With the demand for both mums and dads to work in today’s economy, there is a drastic need for childcare centers. While there are plenty of big and fancy providers out there, many parents are in search of daycare centers that have a more homely feel. They want smaller environments so that their child will be known and cared for and not just a number in the bigger scheme of things.
As an at-home childcare provider, you can usually charge parents a lot less, all while giving them the assurance that their little angel is enjoying each day in a comfortable home away from home. If this sounds like the type of in-home childcare business you’d like to start, here’s what you will need to consider:
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Training and Certification
Before you hit the internet to stock up on toys, educational tools, and online medical supplies for your first aid kit, it’s essential that you ensure you have all the qualifications needed to launch this business. You’ve likely already got your early education degree. However, you need to ensure you’re up-to-date with your training in CPR, child nutrition, and developmental stages.
You need to be equally diligent in assessing the qualifications of any staff or helpers you wish to bring into the center. Since you will be operating out of your home, it’s more important than ever to reassure parents that you are well trained to care for their children.
- Identify The Need For Daycare
You need to decide if the area in which you live requires a new care facility. If the area is already overpopulated with daycare centers, you may need to look at relocating. If there is a need for an in-home service provider, speak to parents in and around your area to assess what they expect from such a daycare center.
Use the internet to help you understand what daycare centers are like, what type of business license you’ll need, and which category of people you would like to target.
- Learn The Requirements
The requirements for opening up your own daycare center will vary from state to state. For instance, some states require you to attend an orientation to give you a better understanding of this type of business and what it entails.
Remember, you need to have a squeaky-clean record when you work with children, so ensure that you have that all in order. Character references, police clearance certification, and medical history are all important.
- Financial Aid
Starting a daycare center (even from your own home) can be a rather costly affair. You can, however, look at ways to get funding for your business. Depending on where you live, you will have access to grants and loans from the government.
If you get a grant, you won’t need to pay a cent of it back, and if you secure a loan from the government, the repayment terms will be far more lenient than those offered by traditional lenders. Either way, this funding will go a long way towards helping with the more expensive costs, like insurance.
- Home Inspection
Make sure your home meets all the requirements before the inspection your insurance provider will schedule. An inspector will check that your home is both safe and healthy for children. So, you’ll need to be diligent in getting every inch of your space ready.
As you can see, it’s important to do thorough research before starting a home-based daycare center. However, if you do your due diligence and market your new business well, you’re sure to thrive.