| With the economy as it is, well established | | | | agency. Although there may not be much grant |
| day-care facilities are often too expensive for | | | | money available for those who want to start a |
| parents who are lucky enough to have avoided | | | | daycare, this venture often takes only around |
| the downsizing and now are trying to make ends | | | | $1,000 to get off the ground. Even with such a |
| meet. If you love kids and miss having them | | | | small initial investment, many home daycares can |
| around, why not start a daycare of your own, | | | | make upwards of $4,000 a month. Make sure |
| run right out of your home? This is the perfect | | | | that you have a healthy business plan which |
| opportunity for those who have had kids and | | | | includes all the financial aspects of your business. |
| have the experience that no amount of corporate | | | | Plan ahead in order to avoid wasting time and |
| training could ever supply. | | | | money in the future. |
| 1. Understand the Law | | | | 4. Decide on Your Schedule and Rates |
| Child care responsibilities may be strictly regulated | | | | Daycare hours should be flexible because work |
| in your state. Do some research on the legal | | | | hours can vary. Decide if you are willing to work |
| requirements and ways to protect yourself in | | | | nights and weekends and set a flat hourly rate. |
| your state before you begin. Although some | | | | Call around to find out what others in your area |
| states may require you to be licensed, sometimes | | | | are charging. Also, make sure to decide on all the |
| you can get away with just registering. You can | | | | aspects related to your fee; if you will accept |
| get more information by contacting your State | | | | advance payments, if you will only take checks, |
| Daycare Licensing Agency. Regulations also differ | | | | and what exactly your rate includes. Make sure |
| for home daycare and other daycare centers. | | | | you are clear on this aspect before you begin |
| Your state may also require a high school diploma | | | | taking clients. |
| or equivalent as well as additional first-aid training. | | | | 5. Marketing & Advertising |
| Since running a daycare at home is a small | | | | After you've learned about regulations and have |
| business, some form of business training is also | | | | child-proofed your home up to code, you're ready |
| recommended. Try taking classes at your local JC. | | | | to start advertising your business. The best |
| 2. Learn Your Competition | | | | advertising for a local business is word of mouth, |
| After you have decided to start a daycare, call | | | | so make sure that your first few customers are |
| around your neighborhood and figure out if there | | | | VERY satisfied. After that you can try advertising |
| is demand for another facility. If there already are | | | | in a local newspaper and handing out fliers. |
| many options for parents, your business may not | | | | Continue to advertise year-round in order to keep |
| do well or it may be much harder to get off the | | | | a steady stream of customers at your door. |
| ground. Think about how much time you are | | | | Remember that children grow up and your |
| willing to invest in your business before it starts | | | | business will need new customers to keep going. |
| turning a profit. | | | | Remember to make plans with other providers in |
| 3. Get Money for Your Business | | | | case you cannot fulfill your daily duties. Planning is |
| A good next step to take is to find out if there | | | | the key to success in this industry. The more |
| are any government grants or loans that will help | | | | organized you are, the more reassured and |
| you fund your home business idea. Ask for this | | | | trusting your clients will be. |
| information when you register with your local | | | | |