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Get paid to care for children!
FabJob Guide to
Become a Daycare Owner
Visit www.FabJob.com
Alisa Gordaneer
FabJob Guide to Become a Daycare Owner
Copyright © 2017 FabJob Inc. • www.fabjob.com • 2
ContentsHow to Use This Guide .........................................................................3
1. Introduction ..........................................................................................11
1.1 A Much-Needed Service ..............................................................12
1.2 BenefitsoftheCareer ...................................................................14
1.3 Inside This Guide .........................................................................16
2. The World of Childcare ......................................................................18
2.1 What a Daycare Owner Does......................................................18
2.1.1 Hands-On Care ...................................................................20
2.1.2 Running the Business .........................................................21
2.2 TypesofChildcare ........................................................................25
2.2.1 Home Daycare ....................................................................25
2.2.2 In-Home Daycare Center ...................................................27
2.2.3 ChildcareCenter .................................................................28
2.2.4 Out-of-SchoolCareCenter ................................................29
2.2.5 Drop-in Center ....................................................................30
2.3 TheSkillsYou’llNeed ..................................................................31
2.3.1 AGoodRapportwithChildren ........................................31
2.3.2 InterpersonalSkills .............................................................36
2.3.3 OrganizationalAbility .......................................................38
2.3.4 BusinessSkills .....................................................................41
2.4 PreparingforYourCareer ...........................................................42
2.4.1 InformationInterviews ......................................................43
2.4.2 Hands-On Experience ........................................................45
2.4.3 FormalEducationandTraining ........................................48
2.4.4 OtherTypesofCertification ..............................................51
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3. Planning Your Daycare .......................................................................54
3.1 Business Options ..........................................................................55
3.1.1 DevelopYourIdeas ............................................................56
3.1.2 CreatingaBusinessPlan ...................................................57
3.1.3 Start a Brand New Daycare ...............................................63
3.1.4 Buy an Existing Daycare ....................................................64
3.1.5 Daycare Franchise Opportunities ....................................65
3.2 Choosing a Location .....................................................................69
3.2.1 The Home Daycare .............................................................69
3.2.2 TheOut-of-HomeDaycare ................................................70
3.2.3 EvaluatingaLocation ........................................................71
3.3 LegalMatters .................................................................................75
3.3.1 Choosing a Business Name ...............................................75
3.3.2 Business Structure ..............................................................77
3.3.3 Insurance ..............................................................................83
3.3.4 Licensing Requirements ....................................................87
3.3.5 OptionalAccreditationforYourDaycare .......................89
3.4 FinancingYourDaycare ..............................................................89
3.4.1 Start-Up Costs .....................................................................90
3.4.2 Operating Costs ..................................................................94
3.4.3 SourcesofFunding .............................................................96
3.4.4 GrantsandSubsidiesforDaycares ................................102
3.5 SettingupYourSpace ................................................................103
3.5.1 Designing a Layout ..........................................................103
3.5.2 TheAreasYou’llNeed .....................................................104
3.5.3 EffectiveChildproofing ...................................................110
3.5.4 EquipmentandSupplies .................................................116
3.6 HiringStaff ..................................................................................127
3.6.1 PositionsYouMayHireFor ............................................129
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3.6.2 DeterminingYourStaffRequirements ..........................134
3.6.3 TheQualificationstoLookFor .......................................135
3.6.4 FindingStaff ......................................................................136
3.6.5 Interviewing ......................................................................138
4. Meeting Children’s Needs ...............................................................145
4.1 MealTime ....................................................................................146
4.1.1 MealPreparationOptions ...............................................146
4.1.2 Choosing What to Serve ..................................................149
4.1.3 OrganizingMealTime .....................................................152
4.1.4 FoodSafety ........................................................................155
4.2 NappingandPersonalHygiene ...............................................159
4.2.1 Nap Time ...........................................................................159
4.2.2 Hand Washing ..................................................................160
4.2.3 Diapering ...........................................................................162
4.2.4 ToiletUse ...........................................................................163
4.3 SocializationandPlay ................................................................164
4.3.1 GroupSizeandSocialization ..........................................164
4.3.2 EmotionalGrowth ............................................................165
4.3.3 YourRoleasCaregiver.....................................................166
