In today’s economy, many people are finding it necessary to stream income from multiple sources. Having a dependable source of side income can sometimes mean the difference between really struggling and actually thriving financially. In-home childcare is a high-demand service that can become a profitable side business. Keep reading to learn more about ways to make money on the side with in-home childcare. 

What Does In-Home Childcare Consist of?

In-home childcare consists of providing childcare services inside your home. Many people prefer that their children be cared for in a home environment rather than a daycare center. There are many benefits to in-home childcare. Children can often get more one-on-one attention in a home setting. This is important for a child’s development and social skills. Children are also exposed to fewer germs in a home setting rather than a daycare setting. 

What Hours Can I Work?

Providing in-home childcare can be a super flexible way to make income on the side. In-home childcare can be provided during regular daycare hours. These hours usually coincide with regular work hours so that parents can leave their children at daycare while they work. However, in-home childcare can be flexible. If you are not ready to commit to regular daycare hours, you might want to consider only opening up your home for child care during certain hours during the week. This could provide a flexible child care option for parents who do not need childcare on a regular daily basis. Parents may want to take advantage of these services to catch up on errands, have a date night, or just get some needed alone time. 

How Much Can I Make?

Rates for in-home childcare vary from region to region. You will need to do some research in order to establish what the going rate is in your area for childcare. You will want to set your rates competitively so that you can attract customers. Check with local daycare providers both in daycare facilities as well as in-home providers to get an idea of how much other businesses are charging. Childcare rates often range between $10-$20 an hour. 

What Qualifications Do I Need?

If you are only going to be caring for the children of relatives or friends, you can probably make extra money on the side without any prior certifications or qualifications. As long as the parents of the children you will be caring for are comfortable with you keeping their kids, you should be good. However, if you plan to open up your home to a larger range of clients, you might want to contact your local business bureau to see what is necessary to become a certified childcare provider in your community. Having CPR and first aid training is definitely a good idea. 

The area in which you plan to provide care should also adhere to safety and cleanliness guidelines. You want your clients to feel assured that you are providing a clean safe environment for their children. This will help to provide a good reputation for your services so that you can generate future customers and clients. 

How Should I Advertise? 

Advertising for your in-home childcare can be best done with word of mouth. Once you have started providing services, your clients will share their experiences with their friends. Beyond this, you may want to consider using social media to get the word out about your services. Social media is often a free or very cheap form of advertising which can be very beneficial to your business. 

Other Considerations

When you are caring for children, you should understand that you are taking on a risk. Having sufficient insurance will be an important part of protecting yourself against liability. You may want to consider having certain waivers in place as well in order to protect yourself from liability if someone is injured. 

If you have found it necessary to make extra money on the side, in-home childcare could be a great option for you. If you have a clean safe place to provide care, you love working with kids, and you have friends and family who could spread the word, you can start making money quickly.