Opening home daycare, tips?

Question

I've decided to quit my job as a nanny, to open my own home daycare. I'm even moving to a new home in order to accomodate this (since I currently live in an apartment). Any tips from successful providers would be appreciated. My main concern is that I'm not going to have enough kids. In order for me to break even/get by, I'll need to be almost full, like 3 full-day and 1 half-day, or 5 half-day kids. I'm planning on advertising (flyers on mailboxes/door-to-door, craigslist and kijiji, local newspapers). Anyone have any other ideas? Also, I've gotten rid of most of my own kids' baby stuff. Is it worth it to buy some used baby items or should I wait to see the ages of the kids I get?

Answer 1

I run and in home certified child care. I am certified to have six kids. I'm CPR and First Aid trained and to keep my certification I have to attend 6 hours of training a year. My first piece of advice is to make sure you have a contract between you and all your parents that you have a copy and they have a copy signed. It will state when you expect to get paid, about absences, and vacation and what holidays you are going to be closed. I would wait to see what ages you are going to get before you go out and buy a lot of items. You might go and look at some yard sales and see if you can find some toys that are in good shape for a reasonable price to start out with. Also, if you are going to be certified you can see if you can apply for a grant. I received a start up grant for $300. How I got most of my kids when I first started was I put up a flyer in my OBGYN office. I hope this helped if you would like more information please let feel free to ask [e-mail] Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I've worked at a home daycare and also at a daycare center. I think advertising would be a great way to get some good prospects. Newspapers are probably the best. I wouldnt buy any baby equipment until you know for sure the ages of the kids and how many you will have. Some of the parents may want to bring their own items for baby. Make sure that the house is up to standards when parents come to take a look at the place!

Answer 3

1. Contact your local DHR and FDA for food and nursery regulations. (This will be noted in your advertisement and make you look more trustworthy)

2. Create a resume and keep past testimonials and references on hand.

3. Visit other daycare to see what they have. (Act like you are looking for a daycare for your child)

4. Create a small, maybe 5 question survey for the "answers crew" and ask what they want most in a daycare.

5. Set your own age limits and guidelines.

6. Set a capacity limit and make it known in advertising.

7. Visit local pediatricians for advertisement.

8. Come up with a catchy name.

9. Never buy used items, its a turn -off to parents, purchase new things - they don't have to be expensive, just functional and clean.

10. Do an open house and make sure it has all of your toys and educational centers ready. A separate napping area would be nice. Include registration forms and treats. Contact local churches and businesses for this event.

11. Make sure your home has a pleasant clean smell and that you are groomed nicely.

12. Get CPR certified at your local hospital, parents would love to see that on your resume.

13. Pray, and be reassuring that this is the place they want.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

My son goes to an in-home provider and the way I found her was to look at my state's childcare licensing website. She had to have a full background check and 2 surprise inspections a year. I was able to look up her inspections online, and knowing that she has had none in 5 years of service is very comforting.

I know that personally I have recommended to a lot of other moms to check my state's childcare licensing website- so if it is available in your area, by all means- put forth the effort to get licensed! It will also help you out if you are able to take Title XX children, which you can be licensed for through your area, because that will open up more clients for you (especially considering how many people get Title XX with the gigantic price of day care). Also, when you are licensed, you are required to charge a minimum fee (for instance, in Ohio, a toddler attending less than 25 hours a week is priced at $82.09/week) which will help you break even.

The other in-home providers in my area (6 in my town) were full to capacity- 6 children at each.

The way our provider is set up is that she is in a split level house with a basement as the "day care" which opens out to her fenced yard. The main room is a play room for kids of all ages (she takes mostly 2-5 year olds) and also her office. She has a private bathroom for just the kids, and then a "napping" room for the toddlers and babies set up with 2 pack n plays, a toddler bed, and a twin sized bed. She is able to do her paperwork in the office area while the kids play and then she does not have to leave the room with the kids unattended for any reason.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Look into getting DCFS licensing. They will then be able to refer people to you for daycare. Also, I wouldn't buy bottles and things of that nature, but you may want to look in to napping arrangements such as pack n plays. Most parents will bring most of what their babies need to you, but you will need a place to change diapers and a place for the kids to sleep. I disagree about the second-hand stuff that the other person said. I don't think you need to buy new, as long as you buy things in good condition. Most people are going to expect that an in-home daycare provider is going to use their own second hand stuff. As long as things are clean and well-organized, it doesn't matter if they are not new. The best advertising is word of mouth. I'm not saying don't adverstise, but let your parent friends know what you are doing and they will be able to recommend you to people who are looking for daycare. Also, let people at schools know (especially pre-schools) and they can put the word out for you with their parents.

Answer 6

It is very wise to ensure that you have baby items (extra) for the children that you plan to have in your care. First and farmost- check with your state department and find out the procedure for insurance, licensing, number of caregivers per child. Additionally, please make sure that your contracts are clear, and examined by an attorney. (in fact, it would be a good idea to engage in an attorney/financial advisor) to ensure that the problems you mentioned are not your worry and your attention to the children can be wide open. There are other ideas and suggetions, but because I have witnessed so many lawsuits with day caregivers vs parents and contracts and fees, I would want you to be safe in that area. (oh - do background checks on your workers. I knew a lady who hired someone and did not do a background check,.come to find out the person hired was a sex offender in five states!)

Answer 7

If you are planning to move your home and you don't have time, then the best option is to take help from moving companies like jmremovals. They know better how to move items safely from one place to another.