How to Start Up a Daycare

Starting a daycare can be fun, but a lot of work. If you have any questions about starting a daycare, hopefully this will help answer them.

Instructions (Steps):

The very first step in starting off a daycare business is doing a lot of research about what the business is, and taking courses to become certified in certain areas. Being a certified daycare worker is very important and in some states it’s a must.

Once you’ve decided that you’re going to open up a daycare, you’ll need to write down what hours, and rates you’ll be charging people. Plus you’ll need to decide what ages you are going to keep.

After you’ve decided what ages,rates, and hours to do look at your food situation. You might want to think about hiring a cook that is certified in this area, and knows what kind of food you should give.

Decide when you’ll be having nap time. This can vary depending on the ages of kids. Most of the time older kids don’t need naps, but younger kids do. You’ll need mats, towels/blankets, pillows, and make sure the mats are spaced out according to the laws of your state. Also playing music during nap helps.

After you’ve decided all of these things – check the safety of your house, and make sure you don’t have any sharp edges on tables, proper bedding, proper safety gates up, proper windows, and even proper flooring. Make sure the floor isn’t about to cave in, and that it’s safe for kids to run on.

The next step is toys! Make sure and have toys for all of the ages, and that they are at least in mint condition. Double check that they aren’t broken. When buying for toys, and running a daycare always review the most recent recalls of toys, and food. Make sure you clean the toys up really good everyday, and that also goes with their mats. Buy a mix of toys, some educational, some loud, and other soft. Don’t forget education, and fun books – plus blocks! Don’t forget about outside time.

Yes, you can have TV time for the kids. Limit how much they can watch TV though. Most daycare’s only allow for the kids to have it for 30 minutes, and normally at the end of the day. Make sure what they are watching is educational, and fit for children. Noggin is a wonderful TV channel.

Get some picture frames, and put your certificates on the wall. This way they know for a fact you are certified, and feel more at ease. Put some pictures of you playing with children on the wall next to the certificates. If you have any awards put those up. The other thing is when you pass anything with the day care put those up.

When you’re finished with all of the personal things, you’ll need to think about who you want to hire. Check their background, references, and make sure they have training, and knowledge with children.

Tips & Warnings:

• Always be polite, and kind, not only towards the kids but the parents. Your attitude can bring in a new kid, or take away a new kid. Have fire drills, and tornado drills on a regular basics. Be CPR, and First Aid Trained. Make sure all of your staff is.
• Never abuse a child by saying mean things, or striking them. This is against the law, and might result in legal action.