How to Become a Certified Daycare Provider

Most states require daycare providers to earn certification. While each state has different certification requirements, all daycare providers must understand child development, and their business facilities must meet safety regulations.

Specific educational degrees are not required for providers who practice in their homes; however many states require college degrees for daycare facility directors. Daycare staff may need a GED or a high school diploma and meet minimum age requirements. Many states provide workshops covering early childhood development, child abuse, caring for special needs kids and nutrition.

Things You'll Need

• State licensing application
• Local zoning, health and fire inspection documents
• Daycare home or building
• Developmentally appropriate and safe toys
• Safe child-sized furniture
• Craft items
• Fence
• Playground toys and equipment
• Fire extinguishers
• File folders and other office supplies

Instructions

Research State and Local Regulations

1. Read your state and local regulations for daycare facilities (or home) and daycare staff. In most states, the social service agency (sometimes called Job and Family Services) has a department regulating daycare homes and daycare centers. For example, in Ohio, Job and Family Services regulates most day cares, but the Ohio Department of Education regulates daycare centers situated in public and charter schools. Daycare.com provides information and links for each state's department.

2. 

   Schedule important inspections.

   Schedule fire, safety and health inspections. Make appointments for yourself and all your staff to get medical examinations and medical tests required by your state.

3. 

   Do all necessary background checks.

   Schedule and pay for all background checks for yourself and staff. Although some states do not require these, it is a good safety measure. Police and sheriff departments often provide background checks. Sometimes school districts or educational service centers offer this service. The state agency that regulates day cares can direct you to a local provider.

4. Prepare the facility or daycare home. Child-proof all rooms. Provide a space for diapering. Create a colorful and safe play yard with a fence and playground equipment. Purchase supplies, such as child-friendly furniture, a fire extinguisher toys, craft items, and office needs like file folders.

5. 

   Hopefully everything gets a thumb's up.

   Attend all inspections, and wait for your certification. Hopefully the inspectors will find a safe facility with all your forms in order, and background checks successfully passed. Once all steps required by an individual state are completed, the provider will receive a certification or license.

Tips & Warnings

• Do more than your state requires.

• Talk to other daycare providers in your local area.

• Call the state agency and ask any questions you might have.

• Find help from the local small business development agency or the Small Business Administration.

• Develop a website to communicate with parents.

• Don't forget that some items needed in a childcare business are not required by states. For example, it's important to develop policy for late pick ups, sick children, and family discounts.

• Make sure that all files and emergency numbers are in a prominent place near a telephone.

• Create a weekly checklist for checking on any child product recalls of products used in your facility.

References

• National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies: State Licensing Regulations
• Small Business Administration
• National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center

Resources

• Daycare: State Licensing Standards & Requirements
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls and Product Safety News
• Recalls.gov: Your Online Source for Recalls
• Consumer Affairs: Recalls Children's Products