| So, you want to own and operate your own | | | | this to be very helpful, especially in my first year |
| daycare? With patience and much planning you | | | | of opening my daycare. I looked forward to the |
| can do it. The first thing you need to say to | | | | weekly meetings with other providers. We would |
| yourself is, "this is a professional business." Next | | | | share ideas, stories, and advise. |
| ,determine if it will be a short term or long term | | | | Every successful business must have a business |
| business. Anything under 1 year is considered | | | | plan. Compose a booklet of your rules and polcies. |
| short term. To protect yourself, the daycare | | | | Give each parent a copy along with your |
| should be liscensed through the state in which you | | | | registration form. Document each incident that |
| reside. Contact your state daycare licensing | | | | happened in your daycare as well as incidents that |
| division and request information for obtaining your | | | | happened outside of daycare. Be sure to get the |
| license. | | | | parents signature. Have them to give you a full |
| Once you have received your license you are | | | | explanation of injuries. Keep in child's file. |
| ready for the next step. A very important | | | | Before purchasing toys, be sure to check if they |
| decision you might want to consider is to | | | | appear on re-call lists. It is crucial to keep receipts |
| incorporate your business. By doing so, you will | | | | of daycare expenses, payments, and tax |
| protect your personal assets if you are faced | | | | information. Contact the IRS for reporting and |
| with a lawsuit. You should consult an attorney for | | | | paying federal taxes. Keep a record of each child's |
| legal advise. This is not to frighten, it's just a | | | | attendance. I used a binder that each parent |
| pre-caution. | | | | would sign as they dropped off or picked up their |
| I highly recommend liability insurance. Many | | | | child. |
| insurance companies now carry special liability | | | | Develop a lesson plan for pre-school age children. |
| insurance for daycare providers. This type of | | | | Daycare area should be clean, fresh, and well |
| insurance is not included in your homeowner's | | | | lighted. Parents should feel a comfortable |
| policy. Contact local daycare providers if you are | | | | atmosphere when they arrive. Once you have |
| unable to find a company. | | | | established your daycare, you will get business by |
| There are some things that you will learn by trial | | | | recommendation from parents. You are on your |
| and error. Some can be avoided and will save you | | | | way to a successful business owner. To keep up |
| some grief. Join a local daycare provider support | | | | with the demands of your little clients, you need a |
| group. This is highly recommended also. I found | | | | daily dose of T-blast. |