STARTING A DAY CARE
Starting a successful day care in your home.
 Step by Step Process
of Starting a Daycare
By Kelly Land, © 2001-2008, All rights reserved.
Day care Step 1
You need to decide if you want to be a licensed facility, enabling you to take
up to 6 to 12 children. Or, if you want to just take a few children with no
license at all. You need to first check with your local licensing agency to see
how many children you can watch without a license.
National Resource Center For Health and Safety in
Childcare
is a good start to find your state's licensing
regulations. Getting a license is a long and stressful procedure. I would first
start with a few kids and see how it goes. If you enjoy the work and would like
to take on more kids then go for the license.
Day care Step 2
If you don't have kids already then you are going to need to purchase some
books, toys and movies. When I started a daycare I went to thrift shops and
garage sales. You can find fairly new toys and books for a fraction of the
price. When you start bringing in income, then go buy the more "expensive" toys.
You will also need to print up some forms and notices for the parents to sign.
You can find some good samples of
day care forms or contracts at Childfun.
If you want to get a license, the State has strict guidelines for certain forms
that you need to send in for their approval. You will also need to decide on a
"name" for your daycare. Be creative and put a little logo with it! SAMPLE:( I
created this name for my mom's daycare) Guardian Angels Daycare~ Guarding Your
Little Angel.
Day care Step 3
You are going to need to sit down and think about how much you want to charge.
This can be tricky, call other home daycares in your area and inquire about
their prices. You need to be competitive! Here is a "average" full-time (40+
hours) weekly price plan for different ages:
Infants:$100.00 per week
Toddler:$95.00 per week
Preschooler:$95.00 per week
Kindergarten:$80.00 per week
School Age:$70.00 per week
These prices are rock-bottom. You can also charge more for night care and
weekends. I also made good "extra" income on drop-ins. Parents who need the
night off, parent wants to do some shopping etc. You would charge hourly for
this. I charged about $7.00 per hour for drop-ins. Don't price too low, this can
attract some undesirable customers!
Day care Step 4
Once you get licensed OR decide on just a few kids, you need to start
advertising! I have found that putting a sign out in the front yard attracts
attention AND business. If you are creative, create the sign yourself. If you
have a computer create some nice flyers to pass around local neighborhoods. I
would go out and stick flyers on the mailbox flags. Also put flyers in grocery
stores, Laundromats ,elementary schools and churches. Leave your name with child
care centers in case they receive more requests than their facilities can
handle. Ask if you may call people on their waiting list. Prepare and hand out
business cards. Design a logo with the name of your program. Consider using
children's art. Have your logo printed on T-shirts, knapsacks, diaper bags,
stickers, or buttons. Word of mouth is good too! If you are not licensed, some
newspapers will not let you advertise, so call and check it out. When you
receive calls be sure to have a paper handy with what you provide, your prices,
policies, and hours of operation. Do you provide meals and snacks? Or do you
require that the parents bring their meals. If you do offer hot meals then state
that. If you know CPR and first aid (I highly recommend getting certified in CPR
and first aid so you can prove with certificates to the parents) then tell them
also.
Day care Start Up Tips
(1).Once you start receiving children be sure to get correct and up-to-date
emergency phone numbers. Nothing is worse then having a sick or injured child
and getting a disconnected phone number!
(2). Make sure to have a strict payment policy in effect. Have the parents sign
a form stating these policies. I recommend the first week be paid up front with
a money order only. Each week will need to be paid before hand. If the customer
bounces a check, require that they pay only in money orders after that. I tell
you the truth, there are parents out there who jump from daycare to daycare
bouncing checks and getting free care for their kids! Be upfront about it when
you sign the parent up!
(3). Have a detailed activity planner. From the time you open to the time you
close, know what you will be doing with the kids hourly. Schedule meals,
playtime, story time, outdoor play and naps at the same time everyday. Kids are
happier and you know what to expect( if you have infants none of this applies!).
More tips to come!
If you have any tips to add please let us know! I will be more than happy to
post them. Help others learn from your mistakes and triumphs.
Daycare Resources
Day Care Hotline: Your online
resource for setting up, running and organizing a quality Home Daycare Program
Childfun: Great place for mothers and
daycare providers.
National
Network for Child Care: Childcare information from America's
leading public colleges and universities.
How to Start Your Own Daycare: A well written report!
Daycare Providers Beginner Page:
Included here is information, resources, and links to help you get started on
becoming a successful daycare provider.
 Article
Library Touching All Topics for Children and Working with Children
Extensive index of articles on behavior, eating, ADHD, crafts, safety and more.
ADDITIONAL DAYCARE BUSINESS INFORMATION
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You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center : Everything You Need to Know to
Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program
This helpful resource explains how to begin one's own day-care business,
providing information on financing, legal aspects, and effective marketing
techniques. Tips from experienced directors help minimize start-up problems.
 Start
and Run a Profitable Home Day Care
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