Indeed, today's home-based day care provider functions as a Jack or Jill of many trades. And, you need all the skills of a successful entrepreneur, because you are one. This includes self-discipline, creativity and business management. But beyond that you need an ability to step outside the stress, a real ability to keep your perspective if the day doesn't go well, and an ability to deal with the isolation from other adults that you'll inevitably feel at times. You've got to be able to laugh at it all.
Some estimates are considerably less.
Additional income or expense reduction comes to many providers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child and Adult Care Food Program. Family child care registration is usually handled by state governments and guidelines vary by state. But six pre-school children in care at a time, including the provider's own, is a typical maximum number allowed for sole providers. Some states allow in-home group providers to care for larger numbers, but they usually require additional staff. Nieman cares for three of her own children.