I really want to start a daycare but don't know where to start. Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

The first step is to prepare a business plan. Even if you will not be applying for a bank loan, a business plan helps you to think through your business - what it needs, who it will benefit, how much it will cost, and what is its potential. Here are free business plans on childcare business that you may want to look into:

http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-30.doc
http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/BPWORKBK.pdf
http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/CDCPLAN.pdf
http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/sbic/bplans.htm

Other articles you may want to read:

Starting a Child Day Care Business http://www.libsci.sc.edu/BOB/class/clis748/Studentwebguides/ss02/pollack2.htm
How To Start Your Own Day Care Center" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol40/daycare.htm
Childcare.net http://childcare.net/indexnew.shtml
Starting a child-care services business http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,290241,00.html
HOW TO START A QUALITY CHILD CARE BUSINESS http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-29.pdf

For in-depth information, I suggest checking out the following books:

- Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care
- The Daycare Provider's Workbook
- Start Your Own At-Home Child Care Business
- So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center :
Everything You Need to Know to Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program

It is also important that you learn the tax rules affecting daycare centers, especially if you are going to open one from your home. Here is the IRS page on child care centers: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p587/index.html

As for the licenses and requirements in your state, the Administration for Children and Families provide a state by state listing of contacts for licensing and regulations governing child care businesses:
http://www.nccic.org/statedata/dirs/regoffic.html

In Connecticut, for example, you would need http://www.dph.state.ct.us/Licensure/apps/G_C_InitialAppReq.pdf
- child day care center initial application
- supplemental application
- lead testing (for pre 1979 buildings/houses)
- first aid course certification
- proof of worker's compensation form
- verification of experience for head teacher
- local health department approval
- fingerprints of staff
- many more

Answer 2

I would strongly recommend that you talk to a business counselor before you do anything especially spend money. I'd call the local office of SCORE (go to http://www.score.org and input your zip code to find the chapter nearest you), the advice is FREE.

The counselor at SCORE will most likely advise you to write a business plan which is very good advice because it will force you to dig out all of the start up details and the costs of starting a gaycare and force you to also understand all of the aspects of this business including the customers you'll concentrate on (your market ) and how you'll go after them.

You'll need to register the business with your state controller's office and make sure that you have any city and county licenses if any are needed where you live. All of this will come out in a business plan.

Try this link :
http://www.ychange.com/small-business-co... and read some of the articles especially the ones about a business plan and starting a business.

Answer 3

So, you think you’d like to start a day care but where to
start? Let’s assume you know nothing about the industry
except that it involves children!!! That’s pretty much
the position I was in when I started my day care 10 years
ago and I spent a year and a half researching and learning
before I got going. Before you go running for the hills
in dismay allow me to cut short the research time a little
with some pointers on how best to prepare for the exciting
adventure that is ‘Starting a daycare business’.

Every successful venture starts with a well thought out
business plan thus enabling the entrepreneur (you) to get a
clear, overall picture of what your business will entail.
This is the vital, unavoidable first step if you are to
have any chance of understanding what it takes for your
idea to succeed. Many people get to the business plan stage
and no further due to a realisation that the project is
unfeasible for whatever reason. So, use your business plan
as the first step in your research to figure out if your
business will be viable.

Introduction/description,benefits, market research, key
financials and conclusion. These are the vital elements
of starting any business and are covered by your business
plan. I found it to be a great ‘checklist’ of things to do
as I worked my way methodically through each of the
required steps. Areas I might have omitted or glossed over
were covered leaving me with thorough and accurate vision
of my business. Like a good teacher it provided the
questions and ensured I filled in the blanks. Business plan
templates abound but here a few that I quite like.

www.sba.gov USA
www.bytestart.co.uk UK
www.teagasc.ie/startingyourownbusiness/template.htm Ireland

Next, talk to the experts. Arrange a meeting with your
local licensing representative, have them visit your
premises and find out what they will be requiring in terms
of premises layout, contents, play area and general health
and safety issues. Get them to give you guidelines and
tips on policies and paperwork. Don’t be afraid to ask
questions – remember this is the expert, the person who
will be granting you a license so best to have a heads up
on what they will expect from you. Prepare in advance of
this meeting and come armed with a list of comprehensive
questions so you don’t waste a great opportunity to absorb
as much knowledge as possible.

When I was researching my business I received some of the
best tips, hints and advice from other providers, in fact,
I still make ‘information gathering visits’ once a year and
learn something new everytime. Existing daycare owners are
an invaluable resource for practical advice. Call up a
couple of established providers (preferably not too close
to your proposed venture – they might not be too enamoured
of the impending competition!), explain your situation and set up a day to go visit. People
are usually delighted to help aspiring entrepreneurs and
love discussing their own business. There is nothing quite
like the advice of people who are on the ground, doing the
day to day business.

Bring a clipboard and pen so you can jot down notes and
ideas before they vacate your head (as they do mine). Ask
questions, listen and observe. Notice daily routines, room
layout and equipment, methods for dealing with behaviours,
staff and child interaction, health and safety procedures,
hygiene practices, peruse paperwork (ask for copies of the
paperwork to help guide you when formulating your own).
Find about the best methods of advertising, what suppliers
you should use and the range of fees locally. Try to speak
with the owner or manager, the staff and the cook and get a
feel for each unique role. Don't just ask them what they
do but also ask for their opinion on how things could be
better. You will gain an immense wealth of practical
knowledge simply by asking these open questions.

These are just three steps you can take in pursuit of your
dream to start a day care business and they will provide
you with a tremendous amount of information and guidance.
Your confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve
your vision will peak and you will be propelled into
further positive action. It costs nothing but time and if
you can get yourself to this point there’s no looking back.
What are you waiting for?

Answer 4

Try starting at home first? Or rent a house where you can set it up from, on a small scale first is always good, then if you get so busy then you can start looking around for places.Start with trading post for child care sitting.Make sure you have all the qualified papers need hanging around so people feel comfortable. good luck

Answer 5

They need to be licensed by the city you live in. I believe the Alderman in your district can update you on what you need to do legal-wise to comply with the city regulations.

Answer 6

Start in the day.

Answer 7

first dude got it on point but i got the best answer