New daycare home

[Jujube835]

We are planning to move in the next 10 months. I will be expanding my daycare in the new home. I live in a state where you have to actually live in the home that you provide childcare in.

With all this in mind, what are some things that you personally absolute need in a daycare home? I would really like a completely separate space for daycare so a walk out basement? Does anyone have a home where the daycare parents never go into your personal space?

What are some other things that would be in the "must have" category for your home/daycare?

[knoxmomof2]

Our setup is nice because the driveway, daycare room and nap room are on one end of the house, the kitchen/ dining and main bathroom are in the middle and the kids' spaces are on the end. DH and I have the bedroom and bath in the basement and our family room is there as well. So, it's all kind of separated / connected where I need it to be.

The upstairs is all wood, whereas the downstairs is carpeted (so, easier to keep the upstairs clean after spills and during potty training) and the downstairs entrances were not really accessible from the driveway so it really made more sense for me to stay upstairs. Also, I homeschool my 12 and 13 year old, so between overseeing chores and their progress as well as just being "around", being downstairs would have really cut me off from all of that.

Hope this helps / makes sense?

[Unregistered]

Parents never go into my personal space. We built an addition onto the back of the home many years ago. Parents come to the back door.

I'm one that welcomes parents into the child care space. Many providers here do not want parents going into the play/activity area. I don't have an entry that could block parents anyway. So that's a consideration.

I think a walk out basement would be awesome. I have carpet with a nice floor rug over it for some color and variety in the larger room. It's muted tones. I have laminate in the meal and art area.

My kitchen directly leads into my DC lunch room. I know providers in my area who go up and stairs for lunch. Ugh! That would drive me crazy! But it works for them.

I have a bathroom in the play area.

So close to kitchen, completely separate, easy access to yard, enough space, close bathroom...these are all important to me!