this competitive field. Below are a list of 11 key things to note that can help take your childcare to another level.

1. Understand the Child Care Market: The child care market is currently worth more than $75 billion in the US, and growing at a rate of about 5% per year. As the Baby Boomers grow older and need more help, childcare services are going to be in demand. The majority of businesses can't find a way to stay in business without having a good handle on the child care market.

2. Create a Value Proposition: The next thing you need to do is find your value proposition. It’s what makes your service different, better, or more valuable than your competitors. Why does your service exist? What problem is it trying to solve? These are the questions you need to answer before you can really put your thinking cap on and start creating your value proposition. A value proposition is a clear description of what a product/service does, why it’s worth buying, and who it’s going to serve.

3. Build Trust through Transparency: We think it's important while running a child care business that transparency and trust are some of the most important things to your success. As a business owner, you need to put yourself in the customer’s shoes and understand what they expect of you. You need to know who your customers are, and why they’re coming to you for childcare. Do not be afraid to stick to the operational and policy procedures that you put in place and if you find that something is not working, do not be afraid to send out an addendum and change it. This is your business and you want to be confident in it and be transparent with the families you serve.

4. Create a system for yourself: This advice is especially true for those who run home-based child care businesses. This is because if you are working at home, you will likely be your own boss. That means that you are in control of how you organize yourself and it is vital that you set up a system for yourself that you can follow every day. Having a system allow for you build consistency and discipline. Once you have your system going, parents will be able to see your system and are more likely to respect it because you don't take it lightly.

5. Learn to read the parents behavior and needs: Parents all have different parenting styles and values, and each family has its own unique expectations and wants. In order for parents to trust your care-giving skills, you need to earn their trust and they need to earn yours. The best way to do that is to have intentional conversations and to make sure all parties are on the same page.

Trust is a two way street!

6. Build a business plan that will be sustainable: We know we need to write one, but we don’t always know how to. That’s where YOU come in. Your job is to do some research and to learn what makes a business plan good, and then to write a plan that will work for your business. The key thing to remember is that a business plan is only as good as the data that you used to make it. That’s why we always recommend that you get to know your potential clients and understand their needs. That's the first step in writing a child care business plan. People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan.

7. Be proactive with parents, not reactive: When you’re dealing with a parent, be proactive. Don’t get into situations where you’re reacting to things. Take the lead on what is going on and don’t wait until someone is complaining to try and help. The average parent has enough to worry about so being as professional as you can be is very important. Do not be afraid to speak up, but definitely do everything in a tactful manner and send out surveys here and there to see how you can make your business even more better for yourself and for the families that you serve.

8. Leverage Social Media to Build Relationships: How do you think your current customers feel when your business is mentioned? What about when your customers or your potential customers see your business on social media platforms? If you have the opportunity to tell your story through social media, don't let it pass you by. People like to connect with people as much as they can. When parents come to your page, your page should tell a story. They should know how to reach you in multiple ways and have a good idea of what your childcare is about based on the content you have posted. We are in the information age and people need information to make sound decisions.

9. Develop Content for Multiple Platforms: Content marketing is important for every business, but there are different platforms on which content can be shared. A key takeaway for childcare businesses is to focus on these platforms to reach your audience. Do a bit of research to see how and what ways each platform can help you connect with your clients.

10. Educate yourself and stay up to date with industry trends: A great resource for learning about the trends in the child care industry is the Child Care Marketing Report. The report will tell you everything you need to know about what’s popular, what’s hot, and what’s not in the child care industry.

11. Last but not the least, have fun and be yourself: In conclusion, to make 2022 the most profitable year as a child care provider, you need to start by assessing where you are. This is the first step to change. You should know your weaknesses, strengths, and your goals for the year. You’ll find that you’re not alone when it comes to the day-to-day challenges of running a successful business. It’s important that you develop a business strategy that will help you meet your financial goals, and be sure to have the proper systems in place to help you do that. DO NOT be afraid to delegate some of your tasks!

We are always here to help you if you have questions, need advice, guidance, or just products and services that will serve you and your business. If you had not had the opportunity to BROWSE around the Daycare Time Solutions website.

BROWSE SHOP ALL

Also, if you have not signed up for our Provider Monthly email newsletter which comes out once a month, do not miss out especially going into the new year! You will receive tips, savings, mindset coaching, free resources, and more. Read more by clicking the link below and I look forward to seeing your name as you join us!

PROVIDER MONTHLY

Hello Tax Season!

We love our childcare programs, but oh boy when it comes to taxes, it can be a headache. A lot of times, we push it to the back of our minds until it's time to face it head on. No matter how you feel about the tax season, being a business owner, we have an obligation like all businesses to make sure to file our taxes and you definitely want to make sure they are filed correctly.

In most states, you are responsible to pay both federal and state taxes. (Check with your state to make sure). For this reason, you want to make sure you are keeping careful records while also ensuring that you receive every deduction that you are entitled to!

In an attempt to keep records of parent's payments throughout the year, many providers are taking advantage of parent communications apps such as Brightwheel, ProCare, Daily Connect, KidKare, etc.

You are a small business owner whether you are keeping your grandchild, have one or a few children, or a full program. Here are some valuable tips on other records to keep that we can think of off the top of our heads. (If you are using one of the parent communication apps, you are probably already keeping track.)

• Attendance records showing the days and hours that a child was in your care

• Receipts for expenses

• Housing and utility bills

• Transportation bills and receipts, including mileage records

• Meal subsidy reimbursements

• Records of payments for your services

• Online purchases such as marketplace, Amazon, or craigslist with a description of purchase.

Don't rely on canceled checks or credit card statements to prove that you made a purchase. Keep and file the original receipts to help ensure that your deductions will be accepted.

Space Deduction: For in-home businesses, the IRS typically requires that a home office or workspace be used exclusively for the home business and no other purpose. The rooms and space that you use regularly when caring for the children of your clients may qualify for a deduction. If you know what you can deduct on your taxes, you'll be able to keep better records.

We recommend hiring a Tax Professional: Even if your income from your childcare business is modest, you may benefit from hiring a tax professional to prepare your annual returns. Professionals may be able to identify deductions that you might otherwise miss. Also, he or she will ensure that you are reporting your income correctly, reducing the risk of an audit or having to pay penalties and interest because of an error in your calculations. If you decide to hire a tax professional, ask if he or she is licensed and also ask if he or she has experience in preparing returns for home childcare clients who are on the food program. If you participate in this program, you'll need to keep track of your reimbursements and actual meal expenses to determine whether you'll be able to take further deductions on the food you purchase.

If you have tax questions, are filing for the first time, or just need a tax preparer who knows childcare taxes for your area, Daycare Time Solutions, searched out qualified consultants that can help. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation by clicking on the link below.

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