How to operate and start a Daycare?

Answer 1

I opened my in-home daycare while 5 months pregnant last June. Here is how I got started:

First of all I came up with a name and had my husband help me create fliers and business cards. Word of mouth is a great way to start. I passed out fliers and cards to everyone we knew, and spread the word that I was opening an in-home daycare about 2.5 months before I planned to open.

I'm not sure how familiar you are with daycare policies but I worked in several daycares prior to this and had a pretty good idea of what policies I wanted to implement. You can ask some local daycare centers for a copy of theirs to go off of if you'd like. If you want to see mine you can visit my website (it needs updating though, I have made revisions and changed my logo) but you'll get the idea. I'll put the link to it at the bottom of my answer.

I purchased nap mats and a couple porta-cribs (NOT playpens). I bought a lot of toys from second hand stores and garage sales to accomodate all ages and stages. You will also need several highchairs, bouncy seats, exersaucers...if you don't already have them.

Then I ran an ad in both the local newspapers and got a great response. When I had parents come for a "tour" I had all the paperwork (forms, handbook...) in a folder for them to take home, I went over it briefly with them. Then had them go home and think it over, told them to call with any questions, then did a follow up call in two days to see if they needed anything else or would like to visit again.

There are a lot of state regulations that you will need to look at also and they do vary from state to state. You can contact your local Department of Human Services to get tat info.

8 months later my business is going wonderfully, I am happily staying home with my 4 year old son and 5 month old daughter...plus I have 4 other kids in my daycare (I'm currently full). I also have 2 on my "waiting list". There is so much more to it, so if you would like more info or advise I'd be happy to help, it's such a great way to be able to stay home and still afford the little things :) You can email me at [e-mail] (the link is on my Answers profile too)

Here is my daycare's website (again, it needs updating...I don't really use it)
http://www.the-tot-spot-home-daycare.com...

Best of luck!!

Answer 2

Start by learning all you can about how a day care center is run: Staffing, finances, regulations, etc. You may be able to research some of this online or in your local library, but your best source will be to find someone who runs a daycare and is willing to show you what's involved. Try a local church or non-profit center in your area.

If that doesn't work, borrow a friend's kid and visit as many daycare centers as you can find, asking as many nosy questions as you can think of. (Well-run daycare centers are very accustomed to answering lots of questions from nervous parents.)

Answer 3

It will vary by state. You need to contact your local license agent (typically affiliated with Social Services) they can give you a packet of info on what to do and where to start. Also, check to see if there is a child care referral program in your area. They typically have some resource info for people who want to start a day care.

If you are planing to open a day care center-you will need to be sure you get a building that will meet licensing codes (fire exits for various age groups, proper play yard, correct square footage for the number of children you plan to keep). All of this is regulated in most states-you don't want to buy/rent a building only to find you have only enough space for 10 kids and can't cover your costs. If you plan to serve meals that are made at the center, you will need to have a kitchen that can pass the inspection of licnesing and the health dept. Yes, you will jump through lots of hoops and it will be costly but a quality day care center will often have a waiting list of parents so you will be able to maintain your numbers and meet your fixed costs (building, supplies, teachers). You also need to hire teachers who meet minimum state requirements-in VA center teachers must have 16 hours of training annually plus CPR/First Aid certs. Your teachers will make the program-a great location and nice toys mean little if your staff is not good or poorly trained.

If you start a home based day care, again check with licensing, you will have more relaxed building standards. But you may still need to hire staff and will have look at a budget for supplies and materials. And consider if your home is really set up to accomidate 6-12 children in a positive manner. And be sure your home owners/renters ins will cover this operation! Not all policies will cover you and if a child falls off the swing and breaks an arm you need to know if you pay a deductable or pay a hospital bill!

You should contact the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to get input on this too. You need to look at your community and see if there is a need for day care and what ages are in need of care. Don't go in thinking $$$$ because you will never see that. Yes you might make $145 a week for infant care-but you have all those fixed costs and a student teacher ratio to maintain so once you cover all those you will see a small profit. It is hard work, long hours, often under appreciated by the general public-but if you love kids and want to help them to become productive members of society-then by all means look into opening a program.

Answer 4

If its on your place get permission first out of your landlord. In some states in case you have under 5 teenagers you don't desire a license it is not a daycare it would be called a familycare. you will possibly nevertheless ought to sign in commencing with the board of wellness.

Answer 5

You first need to check with your state and local laws and regulations to find out the process of getting licensed. You need to be licensed in order to be legal. Go through your licensing requirements begin advertising and you are on your way to a successful daycare.

Answer 6

call your local health dept and ask they can give you all the numbers you need also they can give you the day care checklist of what you need to have such as a room for sick children who might have chicken pox who cant be exposed to other children ect. theres a big list like that fire exstinquisher ect. good luck.

Answer 7

Hope you like red tape! You will find endless hoops to jump through in your quest. If you are dedicated to the venture and don't mind paperwork, check with your state on regs.

Answer 8

well im not sure where ur from..but where im from in ohio ,if u go the welfare building u can get certified and do day care from your own home.they supply u with clients too

Answer 9

You should find out the rules and regulations for your state.