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- 1). Research the home day care licensure requirements for your state. Visit the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education website mentioned in the resources below. You may also call them at 1-800-598-KIDS(5437).
Some states require no licensure, while others require licensure when you care for more than a certain number of children. In some states, licensure is mandatory regardless of the number of kids. Many states require the home day care centers to meet the state licensing requirements for health and safety, while in some cases you only need to register with a state agency for child-care services. You may have to undergo a background check and child-care training in some cases. - 2). Pick a name for your home day care.
- 3). Make your home day care child-safe. Install outlet covers, stairway gates, safety latches and child safety locks. Ensure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Install proper ventillation and easily accessible exits.
- 4). If child care and CPR training are mandatory in your state, take those classes and complete your certification. It's a good idea to take them even if they are not mandatory.
- 5). Get your homeowner's insurance in order. Contact your insurance agent and discuss the type and size of home day care business you plan to start and what type of coverage you will need.
- 6). Draw up your business plan and policies, listing what you plan to achieve; your financial goals, if any; operating hours; whether you will provide after-hours care and how much you plan to charge. A quick study of your competition will give you some ideas, in addition to your own.
- 7). Set up an office. It does not have to be fancy, just a corner where you can fit your computer, printer, phone, stationery and a filing cabinet. All you need is a system to file the children's details, contact information, accounts, expenses, a way to communicate with prospective and current customers and tax-filing documents.
- 8). Market your home day care. Tell friends, neighbors and family about your new venture. Write an e-mail describing your center's special features, rates and location and send it to prospective clients or as a reply to enquiries. Advertise in your community newspaper or website. You could print fliers at home and put them up at the library and other locations.
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