what is required to start the business?what to charge?
setting policies and procedures?
attracting clients?
establishing daily schedule?
planning activities for children?
billing and accounting?
managing cash flow?
record keeping?
keeping clients happy?
growing business?
2006-07-27 17:25:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anne W 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.
Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* Start & Run a Home Daycare by Catherine M. Pruissen
* Starting a Child Care Center: The Indispensable Guidebook for Starting a Day Care or Child Care Business by Millicent Gray Lownes-Jackson,
* Opening & Operating A Successful Child Care Center by Dorothy June Sciarra
* The Business of Child Care: Management and Financial Strategies by Gail H Jack
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-07-28 03:24:09 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, get some knowledge of the business you are going into. The basic knowledge would give you some confidence.
You need a business license and any other licenses dictated by federal or national govt..some govt would require you to have a diploma in pre-school teaching or someting.. so check this out with your local govt.
What to charge - know your competitor - those in the same business - and know what they charge, what services they provide.
Policies and procedures: along the lines of following given policies and procedures in day care centers, you would also want to customize it accdg to the kind of day care u wanted it to become.
Attracting clients: marketing, marketing, marketing. Buy a book on marketing management. will help u a lot.
Daily sked and activities: check out your competitiors and add some creativity to it.
Billing and accounting and cash flow, record keeping: But MBA for Dummies and Accounting for Dummies
Keeping clients happy: check out ur competitor, define your company vision and mission.. you will know from there...
Growing the business: Will grow when u are creative, attentive to the business and love ur customers.
good luck.. tough world out there.. earn and learn as you go... u cant have all the answers in one sitting. but u have to do it to know ur capabilities. the best of luck to you.
Business is the school of hard knocks!
2006-07-27 18:33:16 · answer #2 · answered by The Punisher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The U.S. Small Business Administration has some good information. Try the PDF file listed below.
http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-29.pdf
2006-07-27 17:31:44 · answer #3 · answered by ted_armentrout 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first step is to prepare a business plan. Even if you will not be applying for a bank loan, a business plan helps you to think through your business - what it needs, who it will benefit, how much it will cost, and what is its potential. Here are free business plans on childcare business that you may want to look into:
http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-30.doc
http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/BPWORKBK.pdf
http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/CDCPLAN.pdf
http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/sbic/bplans.htm
You may want to read the free article "How To Start Your Own Day Care Center" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol40/daycare.htm It covers various aspects of starting and running a daycare center including the demand for daycare centers, how to start this business, shoestring strategies, how to operate a daycare center, tips on caring for the children, income potential, how to manage your daycare, marketing your business and other additional income potential. There are so many things to learn about the business that the first step is to read everything you can find.
Other articles you may want to read:
Starting a Child Day Care Business http://www.libsci.sc.edu/BOB/class/clis748/Studentwebguides/ss02/pollack2.htm
Childcare.net http://childcare.net/indexnew.shtml
Starting a child-care services business http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,290241,00.html
HOW TO START A QUALITY CHILD CARE BUSINESS http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-29.pdf
For in-depth information, I suggest checking out the following books:
- Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care
- The Daycare Provider's Workbook
- Start Your Own At-Home Child Care Business
- So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center :
Everything You Need to Know to Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program
It is also important that you learn the tax rules affecting daycare centers, especially if you are going to open one from your home. Here is the IRS page on child care centers: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/content/0,,id=99878,00.html
As for the licenses and requirements in your state, the Administration for Children and Families provide a state by state listing of contacts for licensing and regulations governing child care businesses:
http://www.nccic.org/statedata/dirs/regoffic.html
In Connecticut, for example, you would need http://www.dph.state.ct.us/Licensure/apps/G_C_InitialAppReq.pdf
- child day care center initial application
- supplemental application
- lead testing (for pre 1979 buildings/houses)
- first aid course certification
- proof of worker's compensation form
- verification of experience for head teacher
- local health department approval
- fingerprints of staff
- many more
2006-07-28 08:48:06 · answer #4 · answered by imisidro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to all these other good answers, ask your insurance agent for a Daycare application. It will bring up all sorts of implications and situations you never thought of.
2006-07-27 17:48:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must apply for a license from the state, and they set the guide lines.
2006-07-27 17:30:45 · answer #6 · answered by Granny 1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See the link below. You should use Google.com and just type in your question. It's faster then using yahoo answers.
Good luck.
2006-07-27 17:30:35 · answer #7 · answered by keep_up_w_this 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