4.4 GrowthandDevelopment ........................................................167
4.4.1 InInfants ............................................................................168
4.4.2 InToddlers .........................................................................170
4.4.3 InPreschoolers ..................................................................172
4.4.4 InSchool-AgeChildren ...................................................173
4.5 ASafeandCleanEnvironment ................................................174
4.5.1 PhysicalSafety ..................................................................174
4.5.2 EmotionalSafety ...............................................................176
4.5.3 StrangerSafety ..................................................................177
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4.5.4 Cleanliness .........................................................................178
4.6 GuidanceandDiscipline ...........................................................182
4.6.1 EffectiveBehaviorManagement.....................................182
4.6.2 CommonChallenges ........................................................185
5. Running Your Daycare .....................................................................190
5.1 PlanningDailyActivities ...........................................................190
5.1.1 HowtoPlanYourSchedule ............................................190
5.1.2 SpecialOccasions ..............................................................196
5.2 ManagingYourStaff ..................................................................198
5.2.1 Open Communication .....................................................199
5.2.2 WhatYouHavetoOfferasOwner ................................201
5.2.3 Caregiver Burnout ............................................................203
5.3 SettingYourFees ........................................................................205
5.3.1 FactorsthatAffectYourFees ...........................................206
5.3.2 HowtoCalculateFees .....................................................209
5.4 YourPolicyManual ....................................................................214
5.4.1 GeneralPolicies .................................................................215
5.4.2 Health-RelatedIssues ......................................................218
5.4.3 Fees and Payment .............................................................221
5.4.4 EnrollmentandTermination ...........................................222
5.4.5 Day-to-Day Procedures ...................................................224
5.4.6 SpecialCircumstances .....................................................226
5.5 Business Operations ...................................................................228
5.5.1 Record-Keeping ................................................................228
5.5.2 KeepingTrackofYourFinances .....................................231
5.6 Injuries and Emergencies ..........................................................236
5.6.1 HandlingInjuries ..............................................................237
5.6.2 HandlingEmergencies .....................................................240
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5.7 Communicating With Parents ..................................................243
5.7.1 TypicalTypesofParents ..................................................244
5.7.2 Communication Techniques ...........................................245
5.7.3 GettingPaid .......................................................................249
6. GettingClients ...................................................................................258
6.1 FindingYourNiche ....................................................................259
6.2 OfferingSpecialtyServices .......................................................262
6.2.1 Education Emphasis .........................................................262
6.2.2 Special-NeedsCare ...........................................................265
6.2.3 After-HoursCare ..............................................................268
6.2.4 CareforSickChildren ......................................................269
6.2.5 CulturalorReligiousInfluence ......................................270
6.2.6 Affordability ......................................................................271
6.2.7 Corporate or Onsite Daycare ..........................................273
6.3 MarketingTools ..........................................................................274
6.3.1 PrintedMaterials ..............................................................275
6.3.2 YourWebsite ......................................................................281
6.3.3 SocialMedia ......................................................................286
6.3.4 An Outdoor Sign ...............................................................290
6.4 Marketing Techniques ..............................................................290
6.4.1 Advertise ............................................................................291
6.4.2 FreePublicity ....................................................................295
6.4.3 PromotionalEvents ..........................................................298
6.5 InterviewsandEnrollment .......................................................301
6.5.1 TheInitialMeeting ...........................................................302
6.5.2 Managing a Waiting List..................................................309
6.5.3 TheFirstDayofCare .......................................................310
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7. Resources .............................................................................................314
7.1 ProfessionalResources ..............................................................314
7.2 Daycare Licensing Agency Contacts – USA ...........................323
7.3 Daycare Licensing Agency Contacts – Canada ......................332
1. IntroductionCongratulationsonyourdecisiontostartadaycarebusiness.You’reonyourwaytoastimulatingandrewardingcareer,providingaservicethatisnotonlymuch-needed,butmuch-appreciated,byworkingparentsandthechildrentheyareraising.
Asadaycareowner,youwillofferdailysupervisionandcareforagroupofchildreninasettingyouchoose.It’sahands-onprofession—youwillsoothebumpedkneesandhurtfeelingsonadailybasis,aswellasreceivetheunconditionalhugsandsmilesofgratitudethatonlycomefromtheyoung.
Daycareownersareorganized,creativeandenergetic.You’llplanschedules,activitiesandmeals,andyoumaysuperviseorhirestaffmembers.You’lldevelopasenseofthebigpicture,aswellasanabilitytomanagethetinydetailsofeveryday,suchasrememberingwhichchildprefersablueblanket,andwhichoneisafraidofdogs.
