Your
Unique Skills:
You should be blessed with the love and desire to care for and guide
your charges. You will be spending plenty of time together so you
should have a well drawn out plan for providing inspiration, direction
and consequences for both appropriate and inappropriate choices.
Patience will be the key to a kind and gentle environment. You
want then to grow and flourish while in your care. Your
resourcefulness and love of children will be the backbone of the reasons
you began this business in the first place. If you have selfish
motivations you may not make it through the first day. Be sure to
be prepared for anything to happen. Take the latest first aid and
CPR course
and make sure the certificate is kept current. Although it is not
required for success a background/degree in education, or early-childhood development
will allow you to draw from strengths and knowledge to gain confidence
and credibility as you begin the business. Be prepared to listen
and to make changes - flexibility is key.
Tools
of the Trade:
If
you are planning on using your home and you have a safe, secure environment for
both play, learning, rest and meals then you are in luck. Much of what you
need to succeed is already paid for. Of course you will need to follow
local laws and regulations and make sure that you are up to date on all of the
sanitation and security regulations and provisions that you need and want to
provide. Now for the fun part. Secure a variety of educational toys, books and games suitable to the age group in which
you specialize. You can scour the consignment stores or even
mention to your friends and family that your business and the children you care
for are going to require a constant circulation of supplies so you are willing
to pay for slightly used wonderful products. You can even tell a few
people that you will sort through their old toys and donate what your not using.
Other playroom accessories include a designated compartment/location for the
kids to keep daily projects, place their personal items, and the specialized
work tables and chairs built for little people comfort. You may want to
invest in some large outdoor equipment for the kids to get their sillies out in
the day. This can be an assortment of play set layouts with climbing and
jumping sections, large balls etc. Children need to exert themselves
and explore so
you will need to be able to make changes frequently to keep them stimulated and
happy.
Finally
be prepared to nourish the little tikes. A kitchen built to prepare
and serve nutritious food and the cookware/containers for preparation
and storing are required.
Business
Start-Up Basics
If you are already a Mom then the start-up cost of this business may be
quite modest. The best way to start no matter what your situation
is to make a list and break it into must haves and then a wish list that
can be added to as time goes by. The key to securing the resources
you need is to look for slightly used or free or resale sources.
You can find wonderful brand name toys at garage
sales or consignment stores. Be aware of the best toys (and ones used in
local day cares) and look for quality products when you search.
You need to be able to clean them easily and hope that they will be both
educational and can last. For your safety and that of the children
you will need to hold liability
and medical insurance and pay for local registration
requirements.
Getting
Your Foot in the Door
You should be able to get your first client through low cost basic advertising and word of mouth
from friends and family. Just putting a flier at a church, library
or doctor's office should get the business going. Once you have
established credibility and acquired testimonials from the families you
serve you can normally get as much business as you can handle through
referrals.
Show
Me the Money
Like
many other small businesses your location will determine how much the
local market is willing to spend. Your yearly income can range
anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 a year. How many children can you
care for both legally and emotionally/physically and provide quality
care? Verify that you are meeting state regulations regarding the number of children permissible
in a private home daycare.
Creative
Marketing Techniques
Provide
an on-site event childcare service for all occasions. Functions can
include meetings, conferences, reunions, conventions, parties, or weddings.
On-site caregivers take care of the children’s needs so that the hosts can
take care of their guests. Provide
CPR and First Aid certified by the Red Cross staff. Supervise infants and
children. You can provide special entertainment, crafts, games, snacks and
videos. For large events you may want to organize attractions including climbing
walls, jumping stations etc. Work closely with the host and plan the activities
and schedule to work with their party.
For more information:
"How to Start and Run a Home Day-Care Business,"
by Carolyn Argyle. Citadel Press, 1997. $10.95.
"How to Open and Operate a Home-Based Day-Care
Business," by Shari Steelsmith. Globe Pequot Press,
1994. $15.95.
The Daycare Provider's Home Page
http://www.icomm.ca/daycare/
A great collection of links to everything from activity guides
to legal and insurance information sites.
Organizations:
National Association of Child Care Professionals
http://www.naccp.org
304-A Roanoke Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540) 382-5819
Hotline: (800) 537-1118
Fax: (540) 382-6529
Email: admin@naccp.org
National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th St, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036-1426
(800) 424-2460
National Association for Family Day Care
725 15th Street, NW
Suite 505
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 359-3817
