Step-by-Step on How to Open a Daycare at Home

Create a happy environment for your day care.

Establishing a home daycare center is a good career option for mothers who opt to work from the comfort of their home and possess a natural love for children. This is a business like any other with the exception of low overhead and start-up costs. A home daycare center allows moms to stay home with their children while contributing to the family financial picture.

Things You'll Need

• Business permits & licenses
• Business plan
• Back-up daycare provider
• Play structures (small ride-on toys, bubble mowers, soft balls)
• Daycare supplies (diapers, art materials, chairs, tables)
• First aid and CPR training

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself and your family. Opening a daycare center business is a job like any other. You must have an innate love and patience for children. You need to enjoy taking care of kids, playing with them, doing art crafts and preparing meals. Ask your family members if they are comfortable with the idea of sharing some personal space at home. Structural house changes might need to be made depending on state regulations

2. Learn the common small business rules and regulations in your state. Requirements vary from state to state and city to city. Information can be acquired from your town's city hall. Business licensing is important when starting a home daycare. You can consult the National Child Care Information Center in your state and find out the basic requirements and paperwork. Most states require first aid and CPR training, a food licensure's permit and a business license.

3. Create a business plan. The basics of a business plan involve specifics as to how your business will be run and your future plans. Decide on the age groups and the number of children you could accommodate in your home. Determine your daily care hours, financial strategies, registration and daycare insurance.

4. Prepare your home and daycare area. Start by designating specific places at home where you want the activities to be held and what areas are to be kept private. Secure a fenced playground in your yard for outdoor activities. Having small ride-on toys, huge soft balls and bubble mowers outside for young kids to play with is a plus. You also need daycare supplies such as baby cribs, small chairs and tables, play cushions, art materials and diapers.

5. Secure an alternative care provider to fill in for you in the event of unforeseeable circumstances. Some states might require a health care provider such as a nurse to ensure the health and safety of the children.

6. Create a series of healthy lunch menu ideas. A lot of states require daycare centers to provide hot lunches to the children. Health and safety guidelines should be taken into consideration when preparing meals.

References

• Power Home Biz: How to Start Your Own Day Care Center
• Work and Wealth: "How to Start a Home Day Care;" October 2007