Aslongasparentshaveneededtospendtimeintheworkplace,theyhaveneededtofindplacesfortheirchildrentobesafelycaredforduringtheday.Sometimes,thiswasassimpleassendingthechildrentostaywiththeirgrandparents,anotherfamilymember,oraneighbor.
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Butintoday’sworldoffamilymemberslivingthousandsofmilesapart,busylifestyles,delayedretirementandsingleparenting,familyandneighborswhoareavailabletolookafterchildrenarenotthateasytofind.Professionalchildcareisneededineverycommunity,fromsmalltownstolargecities.Itisaneedthatwillnevergoaway,aslongasparentsareintheworkplace.
Perhapsyou’rethinkingaboutlookingafterjustafewchildrenatatimeinyourownhome.Orperhapsyou’llberesponsibleforalargergroupofchildreninanaway-fromhomesetting.Nomatterwhatyouhaveinmind,therewardsaregreat—andtheygofarbeyondfinancialcompensation.
1.1 A Much-Needed ServiceAccordingtoaUSCensusstudyreleasedinApril2013(www.census.gov/library/publications/2013/demo/p70-135.html),61%ofchildrenunder5yearsofagewereinsometypeofregularcarearrangementduringthecourseofatypicalweek.In2011,19.6%ofchildrenunder5receivedcarefromadaycarecenter(upfrom14.0%in1985);thatrepresentsover2.1millionchildrenunder5.
Astheneedforout-of-homecareforchildrenincreases,sodoesgovernmentandcorporatesupportforthiscare.In1990theAmericangovernmentcreatedaNationalChildCareandDevelopmentBlockGrantprogram,whichisadministeredbyeachstateandprovideschildcaresubsidiestofamilieswithlowincomes.SeetheOfficeofChildCare at www.acf.hhs.gov/occformoreinformationonthisprogram.
Canadiangovernmenthasdecidedthatitisgoodpublicpolicytohelpsubsidizethecostofraisingchildren,especiallyforchildreninlow-incomehouseholds.ProgramsincludetheCanadaChildTaxBenefit(CCTB),theNationalChildBenefitSupplement(NTBS),theUniversalChildCareBenefitandtheChildCareExpenseDeduction.
SusanPrentice,writingintheintroductiontoheranthologyChanging Child Care: Five Decades of Child Care Advocacy and Policy in Canada,says:“Thechildcaremovementatthenationallevelhaslongadvancedwhatsomecriticsseeasautopianvision:auniversallyaccessible,publiclyfunded,high-quality,non-profitsystemofcare,towhichallchildren,parentsandfamiliesareentitled.”
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Daycarehasbeguntobeseenasapublicresponsibility,onethatwillgrowinboththeUnitedStatesandCanada,creatingjobsandopportunitiesforindividualswhowanttoenterintothefield.
Daycare in Society
Daycaresbegan(atleastintheformwerecognizetoday,asaplacewhereyoungchildrenarelookedafterbyadultswhoaren’tnecessarilyrelated to them) in the late 1800s. Theywere often charitableorganizationsthatlookedafterchildrenwhosemotherswereforcedbycircumstance to work.
Attimesoverthepastcentury,daycarehasbeenregardedasatbesta“necessaryevil”bythosewhobelievethatchildrenarebestcaredforbytheirownparents.However,associetyhaschanged,sohavepeople’sviewsofdaycare.
Newstudieshaveshownthatchildrenwhoattenddaycarearemorepreparedforschoolroutinesandlearningoncetheyreachschoolage.AndaCanadianstudycitedbytheChildCareTrainingProjectfoundthatenrollmentinfamilydaycaresettingswasonefactorthatcontributedtohigherlanguageandcognitivedevelopment.
Thereisalsocurrentresearchtosupporttheideathatchildrenwhospendtimeindaycarearebetter-adjustedtosocialsettingsingeneral.Thismaybebecausetheyareexposedtootherchildrenfromanearlyage,andthereforelearntogetalongingroupssoonerthanchildrenraisedathomewithoutsiblings.
Ingeneral,daycaresaremeanttoprovideasupportive,nurturingsituationwherechildrencanreachtheirlearningpotential,andwhereparentscanbeassuredofqualitycarefortheirchildren.Theyarenotmeanttoreplacefamiliesorbeprimarycaregiversforchildren,butrather,tosupportfamiliesandparents.
