I'd like to know what child caretakers charge, any rules I should know about, etc.
Can anyone help me?
2006-11-27 04:57:29 · 5 answers · asked by PMS 24-7 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You need to research the local daycares for what they charge so you can stay competitive. And you will need to contact your county to see their specific regulations in running a business from your home. Beyond that you will probably want to be bonded or have special insurance just in case a child gets injured while in your care.
2006-11-27 05:10:05 · answer #1 · answered by whatever 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been a licensed home child care provider for 20 years. You will want to contact whatever agency in your state licenses child care homes and centers. Where I live in Michigan, it is through the Department of Human Services. They will be your best advocates in beginning your new business. There will most likely be a minimum set of rules and guidelines you will need to get licensed. As for fees, this will vary greatly. I only do part-time child care so I prefer to charge by the hour and I currently charge $3/hour. Many homes and centers charge a flat rate for the week regardless of how many hours your child is in care. You will be able to choose your fees. You may also choose some of your own rules as well. For example, I prefer to provide all meals and snacks for the children once they reach the age of 12 months. Others prefer for parents to send a packed lunch and snacks every day. Parents of infants in my care provide diapers, I provide wipes. Some providers and centers prefer to buy bulk diapers and use the same on all infants. Before I received my license I went through a training session and had a home visit. I renew my license every 3 years. I am also required by the law in my state to have a current CPR and First Aid certificate. I love my job, but it is hard work and the days are long, usually 10-12 hours per day.
2006-11-27 05:25:36 · answer #2 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't shoot me I'm just the messenger but I have some scary news about childcare businesses.
They are lawsuit magnets. Sometimes a child will fall at home and bruise their knee but the parent doesn't see it and then they think you did it and you get sued.
I think it is a very noble and honorable thing you want to do, to take care of children but you couldn't pay me enough money to do such a high risk business.
That business is one of the highest lawsuit magnets we've seen.
It is sad and a sign of the times as years ago it wasn't like that but now folks are lawsuit happy.
Even I as a child was in childcare and I loved my childcare providers but today in 2006 you couldn't pay me enough to do that.
Heck if your willing to do that, and that's hard work. You should find something where you don't have to depend on people paying you or having to put ads in to get folks to come to you for childcare etc..
Theres a home business guide that is good at the bottom link below. Hope that helps you but childcare is a lawsuit magnet waiting to happen and I wouldn't risk it. Too much to lose.
2006-11-30 07:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by gotoourconference 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to call your local business bureau to find out the laws in your area. For some ideas on how to start a daycare, here's a great reference book: Developing and Administering a Child Care Center by Sciarra and Dorsey (look it up on amazon.com) and How to Start a Quality Childcare Business in Your Home by Melody Carlson (also on amazon.com). These have great ideas and important info on the technical stuff. You also have to get licensed (so contact the licensing agency in your area, usually run by the department of human services or child welfare). There will be lots of rules that you have to follow in order to run a center, and restrictions on the people that can be in your home during the hours of operation. All people who live in your home will be subject to background investigations by the Child Abuse Index as well as the FBI check. Another great tool to use in creating a center in your home is the FDCRS (Family Day Care Rating Scale) that shows you how to assess your environment and what things you need to have to have a quality setting. You can also purchase this assessment on amazon.com. As for what to charge, that will depend on the area you live in. For an average rate, I suggest calling other centers as well as home daycares in your area and asking what they charge (you can pretend you are looking for care for your own child). Once you have a listing of about 10-15 different ones prices, average it out and that will give you an idea of what you are looking at. You also have to consider start-up costs (purchasing items, licensing costs, fingerprinting costs, TB testing) and whether or not you will be hiring any helpers. Many states do not have a requirement of educational units from a college that you have to have, but some do, so check. You may also want to consider whether or not you will be transporting children to and from school (if you do schoolage children), if you will be doing field trips, and if you will be serving snacks and lunches (or if the kids will be expected to bring their own). This is just the tip of the iceberg.... a lot goes into running a home daycare. Check it all out before you make a committment. Good luck!
2006-11-27 11:14:31 · answer #4 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did this for a while out of my home. I charged $2.50 an hour per child. This is a small community that I live in so it would vary wherever you do it from. If you do it through the state it is a little less and you have to make sure you don't wait till the end of the year to pay your taxes for it.It can be a big lump of change that way. I recommend paying either monthly or every three months..Hope this helps
2006-11-27 05:08:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