Starting Your Own Daycare - Ten Vital Things to Prepare For

By Monique Buzaglo

Starting a home daycare can be an exciting process, but there are many things to know before opening your doors for business. The following list contains several points for a prospective home daycare provider to ponder:

1. You are not a babysitter

A home daycare is not a babysitting side business, which is considered to be a low value service. You will offer much more than watching over the kids; you will teach them and nurture their emotional, physical and mental development.

2. Safety first

When starting your own home-based daycare, you must be safety-oriented. Every mom wants to send their kid to a safe environment, and therefore safety must be your top priority.

3. Record keeping

As a daycare provider, you must keep good records of all the money leaving and entering your account. You will also need to have on hand different forms and documentation regarding the kids under your supervision.

4. Minimizing risk

As a day care provider and business owner, you will need to minimize your risks in several places. This includes setting up the correct insurance and legal business entity, making sure you follow state rules and regulations, keeping the environment safe and clean, and of course, keeping an eye on the children under your supervision.

5. Activity planning

When opening a home daycare, you will need to get organized for daily activities. Such activities can include arts and crafts, singing, and hundreds of other quality learning activities. It's a good idea to do some research at your local library to discover activities that will interest the children under your care.

6. Nutrition

As a child care provider, you will be expected to make meals and snacks for the kids. It is wise to choose healthy and age-appropriate foods and avoid any choking hazards or food allergies.

7. Client communication

It is a good idea to treat the parents well, since they are your clients. Keep them up to date about what's going on at your day care. One idea is to send them a weekly monthly newsletter via e-mail or send a printed version home with their child.

8. Know your state rules

In many places, you can't just put out a shingle and declare you're open for business. Child care is regulated by each state and you should know the relevant laws and regulations.

9. Preventing burnout

Opening a daycare can be a great solution for many mothers, but it is wise to avoid burnout. One way of doing this is to mark down days off in your annual calendar and child care contract.

10. A chance to make a big difference

If you're committed to opening a home-based daycare, then try to do a great job. You have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the kids under your care and help your community. This is not something to be taken lightly.

Overall, there are plenty of issues to know about before starting your own daycare. I hope these ten concepts help you start your journey. - 31371

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