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Step 1
Your absolute first step is to check the requirements of your state. You can typically do this online, but each state has their own requirements when it comes to how many children you can have per adult in the home or per square footage of the home, inspections you must have for fire and other safety concerns, and background checks of those in the house. If you're unclear on any of these requirements, call the board that designated the requirements and ask for clarification.
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Step 2
Second, make a list of everything that must be accomplished from those requirements and go through them one by one. Do you need to fill out an application and send in a check? Do you need to arrange for a fire inspection? Write them out carefully so you can accomplish each and not be overwhelmed; give yourself time to get them done.
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Step 3
Third, you'll probably need a business name so you can keep paperwork separate, invoice clients, and so on. Business names are obtained through the county in which you live. Once you have that business name approved by the county clerk you can open a business checking account.
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Step 4
Write up your business plan for your home daycare. What hours will you be open? What will be the acceptable ages of children you take? How will you match children with adults (most daycare facilities have a list of acceptable adults who can pick up children and may take a Polaroid of each adult for security and safety)? Where will you keep emergency contact numbers? What will you charge, including charges for adults who are late picking up the children? How will you handle misbehaving children?
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Step 5
Write up a contract that you would present to potential clients outlining all your business information, rates, and everything else. Make sure they provide you with the information you need such as emergency numbers, medical concerns of their child, and so on or don't hesitate to tell them that you can't accommodate their child.
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Step 6
Once the technical aspects of your daycare business are over with, it's time to concentrate on actually turning your home into a daycare facility. Set aside a room or space you'll use for the children. Childproof your kitchen and bathroom, and the electrical plugs in other rooms. You may want to invest in locking doorknobs for bedrooms and other rooms you don't want children wandering into.
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Step 7
When your home is safe and prepared, add in the activities the children will do when there. Toys, coloring books, art supplies, and things like these should be purchased. Shop at secondhand or thrift stores, garage sales, and on CraigsList to save some money. Write out a schedule of activities if you'll offer all-day service. Be sure to include nap time and quite time activities, and things you can do indoors for rainy or cold days.
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Step 8
Getting customers is the next step, but this is usually easy for a home daycare business. Spread the word at church or your religious affiliation, among your scrapbook friends, with friends and relatives, and so on. Ask if anyone can put an ad up on the bulletin board where they work. Talk to parents in the neighborhood and ask them to spread the word. Consider placing an ad as a last resort, as you may not need to spend the money if you use word of mouth!
