How to Start a Preschool at Home
There are several basic steps to complete to ensure when you open a home-based preschool it will run smoothly and families will want to have their children attend. Some of these steps are: get a license to operate a home based preschool, make modifications to your home to meet licensing requirements, plan your preschool area, buy supplies, furniture, toys, and other materials to help children play, learn and have fun.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Toys
- Art supplies
- Books
- Instructional materials
- Cleaning supplies
- First-aid supplies
- Storage
- Shelving
- Tables
- Chairs
- Forms
- Folders
Instructions
-
-
1
Contact the state childcare licensing agency and request a copy of the regulations and forms to be completed for licensing. Complete all requirements identified in the regulations, fill out the forms, and ask for a licensing representative to come to your home to approve your preschool. When you have your license, frame it and place it in a prominent place in the preschool area of your home.
-
2
Make a map or floor plan of the area of your home where you will operate the preschool. Include on this map where you will put shelves for books and toys. Mark the specialty areas or centers for group instruction, art, pretend play, water play, building materials, working puzzles, computers and reading or quiet time. Draw where tables and chairs will go.
-
-
3
Use the floor plan or map of the space to decide how many materials and supplies you can comfortably put into the preschool space. Make a list of what materials and supplies you need for each area or center you drew on your map or floor plan, how much money you budgeted for each, and what kinds of cleaning supplies you need for each kind of material or supply you buy. Preschool supplies need to be sturdy and well made to hold up to use by several children. Buy materials and supplies that are child sized and that keep preschool equipment within reach without adult help.
-
4
Buying materials and supplies for the different areas and needs of your preschool can be done in several ways. They can be bought at teacher supply stores and at stores with multiple departments for toys, book, shelves, etc. They can also be purchased by going to second-hand or thrift stores and garage sales. If you buy pre-owned materials and supplies, check them for safety, functionality and cleanliness.
-
5
Set up the preschool classroom or area in your home. Use the map or floor plan you drew to help you know where to attach shelves to the walls, set up bookcases and toy storage, organize special areas or centers, arrange tables and chairs, and organize supplies and materials that will be used by the teacher, such as cleaning and first-aid supplies, record-keeping forms, folders and files.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Children get bored quickly with their toys so rotate toys and child-related supplies (books, puzzles, art materials) on a periodic basis. Buy three or four large plastic storage boxes with lids to hold toys that are not available to the children. Change toys and materials on a weekly basis to keep interest up and behavior issues down.
When buying cleaning supplies for washing things children put in their mouths and sneezed and coughed on, be sure to read the cautions on the label. Some cleanser should not be used on things that children may put in their mouths.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Pencils on a table in a children"s room image by terex from Fotolia.com
