How to Start a Nanny Service in Florida

A nanny service in Florida can include several outside activities.

Many families in Florida with children under the age of 6 work outside the home, Florida officials concluded in drafting Florida child care statute 402.26. Unlike a daycare service, a nanny service provides quality childcare in the familiar surroundings of the child's home environment. Florida's child care laws apply to both child care business owners and owners running a nanny service. Florida is home to a network of government as well as private entities designed to assist working families looking for a safe and loving environment for their children.

Instructions

1. Meet with a professional at the Florida SBDC--Small Business Development Center. The SBDC has a network of 34 business centers throughout Florida. They offer counseling and business development ideas to entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Florida. They can assist you in designing an effective business plan for starting a nanny service in your area.

2. Sign your nanny service up with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. Provide the FDCFS with the type of nanny services you want offer, your hours of service, the age of the children you'll provide services for, the maximum number of children your service will serve in the home, specifics about your nanny service, fees and eligibility and availability of transportation.

3. Apply for a Florida license to operate your nanny services. Opening a business in Florida requires you to select a business name. All Florida businesses operating under a fictitious name must register with the Secretary of State's Division of Corporations, according to Business.gov. You can apply for your fictitious name online through sunbiz.org fora registration fee of $30 as of 2010.

4. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. A federal tax identification number identifies a business entity. In Florida, employers with employees, business partnerships, and corporations and other types of organizations, must obtain an EIN from the US Internal Revenue Service. The EIN is also known as an Employer Tax ID and Form SS-4.

5. Advertise to recruit nannies. Contact the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida SBDC office, and other local nanny services to inquire about how successful nanny services in your area get most of their customers. Place an ad in the local newspaper, or post a flir on Florida college bulletin boards in your locality to begin recruiting nannies for hire.

   Questions for the potential nannies should include what experience they have, their criminal history, mental history, current and past employment status, and school status. Thoroughly investigate each candidate's background including criminal and financial information and references. Make sure they also have a current driver's license. In Florida, your nanny service can easily offer outdoor activities such as visiting parks, museums or amusement parks.

Tips & Warnings

• Make use of Florida's child care resource and referral network. This network greatly benefits a new service looking for clients. For instance, it provides an existing source of parents looking for a positive child care environment

References

• Daycare; Florida Statues; 2002
• Florida SBDC; State Designated as Florida's Principal Provider of Small Business Assistance: 2010
• Sunbiz; Online Fictitious Name Registration;
• Business.gov; Starting a Business in Florida; June 25, 2010

Resources

• Florida SBDC; State Designated as Florida's Principal Provider of Small Business Assistance: 2010
• IRS; Employer ID Numbers: August 5, 2010