Things You'll Need:
- Knowledge of Local Daycare Regulations
- Licensing
- A Child-Proof Home
- Supplies
- CPR and Emergency Training
- Insurance
- Business Plan
- Marketing and Advertisement
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Step 1
Learn the laws. Each state has unique regulations regarding home based daycare businesses, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the laws in you area. Most specify the number of children that a child care provider can have at one time, but the laws vary widely. Some states require no licensing; others require all caregivers to be licensed; and some allow caregivers to take on a few children without being licensed, but mandate licensing for larger groups of kids.
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Step 2
Get your house in order. While most homes with children are already equipped with child safety products such as outlet covers, stairway gates, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, these items become mandatory when a home is used as a daycare. Most states regulate such safety standards, but even in those that do not, common sense dictates that everything possible should be done to ensure the safety of children.
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Step 3
Go shopping. In all likelihood, it will be necessary to buy some supplies in order to start a home daycare. Each child in attendance should have their own play yard or cot for napping, as well as safe bedding. Sippy cups, kids’ plates and eating utensils, craft supplies, books, puzzles, and age-appropriate toys are the basics, some of which may already be in place in houses with young children. It may be worth the investment to buy high quality supplies from teacher’s stores as opposed to equipment that is designed for home use, because everything will be getting a lot of daily wear and tear.
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Step 4
Take a class. Many states require that all child care providers be certified in CPR and lifesaving techniques, but even in those that do not, it’s wise to take steps in order to be prepared in case of emergencies. When parents drop their kids off for the day, they should be assured that their children are in safe and capable hands.
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Step 5
Call your insurance agent. Homeowners policies typically do not provide automatic coverage for home-based businesses, but most companies offer a rider for home daycare providers. It’s vital that you be amply insured in case a child was to be injured at your house. If you plan to transport children in your personal vehicle, make sure that your car insurance provides coverage, too.
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Step 6
Establish your business policies. Before enrolling the first child, you must make a few decisions. What hours are you available? What will you charge? Are you willing to keep children when they are ill, or do you expect parents to make alternate arrangements for their sick kids? Do you want to have formal contracts with parents or are you planning to take a more casual approach? There are no “right” and “wrong” answers to these questions, but you should have definite ideas about how you want to run your business.
Setting fees can be tricky. You need to be competitive, but you don’t want to shortchange yourself, either. Placing a few calls to other caregivers in your area can help you to decide on a reasonable price for your services. -
Step 7
Set up your files. While there needn’t be an enormous amount of paperwork, all businesses are sure to have some. Keeping files for licensing information, emergency contact information for each child, copies of your contracts and policies, and receipts for tax deductible purchases can make it much easier to stay organized.
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Step 8
Spread the word. Drumming up business it vital, especially when you are getting started. Placing ads in local newspapers can be useful (save those receipts – advertising costs are tax deductible!), as can simply posting flyers on the bulletin boards of local businesses. Be sure to tell everyone that you know that you are looking for clients; networking can be a powerful tool in running a successful home daycare!
