What Is a Daycare Center?

A daycare center is a designated area or location where children are cared for and supervised. Some daycare centers offer specialized learning or educational surroundings targeted at certain age levels---this attracts parents who want to expose their children to a specified learning environment. Daycare centers are typically geared toward children who are between the ages of a few weeks to five years old, although many school-aged children attend after school or during summer break.

Criteria

The criteria for opening and operating a licensed daycare center involves adhering to strict guidelines that vary slightly per state. One of the main factors in a operating a day care is safety. The building or area must meet all fire and safety codes before a license is granted and children are able to be cared for. Surfaces, such as floors and steps, should be free of hazards and provide a safe clearance for walking and playing. Electrical outlets and other electrical items must be working safely and properly. Plumbing and heating must be in functioning order at all times. A safe and spacious area for learning, playing and sleeping must also be established. An area for preparing and serving food must be clean.

Location

Choosing a location for a daycare center is one of the most important steps in getting a business started and maintaining it. Many daycare centers are in a new building construction. This is one of the most beneficial ways to establish a successful business. The building can be built and designed with children's safety in mind. Counter tops can be built a little taller and walls can be built to separate areas within the center.
Some people run daycare centers out of their homes. Often times they will have to add space or make the environment more appealing or safer for children. This can be done by painting, adding childproof locks to doors, installing hypo-allergenic carpeting and adding proper heating and cooling systems.

Staff

Staffing a daycare center is fundamental in the success of the business. Staff doesn't necessarily have to be licensed in all cases, but they should be properly trained. Some areas of training may include CPR and First Aid Training, Early Childhood Development, Bilingual Training, Special Needs Training, Nutritional and Dietary, Nurses Aid and Vocational Nursing. For daycare centers that also provide educational services, states may require proper teaching licenses. There should also be enough staff on hand to care for all of the children being serviced. Typically this ratio is one adult per every six children---this could be higher if there are infants or those with special needs.

Activities

Daycare centers typically offer a variety of activities for small and school-aged children. Arts and crafts are generally popular among children. Drawing, painting and art can implement teaching children small motor skills and color development along the way. Life skills, such as preparing small and easy snacks, cleaning, and small job tasks around the center are both educational and helpful. Storytime and field trips can also be a part of daily or weekly activities at a center. Preschool reading, math and learning skills can be implemented with the assistance of a teacher or certified professional.

Funding

Funding for daycare centers varies. Most are funded privately by tuition that is paid from the parents or caregivers of the children. Some centers hold fundraisers to help raise money for the ongoing maintenance of the center, special field trips or for large-scale items, such as playground equipment. Some funding is received as financial gifts from private donors or items may be donated from area businesses, such as toys, books and sports equipment. State funding may also be available to some daycare centers. There are government grants available that assist with food to qualified centers. Parents who receive assistance from the government may also get a voucher to help pay for their childcare.

Resources

• Daycare State Licensing Requirements