Where to start?

[rjskids]

I would like advice on where I start with this home daycare thing. Obviously I don't have a ton of money to spend but I am trying to figure out what things I need to get started. I would love some tips on what I should buy, get organized and whatever first steps I need to take before accepting children in my home. And how long do you think it would take? I know a lot of people do home daycare cause it just falls in their lap (already babysitting friends kids, etc.) But I am planning on quiting my job to do this and would like to give my boss a good timeframe of how long I will be at my job till. Please share how you all started.

[cheerfuldom]

If you have no experience in child care, then you really REALLY need to do your homework before quitting a job to venture into this. I know A LOT of moms that went into this type of thing and very few do it for more than a year tops. It is a very challenging job and not something to be taken lightly (not saying that you are). To be honest, this is quite a bit more challenging than any other job that I can think of. It is a combination of caring for others (very demanding), dealing with parents (the hardest part), disciplining yourself to be organized/consistent/professional and having the resources and support to keep things going. Here are a few initial thoughts assuming you no nothing about childcare whatsoever (which may not be the case)

1. Check into your state laws. Each state can vary about what is required in order to run either a licensed or unlicensed daycare. You need to figure out what is allowed

2. Check into local regulations. Homeowners subdivision, city or county laws may regulate your specific area.

3. consider your specific home. Do you own or rent? Is your home daycare friendly? The best set up would include a completely separate area for daycare use, including a bathroom and private entrance.

4. Check into what local home daycare rates would be. You will most likely need to start on the low end in order to attract families that would be okay with your new status or lack of experience. Is it even worth it to quit your job? In my case, I make less than $3 per kid per hour. The main reason I do this is because with 3 kids of my own, I cannot do anything else and still afford daycare for them (plus we prefer to be together anyway!)

5. Do you have anything as far as supplies and equipment to get started? If not, you will need to really think about what expenses you would have to get started. It could be anything from pack n plays and toys to home improvement projects to make your house safe (does your yard need to be fenced and that sort of thing). You will find that there is a lot more expenses that you never considered before!

That just the start of my ideas as I have to get off line but hopefully these things get your mind brainstorming!

[Abigail]

To the OP, I'm in the same position as you, but I've been doing my "homework" for months now. It's really been months too. I'm just waiting to buy a house this summer so I can start. First piece of advise, don't tell your boss you plan to quit soon or they'll have you out the door sooner than you wanted.

Secondly, let us know if you have done anything besides think about the idea of doing daycare at home--why are you choosing to do daycare? Do you have kids of your own you want to stay home with? Do you love children and have plenty to offer? Do you have friends or family who ask you to babysit often? Let us know more information and we can help more.

The main thing is to figure out expenses in general if you can make it. Check out rates in your area to find out the hourly break down, even though I recommend you charge by the week not the hour. Then, check out how many children you're allowed to have in your care. It's usually less than 5 or 6 if you're licensed and your own children count in those numbers unless they're over a certain age which you'll find out from your state and city rules on child care in the home.

[rjskids]

I've been a daycare provider for 13 years for a child care center in a hospital in my area. We were very full and my classroom (2 and 3 year olds) alone had 20-30 kids daily (along with 3 or 4 other teachers) but last year the hospital had to cut costs and they cut our department. 100 families and 18 employees devastated. Shortly after we got the news I found out I was pregnant and with my husband being self employed I needed a job fast that gave insurance. So I took a retail job. It paid well and had great insurance for full time assistant managers. Now my husband works for a company and we use his insurance now. Retail hours are just too difficult for our family and my two kids. My oldest daughter came to work with me everyday when she was younger and now I have to cart my son off to someone else everyday. So we decided that since I have the opportunity to stay home I should take it. I know what we need as far as home improvements and registering, etc. Just wondered what necessities I need to pick up here and there. I don't want to open my doors for kids then realize CRAP I have no bibs! And I can build from there but just needing ideas for the minimal things I definitely need to start this. Got plenty of baby stuff since I have a baby now and some toys of my daughters so far.

[momatheart]

I know is my state you have to attend a meeting that is free but takes about an hour or two. Kind of an introduction type meeting. I would start there. I assume you want to be liscenced.

I work in a center and I attended this meeting a few years ago when I was thinking of doing my own daycare out of my home.

I think too that really knowing what age group you want to deal with can help you make your choices of what you will need.

[cheerfuldom]

13 years of experience is a great start. It is still very different dealing with parents directly and in your own home but at least you know the dynamics of working with kids. As for supplies, my general rule is that anything that fits in the diaper bag, comes with the kid. I don't provide formula, bibs, clothing, diapers, that sort of thing. I provide two snacks, kids come with a sack lunch. As for other supplies, you really need to decide how many kids you will have and what ages you will take and then go from there on the supplies. They will each need a place to sleep and eat as well as activities to last a full day. I would recommend keeping your children's toys in their room and getting separate stuff for daycare use unless you are prepared for ALL their toys to get ruined and abused in some way. The exception would be if you kept a very small group (like 1 or 2 to start with) and are wanting to keep expenses as low as possible. Have you researched contracts yet? A lot of the supplies are addressed in most contracts as well as other essential stuff like illness policy.