| When my wife and I first started thinking about | | | | it can be much more easy than you think. The |
| having our own home day care it seemed so | | | | first thing you need to do is invest in a business |
| simple. We will convert the garage, build a play | | | | start up kit made for day care upstarts. Most of |
| area outside and buy some furniture. Well, that is | | | | the time these kits will provide you with all the |
| one part of it and probably the part you have | | | | basic information for starting a day care. Such as, |
| already thought of too. What we do not initially | | | | *what is required to start the business |
| think of is the rules and regulations regarding | | | | *determining what to charge |
| running a day care center. | | | | *setting policies and procedures |
| If your just going to have a few kids then you | | | | *attracting clients |
| should be fine. If your thinking of 10 or more | | | | *establishing your daily schedule |
| children then you will have to know a few things. | | | | *planning activities for children |
| Staffing, Determining Your staff requirements, | | | | *billing and accounting |
| Child caregiver qualifications and training, Types of | | | | *managing your cash flow |
| positions you may require, Covering sick days and | | | | *record keeping |
| holidays, Typical rates of pay and benefits, | | | | *keeping your clients happy |
| Volunteers, How to find staff, Conducting | | | | *growing your business |
| Interviews, Signs of a quality caregiver, | | | | Do not learn the hard way, it can be a long road. |
| Background checks, Training and managing your | | | | Take advantage of all the resources that are |
| staff, Signs of trouble, Recognizing the signs of | | | | available and do your research. In the end this can |
| caregiver burnout, Keeping staff happy and | | | | be a rewarding career. One that you will enjoy for |
| turnover low. | | | | many years to come. |
| This seems like a lot but, if you get the right help | | | | |