Starting a home daycare is a great business for stay-at-home moms or someone who wants to work from home and loves to take 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 for preschool.
Step 1: Is a Family Day Care the Right Business for You?
Childcare is very rewarding and at the same time very demanding. Also, taking care of children at home could mean working 10-12 hour days. Also, if you prefer to work from home and love raising and caring for young children… starting a home-based daycare is the right business for you.
Step 2: Licensed or Unlicensed Care
In most states, you don’t 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 overseen by your local child care licensing division.
Step 3: What age group will you accept?
The age groups in your nursery 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 1 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 equipment, science supplies, and a preschool curriculum.
Step 4: Set Your Rates/Child Care Fees
Your fees for your services will determine the amount of income you will earn in your business. A good place to start to determine 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 the child’s place and assures you that the family will take their child to your daycare.
Step 5: The name of your home daycare
Your business name will compel families to visit your daycare. For example, if you choose to name your nursery, AlphabetChildren, this gives parents the impression that your daycare is all about learning. Your name should also reflect your goals and wishes for your daycare.
Step 6: Marketing Your Nursery
Marketing for business owners has become less expensive because of all the free places to advertise online. Some of the places you can market your daycare for free include: Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, your local child 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: Holding an Open House for Your Nursery
Once you have all the materials and equipment you will need for the daycare home, 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 day care home, 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!