Starting
and Running a In Home Daycare Tips and Information
Work
at Home Mom Resources > Starting
an In Home daycare
Some good ideas and information
for moms wanting to start an in home daycare in general.
Licence for 3 or
More Children
If you plan on watching
more than 2 children you may have to get a licence in some states.
National
Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
Individual
States' Child Care Licensure Regulations
In addition
to the number of children that you can watch the age range of the
children that you can care for will be affected by the years of
experience that you have.
National
Child Care Information Center
Individual
State' Child Care Profile
Liability Insurance
It is a good idea to get liability insurance. If you plan on transporting
children in your business then you will want to look into auto insurance
coverage as well.
Visit Insurance.com
or ChildCareInsuranceServices.com
Get
Everything in Writing
It is best to get
everything on paper, that way neither you nor your client is surprised.
Be clear and precise in the contracts that everyone signs.
Key things to mention in a contract:
Meals - the
amount of meals you intend to include, this way parents can decide
if they want to pay extra or give their child a packed lunch. Have
parents disclose all allergies and it helps if you let them know
at the beginning of the week what your intended snacks are going
to be.
Times and Days
- discuss times deemed appropriate for you to have a child in your
care and if you want notice or not. If you absolutely don't want
to open on weekends make sure you tell people.
Sick Kids
- it is up to you whether you want to watch sick children, if not
you will want to put that down. The care of sick children is discouraged
unless you have a way of caring for them separately from the other
children
Rates - explain
if you charge more on the weekends or more for younger children
and if you charge by the hour or by the day, week or month.
Diaper Clause
- state if you except children in diapers and how you plan to keep
peoples dirty cloth diapers separated and what not.
Milk Clause -
state how you will preserve and serve the breast milk that moms
drop off for their babies. Have them fill out special instructions.
Notice - if you have any
doubt that this may not be for you, then you should include the
amount of notice you will be giving before you discontinue your
service. If you think you might have to cancel a day due to an emergency
you will want to have that in your contract too.
Rates
The best way to determine
what to pay, is to see what it is going to be costing you. Include
the cost of insurance, food, craft supplies, gas if transportation
is involved and any other expense you have due to this business.
Then consider how many children you will have. Look at the rates
of other daycares in the area as well. Some in home providers are
able to get grants for their daycare costs.
Trials
Trials are always a good
idea and often recommended. There is no telling how you are going
to feel about in home daycare until you yourself have done it. If
you need to give people a two week notice so they can find a provider
then there is no shame in that.
|
