Things You'll Need:
- Daycare facility
- Startup capital
- Child appropiate furnishings
- CF-FSP Form 5017
- Credentialed daycare staff
- USDA approved meal plan
- File cabinets
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Step 1
Select a location for your daycare facility. Be sure that you have enough capital to operate your daycare until the funds start rolling in. If you do not have your own capital reserved, you may opt to take out a small-business loan for added security.
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Step 2
Ensure that your daycare facility meets all of Florida's Child Care Standards. A few examples of these standards are: a clean physical environment, sufficient indoor and outdoor space, conformity with the state fire marshal's standards as well as safe and appropriate furnishings. Some of the furnishings you will need are child appropriate chairs, tables, cribs and mats. For a complete listing and exact specifications of the Child Care Standards, visit the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Services website (see Resources section).
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Step 3
Complete form CF-FSP Form 5017 (see Resources section). This form is the official application for licensure to operate a daycare in the state of Florida. Send the completed form, along with the licensure fees, to the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Services.
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Step 4
Hire staff to work at your daycare. There must be a minimum of one staff member for every 20 children. In order to work as a daycare staffer in Florida you must complete a 40-hour childcare training course and a course for literacy and language development. The courses are taken through the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. You will be responsible for verifying the credentials of the staff members you hire. The state also requires that there be at least one staff member on site at all times with valid CPR credentials.
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Step 5
Ensure that you have a meal and snack plan in place for the children. The food prep area must meet the requirements set forth by the Florida Department of Health. If your daycare facility will not be providing meals, then you must ensure that parents will bring meals and snacks for their children. The meal and snack plans in the state of Florida must adhere to the USDA food pyramid.
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Step 6
Devise an organization plan. Using file cabinets will help you stay organized. The children's files must be organized to include their names, enrollment forms, contact information and immunization records. You will also need to have files for staff to access their credentials and background checks in case the state may ask for this information.
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Step 7
Build clientele by sending out press releases and marketing your new daycare facility. Send fliers to local churches and community organizations to help spread the word.
