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Many women consider starting a family daycare in their home as a way to make extra money for the family. Before starting, here are some things to consider in order to start on the right track.
Characteristics of the profession
Before starting a home business in daycare there are some things that must be considered first. There are certain qualities that exist in a person that is in this business. Just because you have children doesn’t necessarily mean that you are qualified to take care of other children as a career. The characteristics of a child care provider would include: enjoys working with children, treats children with respect, has good oral and written communication skills, excellent organizational skills, is patient, flexible, and reliable. These characteristics are very important in this business. Not only are you dealing with children but their parents as well.
Education and Professional Licensing
You don’t need a college degree in order to work in this business, although it wouldn’t hurt. You do, however, need to be trained in CPR and First Aid. Your local American Red Cross can help you in this area. If possible take some early childhood classes at a local college. These classes could be helpful in understanding the growth and development in children. They may also help in developing activities to do with the children throughout the day. You may also benefit from taking a small business management course.
Most states have certain regulations for persons who operate family daycares from their home. They may require that you can only care for a certain amount of children in your home without being licensed. If you decide to become licensed, then the state will come to inspect your home to make sure that it adheres to the state’s guidelines. Then they will periodically inspect your business throughout the year. You can check with your state’s social services department to find out what their regulations are. Some cities and/or counties have additional regulations such as requiring you to obtain a business license or zoning restrictions. Contact the city’s clerk office to find out more.
Equipment and Paperwork
The most important equipment you will need is space. You must determine if there is adequate spacing for the children to play in without destroying your home. A spare bedroom, family room, or basement may be enough depending on the amount of children you will care for.
You will need to have toys and books appropriate for the age group(s) you will be caring for. For older children you want to include various materials to make crafts. You will also need equipment for sleeping such as cribs, cots, or a floor mat. If you will care for young children, you may want to consider items such as swings, bouncy seats, and activity chairs.
Besides the equipment you will also need to have available certain paperwork. You will need a standard contract, application, emergency sheet, medical sheet, receipts, and accounting records. Your contract will consist of the agreed payment, when payment is due, and any rules that you wish the parent to adhere to (late payments, late pick ups or drop offs, bounce checks, supplies for their children etc). Your emergency and medical sheets will contain information such as an emergency contact, allergies, pediatrician, medications, and immunization records. Optional paperwork could include menus, daily activities, and permission slips for field trips.
Another item that you may want to consider is liability home insurance. No matter how much you child proof, accidents can happen. Also keep safety equipment such as a first aid kit, smoke detector, and fire extinguisher. This is a business and you need to cover all grounds.
Pricing
There is no exact formula for coming up with the best rate for services. You don’t want to charge too much or too little. The best thing to do would be to call other family daycares and/or daycare centers to determine a median price. Keep in mind, that as a business owner that you have business expenses and personal expenses. Consider these things when determining your fees.
Marketing
The best way to get clients is word of mouth. Tell family members and friends about your business. Place ads in places where you’ll find children such as the library, pediatrician’s office, and grocery stores. Other places to place an ad include newspaper, local parenting magazines, and yellow pages. The social service department may be able to offer referral as well.
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