From Burnout to Boss: My Journey from Healthcare to Childcare
If you’re stuck in a career that’s draining you—physically, emotionally, and financially—this is your sign to stop overthinking and start taking action. I spent 15 years in healthcare, working in central sterile processing and endoscopy reprocessing, juggling full-time and part-time hours, dealing with low wages, exhausting shifts, poor leadership, and zero appreciation. It eventually caught up with me.
🔴 Burnout was real.
🔴 My health was suffering.
🔴 The stress was unbearable.
🔴 I needed change—desperately.
The easiest way to make more money in healthcare? Take on more shifts. But instead of solving my problems, it made everything worse.
I finally asked myself:
“What am I doing? Is this what my life is going to be forever?”
The answer was NO—and that’s when I made the best decision of my life.
💡 Why Childcare? Why Not?
I knew I wanted:
✅ Financial freedom – No more paycheck-to-paycheck stress.
✅ Control over my time – No more overnight shifts or on-call nonsense.
✅ A fulfilling career – Something that felt meaningful.
✅ To be home with my kids – Because time with them is priceless.
And guess what? Opening a daycare checked all those boxes.
📌 The Process: Easier Than You Think (But Annoying at Times!)
Getting licensed in Maryland wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either.
👎 Inconsistent county rules – What worked in one place didn’t in another.
👎 Vague regulations – Making sure I was “doing it right” felt like a guessing game.
👎 Slow responses from licensing specialists – I had to chase people down for answers.
At one point, I had to go over my specialist’s head just to get clear information, only to be sent right back to her. 🤦🏽♀️
But you know what? I didn’t quit.
When it came time for my first inspection, I was nervous as hell. I had to fix a few small things—like removing a second lock on my sliding door—but I passed!
And then, the real magic happened.
🚀 My Daycare Took Off Faster Than I Ever Imagined
I thought it would take months to enroll kids. Instead, I made one Facebook post, hosted a few tours that weekend, and…
🎉 I filled all 7 spots in 2 days!
🎉 My infant counted as my 8th child (the max for my license).
🎉 I was officially in business!
Fast forward two years and I now have:
💰 A full waitlist
💰 DOUBLE the income I made in healthcare
💰 Complete control over my schedule
💰 The freedom to be there for my toddler and teenager
And best of all? I love what I do.
✨ I also used apps like Wonderschool and Upwards to keep the inquiries rolling.
📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie: Childcare is a Goldmine
Still not convinced? Let’s talk stats:
📌 The average childcare tuition is $10,000–$15,000 per year per child.
📌 The demand for childcare is HUGE—many parents struggle to find openings.
📌 The U.S. childcare industry is worth over $60 billion and growing.
📌 Providers can make anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000+ per year depending on their setup.
And unlike healthcare, where raises are tiny and rare, in childcare, you set your own rates and can increase them as your reputation grows.
How I Avoid Burnout While Running My Daycare (So You Can Too!)
One of the biggest fears people have when thinking about opening a daycare is burning out—and I get it. After spending years burnt out in healthcare, the last thing I wanted was to trade one exhausting job for another.
But here’s the truth: Burnout doesn’t have to be part of the childcare industry if you set yourself up for success from the start.
Now, I actually love what I do, and I don’t feel like I’m drowning. Why? Because I put systems in place to protect my time, energy, and sanity.
Let me break down exactly what I do to stay balanced and avoid burnout—because if you’re going to make this leap, you need to make sure you’re building a business that works for you, not against you.
📌 1. I Set Clear Business Hours (And Stick to Them!)
One of the biggest mistakes new daycare owners make? They don’t set boundaries with their schedule.
Listen, if you’re not careful, parents will try to:
⏳ Drop off early
⏳ Pick up late
⏳ Text you at 10 PM about something that can wait
Not me! I run my daycare on my terms:
✅ I open at a time that works for me.
✅ I close on time—no exceptions.
✅ Late pickups? There’s a fee.
✅ I don’t answer messages outside of business hours.
I am not available 24/7, and neither should you be.
📌 2. I Take Time Off Without Guilt
At first, I was scared to take time off. “What if parents get mad? What if I lose money?”
But I quickly realized: I am not a machine.
