Starting A Home Daycare?
Hey all!
I am going to be starting a home daycare in September. I am 39 weeks pregnant, and I have a 5 yr old. My fiance and I have figured out that we can’t afford me to be a SAHM full time. I don’t want to leave the baby (who is due July 8th) until she is at least a year old. My son (he’s 5) goes to kindergarden every other day.
What I want to do is open a home daycare. We live in a town of about 2 thou. ppl, and there is only one daycare. I know there is a need for safe, reliable daycare there.
My question is- how should I start my daycare? What equipment, advertising, inspections, etc should I do?
I only want to charge cash, around $20 daily per child. Hours from 7:30 am to 5pm. The local gov’t daycare charges $32 per day per child, 8am till 4 pm, then $5 per hour after 4pm.
Any tips on how to successfully start a little daycare at home for some extra cash would be appreciated!!
Tagged with: Daycare • Home • Starting
Filed under: home inspection
For starters you have to get a license to have a at home day care I’m from Los Angeles and a permit is accessible at DMV for five children or more.
Wow twenty dollars a week in what state? in Los Angeles its about eighty dollars a day.
But any way, you need to have a secure home free of injury and well planned curriculum to entertain the children.
Also have well balanced meals prepared. You may want parents to pack the children lunch that will be easier. You could provide snacks like raisins they are small and children could swallow easy you don’t want them to choke on food.
I don’t think you have time to take child development classes that would help prepare professionally .
This will not be easy maybe you might only want to have a minimum of four kids to begin .
Have the parents bring extra clothes they will accidents.
They need constant supervision, reading books, singing songs can entertain them.
Lots of toys, big blocks, safety toys that cant harm them .
Have them nap after lunch so you could rest also.
Good luck
Look into the rules and regulations for your state. Sometimes the things you have to do to be up to code cost more than what it is worth. In most states there are rules as to how many children (and what ages) you can have depending on if you are licensed or not. When I had my daycare, I was able to get most of what I needed (toys, books, crib, changing table, etc.) at garage sales pretty cheap. I found it helpful to have extra kids clothes of all sizes on hand (again - get from garage sales) for when kids have accidents. I always had parents bring an extra set of clothes to keep at my house just in case, but there are times that you need even more of a back-up.
Again, check into the regulations for your area before you make any final decisions. Make sure you take on responsible clients. We had several who did not pay their bills and we had to go to court.
First you need to check state and local regulations on running a home daycare. Some areas have little in the way of rules, but most states have laws on how many children you can have at any time, the ages you can have (and this will include your children as part of that number), how much space you need to have, what you are expected to provide as far as care and food and what certifications (a CPR/first aide class at the least) and insurance coverages you must have. Insurance is an absolute must…no one should care for another person’s child on a regular basis without making sure they have sufficent insurance coverage. Also, if you are renting your home, you will need to check with your landlord and , if applicable, your HOA to see what rules they may have about running a daycare on the property.
Once you do this, you will have a better idea of what you will need as far as equipment…cribs/mats for napping, adaptations for reaching sinks, play equipment for the yard, toys for the kids to play with, snacks, cleaning supplies and the like. Many states run classes for people interested in running a daycare from home…if you can, take them. They will really help.
Finally, taking only cash may be tough. Most parents claim the cost of child care on their taxes and need receipts or cancelled checks as proof of costs. Cash only is fine as long as you provide receipts and know that by the parents claiming the cost of daycare, the IRS will be aware that you are making money in this way. If your plan is to do daycare “under the table” than advertising is out, your rates will have to go down and parents will have to agree not to claim the cost of your services on their taxes.
I would say research some books first.
I’m not experienced in this kind of field, but my step-mom works for the NY DOH.
And all daycares MUST be regestered by law before they can take care of kids.
I would just say do a lot of research, and be prepared!
Good luck! And congrats on your new child!
First find out what the regulations are in your state. There is probably a limit to how many children you may care for if you are unlicensed. In NY it is 2. This is usually administered by something like the State Dept. of Social Services or State Ed. Don’t try and run a cash only business. The IRS will catch up with you and you will not be able to deduct the many expenses of running your business.
For really good info on how to set up and run a Family Day Care go to redleafpress.com. They have some really good books.
1st off you have have a certificate from your state….
and have the house babyproofed and Inspected. (by someone from the state.)
2nd they require u to do CPR and first aid classes….
3rd you have to fill out alot of paperwork and then they tell u the ratio of kids u can watch. its usually 4 kids per adult. or 2-3 babies per adult.(but if depends on your # of kids and what they feel ur capable of.)
4th the advertising is all up to YOU once u have ur certificate and classes done and inspection completed.
PS. if u start one illegally u could be fined alot of money if not handcuffed for child endangerment laws.
PSS.. Ec Expert made a good point cant do cash only the IRS will be on ur tail BIG TIME!
and remember you have to supply food and snacks and have time for each child No Time for yourself. Also have to kinda educate them as you would as a preschool teacher. I’d find this all a bit much with you just having a baby and all maybe u should find an alternative.
Easier way to make money:
its kinda what us women here do… Go thift stores and yard sales buy nice items clean them up and resale on E-bay or craigslist.com ud be surprised. you could even make stuff and sell it.
If you want to be licensed you MUST contact your state department. They will require you to take a class that that goes over all the requirements.
There are many, some I never thought of until after a friend took the class. Some are obvoious, like you must buy insurance and be CPR certified. In California, home day care provicers are not allowed to have exersaucers in your home, even for your own child. Also, if someone else visits you (your mother, sister, friend) they must be finger-printed or you can be fined.
Anyway, your state department will give you all the details. It is very expensive but can be worth it if you’re committed.