The Daycare Sisters

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 actu...

In this episode, we cover what really happens during a baby’s first week at daycare, from the challenges no one talks about to what providers and parents can realistically expect. If you run a home daycare or are preparing to send your baby to one, this episode will help you understand the transition, reduce stress, and set better expectations for everyone involved. Key takeaways -Starting a baby...

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 t...

In this episode, we talk about what it is really like to run a home daycare while raising your own kids, including boundaries, money mindset, and the realities no one talks about. If you run a home daycare or are thinking about starting one, this episode will help you understand the challenges, expectations, and mindset shifts that come with mixing business and family life. Key Takeaways Running a...

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 challenge...

Sickness in home daycare, dose and drop situations, and how to create sick policies you can actually enforce as a provider. We also share real-life daycare stories, discuss provider guilt around taking sick days, and talk about why home daycare is a real business that needs clear policies and boundaries. If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you think throu...

Brandee talks with Katrina, a licensed in-home daycare provider in Arizona, about burnout, daycare contracts and policies, parent communication, provider support, and what it really takes to run a home daycare. Katrina shares how she stepped away from child care, what brought her back, and why community, boundaries, and business support matter so much for family child care providers.https://www.ti...

In this episode, we talk about red flags to watch for when families interview for your home daycare. We share real examples from daycare interviews, what parents may reveal before enrollment, and how to trust your gut when something feels off. If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you think through parent communication, boundaries, interview questions, paym...

Beth's Links - https://www.tiktok.com/@doubletroubledaycarehttps://www.instagram.com/beth_bigfamilydaycarelifehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571554910359Can you really homeschool your own kids while running a home daycare? We talk honestly about:• How she balances homeschooling and daycare• Licensing rules and ratios• Setting boundaries with parents• Provider burnout• When kids outg...

Dara's Social- https://www.tiktok.com/@darabmomandmoreIn this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, Brandee talks with Dara, an Iowa home daycare provider, about what it’s really like running a small, play-based in-home daycare. Dara shares how she started her daycare, why she chose to stay unlicensed in Iowa, and how she runs a relaxed, home-away-from-home program focused on free play and s...

If you run a home daycare or family child care program, you’ve probably experienced the moment when a child suddenly takes off running. In this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, we talk about elopement behavior (also called “runners”), why it happens, and practical strategies to keep kids safe in your home daycare environment. We also share a few real daycare stories, talk about communicatio...

In this episode, we’re talking about non-nappers in home daycare — what to do when kids won’t sleep, how to protect your break time, and how to handle parents who want to drop naps completely. We also cover:Norovirus in daycare (and how to handle illness communication)Pajama Day wins (and why kids nap better in comfy clothes)Licensing fingerprint updatesThe reality of daycare ratios and infant dem...

info@thedaycaresisters.com Let us know what you want to talk about! In this episode, we talk about what really happens when home daycare licensing gets complicated — from Parent Aware paperwork to fingerprint issues, doctor forms, surprise licensing visits, and navigating the gray areas of regulations. If you run a home daycare or family child care program, this episode will help you feel less alo...

In this episode, we talk about toddler biting in home daycare, why it happens, and how to handle it without panicking. We also share real-life daycare moments including Valentine’s Day overload, paperwork stress, fingerprinting requirements, and what “kindergarten readiness” actually means. #homedaycare #daycaresisters

In this episode of the Daycare Sisters Podcast, we talk honestly about handling difficult parents in home daycare , setting firm boundaries, dealing with late pickups and payments, and how to plan time off without burning out. If you run a home daycare or family child care program , this episode will help you protect your time, communicate expectations clearly, and decide when a family is no longe...

What We Cover in This Episode why does daycare take such a toll on your body? is daycare too expensive? how do you handle family stress while still running daycare? #homedaycare

In this episode, we talk about:-Starting a home daycare on a small budget and what actually matters-Why we don’t use expensive systems or strict curricula, and how we make it work without them-Using donations, hand-me-downs, and simple setups instead of buying everything new-How we handle potty training at daycare, including reminders, accidents, and parent communicationWe share what we actually d...

In this episode, we talk about: Parent Aware stress What we are taking on right now and what we are letting go. Daycare sickness going through the house Being in the news when we were not planning on it We also want to hear how other providers handle weeks like this! If daycare ever spills into everything, this episode is for you. 🎙️ You are not alone. #homedaycare #homedaycares #homedaycareowner...

Running a home daycare can feel incredibly lonely. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the "Instagram vs. Reality" of our jobs—from the pressure to be a perfect provider to the struggle of navigating perimenopause while chasing toddlers. We also discuss why we started this podcast (to find community!) and share a review of a toy that actually keeps the kids quiet. Time Stamps: (...

Running a home daycare is isolating, exhausting, and a lot harder than anyone admits, especially when you can’t afford to quit. The Daycare Sisters Podcast, hosted by two sisters with 30+ years of real in-home daycare experience, says the things you think but never say out loud so you can stop beating yourself up and feel less alone in this job.