Unlike other professionals who work from home, family childcare providers share their homes with the children they serve, parents who bring in their children, and, in some cases, additional employees. Because their home serves both their business and private lives, physical boundaries can blur unless the provider, their family, and individuals who enter the home for any reason are all clear about such boundaries. The purpose of this study is to describe 1) how those operating family childcare businesses in their homes negotiate physical boundaries between their business and home lives and 2) how the physical boundary setting is associated with perceived well-being among providers. The preliminary findings suggest creating physical boundaries is one way that families operating businesses in their homes manage time, space, and available objects to promote well-being.

Accepted Poster Presentation