Starting a Child Care Business


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	Child Care Conferences State Regulations NAEYC National Child Care Information Center National Network for Child Care Child Care Aware

Starting a Family Day Care Business

Regulations
When you decide to start a child care business, the first step is to find out what your state regulations are. You can contact your State Office of Children and Families or your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R). You can find your local CCR&R at www.ChildCareAware.org. Once you have decided the maximum number of children you will care for, you can apply for the appropriate licensing.

Daycare Contracts & Business Forms
Good record keeping is necessary in running any business. In the child care business you are obligated to keep certain records, such as child immunizations. Keeping written records of other data, such as your fee agreement, will make your business run more smoothly. See our Child Care Business Forms page for a description of the forms we have found helpful.

Environment
Set up the area in which you plan to care for children. Follow state guidelines, as well as common sense, in creating an environment that is clean, safe and developmentally appropriate. Consider how you will create a nurturing environment, which promotes the growth and development of the children in your care.

Think about what services you are willing to provide. Keep in mind the ages and developmental stages of the children you will care for. Ask yourself whether you are equipped to care for infants or school-age children. Are you willing and able to care for children with special needs? You may wish to take only infants or children with special needs. All these things must be considered to create an appropriate environment for the children in your care.

Materials & Equipment
Look for toys and activities that promote the growth and development of the children in your care. You may have some or all of the materials you need. You can add materials and equipment as your business grows. Make sure that any of the materials you are using, whether they are newly purchased or those you have accumulated from your own children, are in good repair and are appropriate for all children in your care.

Include your own children in decisions regarding the use of their toys in your child care program. Give them the opportunity to voice concerns they may have about sharing their toys with the other children in your care. Discuss with them items that may be unsafe or inappropriate for younger children in your care and the importance of keeping those items separate from your daycare area.

Set up an appropriate play area outside. It is best to have a fenced in area, free from any swimming pools or other water sources. This area should be free from debris and animal droppings. Toys should be kept covered and thrown away when they become broken or tattered. Toys that cannot be covered should be washed frequently and checked daily for maintenance and cleanliness.

Provide activities for the children that promote development and the use of imagination. These items should include books, puzzles, art supplies, blocks, dolls, cars, musical instruments, etc. You can find the CCVillage online toy store at www.CornerToys.com. We choose only those toys and equipment that offer the highest standards in developmental value. CCVillage Members can save even more with our "Members Only" toy sales.

Child Activities
Create a plan that will help guide your day. Allow time for meals, snacks, arts and crafts, circle time, stories, naps, free play and group activities. Do not crowd yourself or the children into a schedule that is difficult to achieve. It is better to provide a quality experience for the children than to overwhelm them with too many activities. This will also keep you from becoming overwhelmed, which helps you to care for the children at your best.

CCVillage Membership includes a monthly calendar of planned activities, as well as hundreds of printable activity sheets, coloring pages and creative art activities. We also include a sample daily activity schedule for providers to follow or to use as a guide to create the own schedule. Using our activity plan helps save providers time and money in creating a quality day care experience for the children.

Advertise
Tell everyone you know that you are starting a business. There is nothing like word of mouth to get things going. Even if this does not help you right away, it helps for people to know you are available. Where allowed, you can create flyers to put on local message boards in supermarkets, and other businesses. We do not recommend posting your address on these flyers. Your phone number is all that is necessary.

Many providers are successful with newspaper ads. There is often a parent section in the small, local newspapers. Of course, it is a great idea is to list your service on the internet. There are so many people that use the internet as a resource for everything.
Be sure to list with your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency, if there is one available. They may already have parents who are looking for child care in your area. You can find your local CCR&R at www.ChildCareAware.org. If you are willing to accept subsidized care, you can contact your local Department of Social Services for referrals.

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