Has anyone opened a home daycare?

Question

If you have, I would like to know how you set up your house, what your schedule was like and how you prepared food if it was only you in the house with the children. What kind of outdoor toys did you have? How did you advertise?

Answer 1

I take my children to an at home daycare.

I encourage you to contact your local city manager. This person will have the information you need to start the daycare. One problem our at home daycare provider ran into was nutrition. Even though the children were not going ungry, a state official gave a surprise inspection and found one fault with the food. It was not a major problem, but if your going to have the business you have to do it by their rules.

The schedule she keeps is open at 7:30 and the children have to be picked up no later than 5:30. Really this is up to you.

They will also have surprise inspections to check on cleanliness, safety, etc.

Our daycare provider has Fisher Price activities outside. There is a sandbox (which I'm not too keen on, the sand gets everywhere), a swing set for infants/toddlers and a kids park bench. She really likes them because, being plastic, she can easily wash them down and carry them into the garage if needed.

Our daycare provider simply placed a sign in her front lawn using an old realtor's for sale sign. She takes it down when she has a full group and puts it should an opening come up.

Good luck with your new adventure.

Answer 2

I personally have not but I do have some information that will assist you further:

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!

Answer 3

No I have no sory