Does anyone know how to go out starting a daycare?

Question

I'm really trying to start up a daycare and can use some helpful advice from someone who may have there own business or from someone who has children in daycare. What are the things that stand out the most in your child's daycare that make you feel safe enough to allow your child attend? What is the charge for weekly for your child's daycare and what are the things that you like the most about the facility? Does anyone have any horror stories about a daycare where you may have worked or where someone has mistakenly enrolled a child into?

Answer 1

Kindness and cleanliness in that order. Attention to detail and personal relationships are also very important.

Everyone has day care horror stories, and they are a lot more exciting to tell than 'my day care provider is great and when my kid cries at home s/he cries for his/her teacher instead of mommy'. So take everything with a grain of salt.

Before you open a day care, you need to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your state/country. You also need to get certified and hopefully get some education in early childhood development.

A great way to get into the business would be to work as a day care teacher for a few years. If you find you love it and still want to open a center, then you will have more resources available. Don't try to take kids away from your employer though. That's not cool.

I don't know where you live, but this is a good starting place to find what you need. It's for Wisconsin, but I'm sure it will be helpful to you.
http://www.the-registry.org/

Good luck!

Answer 2

First off go to your local Dept of Human Services and get an application to become a subsidy provider. Your best pay will be from DHS children who have low income parents. Also they will do a background check on you and that is of first and formost importance to parents when seeking a provider. I am a child care home provider and I make a decent living on it. There are many perks, and many backfalls too. You will be held highly accountable for many things. Always ALWAYS document everything that you see going on with the kids. If they come to you with a bruise even if you are sure it's just a typical child bruise from playing... document it. You never know when it could save your tail. Rates vary so much that it's hard to give you an idea... however I charge $2.50/hr or 20/day (up to 10 hours) for 1 child. This also depends on your area too. Naturally keeping a schedule that you follow with kids is important. I would be happy to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact me and I will share my expierience with you in getting you started.

Answer 3

Well I'm not licensed, but I used to work at a good child development center before I had my daughter. And now I babysit for friends and family. If you're really trying to start up a business, not just some side money, I'd contact the sate first for all the legal and training stuff you need.

For forms like contracts, emergency authorizations, income tracking sheets, kid's time sheets, and daily report cards for infants/toddlers... this website is awesome!!
http://www.punkyschildcare.com/

Answer 4

First of all you need a degree in child psychology and early childhood education, as well as some type of nursing degree or CPR training for both children and infants. Then you need to be licensed. You also need to adhere to regulations concerning the amount of children to attendant. You need to pass regular quarterly inspections as well as show proof that anyone working for you also has an education in either early childhood education or psychology and has been certified for CPR in both infants and children. You also have to carry inusurance, if the day care is in your home you MUST upgrade your homeowner's insurance policy and be able to show proof during inspections.