| Child care center regulations vary from state to | | | | your calculations too. Home daycares centers |
| state and country to country. However, no | | | | usually face more restrictions than those |
| matter where you want to start your child care | | | | operating out of commercial premises and in most |
| business it is likely that there will be regulations in | | | | states are limited in the total number of children |
| place that you must comply with if you want to | | | | that they are allowed to take. |
| get licensed to operate legally. After all, you are | | | | Staff Qualifications |
| going into the business of caring for children and | | | | Most states now require daycare staff to |
| every society sees their care, well being and | | | | complete some form of training in child care or |
| safety as being of extreme importance. | | | | early childhood development. This is usually just a |
| It is likely that your county will require you to go | | | | basic certificate that can be done at a local |
| through an application process and pass an | | | | community college at night or in the weekends |
| inspection before you are able to receive a child | | | | over a short period of time. It may also be |
| care business license. Even if you live in a state | | | | required that staff do a small number of hours of |
| that does not require a license to run a daycare | | | | ongoing training each year to keep up with |
| business it is still worth getting one anyway. A | | | | developments in the field. |
| license can make things much easier when it | | | | It is also usually required that child care givers are |
| comes to dealing with parents and other | | | | at least 18, provide references and prove that |
| organizations such as insurance companies. | | | | they don't have a criminal record. This can be |
| Let's take a look at some of the general | | | | done by authorising a reference check with the |
| regulations that you may have to comply with in | | | | local police department. |
| your state if you are to become a licensed child | | | | While it is unlikely that you will need a nurse on |
| care center operator. | | | | site it is likely that staff members will be required |
| Building and Environment Regulations | | | | to have done some kind of First Aid course. |
| You are required to give the children in your care | | | | There are some states with tougher |
| a minimum level of space. | | | | requirements so you should check this out first as |
| The building where you operate your business has | | | | it may be more difficult to find qualified staff |
| to be zoned for uses that include daycare and | | | | under such circumstances. |
| has to have sufficient lighting, ventilation, | | | | Child Meal Regulations |
| air-conditioning or heating. | | | | As a daycare business operator you will be |
| Your center also has to be properly equipped in a | | | | serving food to children throughout the duration |
| way that suits the age groups that you care for. | | | | of the day and some states have specific |
| If you care for infants then you must provide | | | | regulations relating to meal service and feeding |
| suitable cribs for them to sleep in during the day | | | | infants. These regulations require you to serve |
| and high chairs for their meals. If you cater to | | | | well balanced, nutritious meals at regular intervals |
| older children then you need an outdoor play area | | | | throughout the day. |
| with play structures. | | | | If food is being prepared on your business |
| The building must also have a sufficient number of | | | | premises then you may also need a permit from |
| exits in case of fire and the property must be | | | | local health authorities. |
| fenced in a way that keeps children within safe | | | | Daily Schedules |
| areas. | | | | To get your license approved you will probably |
| Health and Safety Regulations | | | | also need to provide details of your daily program |
| To get a daycare business license you must show | | | | and the purpose of each activity. Define some of |
| that you intend to create a hygienic environment | | | | the overall goals that your facility has and how |
| with hygienic operating practices. Your child care | | | | each part of the schedule contributes towards |
| center should be cleaned regularly and other | | | | meeting those goals. |
| policies regarding how often children wash their | | | | Child Care Center Management |
| hands throughout the day for example should be | | | | Before approving a child care business license, |
| listed. | | | | authorities may also need to know numerous |
| You also must have the medical records of each | | | | other details about your business. Additional |
| child in your center on file and have a plan in place | | | | information that you need to complete the license |
| in case they become sick or are injured. | | | | application process could include insurance policy |
| Licensing standards state that a safe environment | | | | details, your opening hours, operating procedures, |
| must be created to avoid injuries and accidents. | | | | policies and fees. You must also state who is in |
| Dangerous things within the home or facility in | | | | charge of the center, who will be responsible in an |
| question such as power sockets, knives and | | | | emergency and the responsibilities of each staff |
| poisons should be locked away or covered | | | | member. |
| appropriately. Emergency and evacuation plans | | | | Make sure that you fully understand all of the |
| must be in place. | | | | licensing requirements and regulations while you |
| Group Size and Staff to Child Ratios | | | | are still in the planning phase of your business. List |
| You will also face regulations relating to the | | | | them out carefully in your business plan and allow |
| number of care givers that you are required to | | | | for the relevant compliance costs when you work |
| allocate to a certain number of children. Every | | | | out your startup costs and do your financial |
| state has different regulations regarding the | | | | estimates. |
| number of children that a child care center can | | | | Compliance with local rules and regulations may be |
| take and the minimum staff to child ratios that | | | | necessary for you to start and maintain a legal |
| are permitted. If you also have your own children | | | | child daycare business. Don't put yourself or your |
| who will be in your care during your home | | | | business at risk by failing to familiarize yourself |
| daycare hours you may have to allow for them in | | | | with local child care center regulations. |