How to Open a Successful Daycare
Running a daycare is an ideal business for entrepreneurs that enjoy children. It can also be a way for you to earn money while taking care of your own children. Still, it can take some work if you want to own a truly successful daycare. Realize that you aren't just watching children--you are caring for them. Treat the children in your daycare with love and respect, just as you would your own children. When your daycare kids look forward to coming to daycare every day, you know you're a success.
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Things You'll Need
- Dedicated daycare space
- Local and state regulations
- Daycare license (depends on the state)
- Business registration paperwork
- Craft supplies
- Age-appropriate toys
- Healthy snacks and/or meals
Instructions
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Research local regulations regarding daycare. You may have to apply for a license if you want to have a daycare in your home. Local governments often set regulations for how many children you can watch at any given time. Daycare registration may involve a home inspection, so be sure to do a child safety check of your home to ensure that children will be free from harm.
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Decide on a space for your daycare. While many people choose to open a daycare out of their home as a small business, you may be interested in opening a larger center. If this is the case, look for a building that has several rooms to use to separate children by age.
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Specialize in a particular age group. You can find more success when you become an expert with a particular age group. For example, you may want to focus on preschool-age children, watching them full day and helping them to learn through play. Alternatively, you could focus on school-age children, holding daycare after school and helping children complete their homework while parents are still at work.
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Purchase toys and crafts that are age appropriate. You'll need things for your daycare children to do while in your care. Choose toys that are designed for the age group that you are serving. Young children will need more toys than older ones, but older students may need more craft supplies and general school supplies to complete their homework.
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Plan daily activities to enrich the children. Set a schedule and try to stick to it. You may want to have time that's set aside for free play or crafts. You may also have a special day of the week that you take the daycare children to a park. If you're organized, and children know what to expect from their day, they are less likely to have behavioral issues.
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Advertise your daycare within the community. If you want to run a successful daycare, you'll need customers. Advertise your daycare through a local free paper or in local businesses that cater to children. Some cities have a babysitting referral network that parents can call for daycare referrals. Make sure that you are a part of this organization if your city has one.
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References
- Photo Credit meddygarnet/Flickr.com