💆🏽♀️ I schedule vacation days in advance and tell parents upfront.
💆🏽♀️ I close for holidays—just like any other business.
💆🏽♀️ I take mental health days when I need them.
And guess what? Parents respect it. They’d rather have a happy, well-rested provider than one who’s overworked and miserable.
📌 3. I Charge My Worth (No More Undervaluing Myself!)
I’ll be honest—when I started, I felt awkward about setting my rates. I worried parents would say, “That’s too expensive.” But I quickly learned:
🔹 Cheap daycare attracts the wrong clients.
🔹 Parents will pay for quality.
🔹 Undercharging leads to resentment and burnout.
Now, I charge rates that reflect my time, experience, and the quality of care I provide. And because of that, I don’t feel overworked or underpaid.
📌 4. I Make My Day Easier with Routines & Systems
Running a daycare doesn’t have to feel chaotic. I learned early on that routines save lives (okay, maybe just my sanity).
Here’s what helps me keep things smooth:
📌 A predictable daily schedule – Kids thrive on routine, and so do I.
📌 Meal & snack planning – I plan ahead so I’m not scrambling.
📌 Simple activity rotations – No need to reinvent the wheel every day.
📌 Self-sufficient kids – I teach kids to clean up after themselves.
The result? Way less stress and way more control over my day.
📌 5. I Prioritize My Health & Well-Being
When I worked in healthcare, I was a mess—physically and mentally. Now, I make my health a priority because I refuse to go back to that version of myself.
Here’s what’s changed:
✅ I meal prep to avoid unhealthy snacking. (Update- I’ve been loving Factor lately)
✅ I take walks outside with the kids for fresh air.
✅ I drink water instead of living on caffeine.
✅ I go to the doctor & dentist regularly—no more neglecting myself.
Taking care of myself makes me a better provider, a better mom, and a happier person.
📌 6. I Get Help When I Need It (Because I Am Not Superwoman!)
A huge lesson I learned? I don’t have to do everything alone.
🙌🏽 I hire an assistant when I need extra hands.
🙌🏽 I delegate when possible (like having a laundry service or grocery delivery).
🙌🏽 I lean on my daycare community for advice and support.
If you try to do everything alone, you will burn out—fast.
📌 7. I Keep My “Why” Front & Center
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself why I made this career change in the first place.
💡 I left healthcare because it was destroying me.
💡 I opened my daycare to have freedom and joy.
💡 I am in control of my life now.
I refuse to let this business turn into another job I hate—and you shouldn’t either.
✨ You Can Do This, Too!
If you’re thinking about starting a daycare but worried about burnout, trust me—it doesn’t have to be that way.
Set boundaries. Charge your worth. Take care of yourself.
You’re building this daycare for your future, not just for the families you serve. So make sure it’s a business that brings you joy, freedom, and financial success—not stress and exhaustion.
So what’s stopping you? Let’s make this happen! 💪🏽 Drop a comment and tell me: What’s your biggest fear about starting a daycare? Let’s talk! 🚀
💡 Ready to Make the Leap? Here’s How to Start
If you’ve been thinking about opening a daycare but keep waiting for the right time—STOP.
The time is NOW.
Here’s your quick action plan to get started:
1️⃣ Research your state’s licensing requirements (every state is different).
2️⃣ Join Facebook childcare groups – These are GOLD for advice.
3️⃣ Start your paperwork – Don’t overthink it; just get the ball rolling.
4️⃣ Decide your daycare setup – Home-based? Center?
5️⃣ Start networking with parents NOW – Build interest before you even open!
👊 Take Control of Your Life—Don’t Let a Job Control You
If I had stayed in healthcare, I’d still be:
❌ Overworked
❌ Underpaid
❌ Burnt out
❌ Miserable
Instead, I’m thriving, and you can too.
This isn’t just about quitting a job—it’s about taking back your life. If you’re even thinking about opening a daycare, take the leap.
🔹 You already have the work ethic.
🔹 You already know how to juggle responsibilities.
🔹 You already care about people and their well-being.
Now it’s time to turn that into your own business.
So stop doubting yourself. Stop waiting. Just do it.
📢 Tag a friend who needs to hear this! 💬 Let’s talk in the comments—what’s holding you back from starting your daycare?
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