Starting a home daycare is a great business for stay-at-home moms or someone who wants to work from home and loves taking care of children. In addition, there is a great need for infant/toddler care and many parents prefer their young children to be in a home environment until they are old enough to go to preschool.
Step 1: Is a home daycare business the right one for you?
Taking care of children is very rewarding and at the same time very demanding. Also, caring for children at home could mean working 10 to 12 hours a day. Also, if you prefer to work from home and love raising and caring for young children… starting a home daycare is the right business for you.
Step 2: Licensed or Unlicensed Care
In most states, you do not need a license to care for 4 or fewer children and there are fewer regulations to follow when starting out as an unlicensed child care provider. If you will be caring for more than 4 children, you may need to apply for a child care license. Having a child care license simply means that your in-home child care practices will be supervised by your local child care licensing division.
Step 3: What age group will you accept?
The age groups in your daycare will inspire the type of equipment and supplies you will need in your home daycare. If you choose to babysit, you will need 1 crib and/or playpen for each infant/toddler and one crib for each preschooler. Some of the other supplies needed for babies include: a high chair, changing table, diaper genie, washable mats, and baby and toddler toys. For preschoolers, you will need: preschool-size tables/chairs, puzzles, blocks, pretend play toys, art supplies, books, outdoor activity equipment, science supplies, and a preschool curriculum.
Step 4: Set your child care fees/rates
Your fees for your services will determine the amount of income you will earn in your business. A good place to start when determining child care prices is by calling other child care providers in your area to compare prices. Keep in mind that when you provide high-quality care, parents are willing to pay for it. Charging a non-refundable registration fee secures your child’s spot and assures you that the family will bring your child to your childcare.
Step 5: The name of your home daycare
The name of your business will compel families to visit your daycare. For example, if you choose to name your nursery, AlphabetChildren, this gives parents the impression that their daycare is all about learning. Your name should also reflect your goals and wishes for your daycare.
Step 6: Marketing Your Daycare
Marketing for business owners has become less expensive due to all the free places to advertise online. Some of the places you can market your daycare for free include: Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, your local children’s resource and referral agency. Also, contact local schools to let them know you’re starting a daycare in your home. Creating a website is also another way to market your home daycare. In fact, websites are now very affordable and in some cases free.
Step 7: Host an Open House for Your Daycare
Once you have all the materials and equipment you will need for your home daycare, now is the time to hold an open house and invite families to your home. Telling your neighbors about your open house is a great place to start. When you tell your neighbors about your in-home daycare, the word will spread from neighbor to neighbor and this is another way to help increase your enrollment. Word of mouth referrals are the best referrals!