Awell-writtenarticle(‘DaycareHelpsMyChildThrive’atwww.kidnkaboodle.net/daycarehelps.html)fromChildandFamilyCanadaexplainshowdaycareopensupabroaderworldtochildren,andhelpsthemformlastingfriendships,bondswithcaregiversandanindependentsenseofself.
FabJob Guide to Become a Daycare Owner
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1.2 BenefitsoftheCareerOneofthemostcommonreasonspeoplechoosetostarttheirowndaycareisthatitallowsthemtolookaftertheirownchildrenwhileearningasalary—formanynewparents,it’stheultimateparenting/workopportunity.Runningahomedaycarealsoprovidesyourchildrenwithinstantplaymates.
Butlikemanyother“fab”jobs,beingadaycareowneroffersadditionalbenefitsyoujustcan’tgetinanyothercareer.Here’salookattheobviousones...you’ll likelydiscoverevenmorebenefitsthatarepersonaltoyouandyoursituationaswell.
MakeaDifference
Yourdecisiontobecomeadaycareownerisonethatshowsyouhavenotonlyagreatappreciationforchildren,butasenseofsocialresponsibility.Itisthecaregiversandteacherswhoareatthefrontlinesofshapingthenextgeneration.Yourworkwillprovideyouwithnotonlyasenseofsatisfaction,butasenseofchangingthefuture,oneperson at a time.
You’llberewardedbythejoyofchildren’slaughter,andbywatchingthemgrowintoindependent,uniqueindividuals.You’llbeinspiredbyyourabilitytohelpthemmeetchallenges,learnnewthings,anddiscovernewfacetsoftheworldaroundthem.You’llbeateacher,amentorandacaregiver—someonechildrenlove,trust,andlearnfrom.
Assuch,you’llalsolearnaboutyourself,anddiscovernewstrengthsandabilitiesyouneverknewyoupossessed.
Inthisjob,you’llwatchchildrengrowandchange.You’llhelpthemovercometheirfears,anddiscovertheircreativityandintellect.You’llteachthemaboutlifeandcommunity,andgetthemstartedontheirlifelongpathoflearningandgrowth.Thisisthekindofstartthatisinvaluable,andyourabilitytoprovideitwillhaveparentsliningupatyour door.
You’llalsobeanappreciatedandtrustedpartoftheparents’lives.Asthepersonwhoprovidesthedailycarefortheirchildren,theywillturntoyouwithrespectandadmiration.Theywilllooktoyouforthe
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energy,funandstimulationthatyouwillprovidefortheirchildren,andtrustyouforyourabilitytoprovidethesamelevelofcomfortandcareastheywouldthemselves.They’llrelyonyoutobetherewhenthey need you the most.
Flexibility
Whenyouplanyourdaycare,youcansetthehoursthatworkforyou.Ifyourspousegetshomefromworkat6:00p.m.,youcanaskthatallchildrenarepickedupby5:30soyou’llhavetimetodrivehome,orstartdinnerifyourunyourdaycarefromhome.Ifyou’reanightowl,youmightconsideropeningadaycareforchildrenofnight-shiftworkers,orofferpart-timeweekendcare.
Youcanalsobeflexibleinyourdailyroutine.Whileacertainamountofplanningisessential,it’snotsetinstone.Ifnobodywantstogooutsideintherain,youdon’thavetodoit,evenifit’sontheday’slistofplannedactivities.
Youcanshapeyourbusinesstoreflectyourownphilosophyoflearningandchildcare,andtherebycreateanichethatwillkeepclientscoming,yearafteryear.Yes,therearecertainstandardsofsafetyandcarethatmustbemet,butasfarascurriculumgoes,it’suptoyou.
Be Your Own Boss
Asadaycareowner,youwillbe theonemaking the importantdecisions,andwillbeabletosetthedirectionofyourbusinessasyouseefit.Becausethisisatremendouslyflexibleindustry,youcanstartsmall,withjustafewchildreninyourcare,andgrowyourbusinessasyoudesire.Itisagrowthindustry,whichyoucantranslateintofinancialsuccessifyouareinterestedinmakingyourdaycareaslargeasitcanbe.Ifyou’vegotaprovenformula,youcanalsofranchiseyourdaycare center.
Youcanfocusyourbusinesstotheareasthatinterestandexciteyou.Ifyouvaluethearts,youmightwanttoopenadaycarethatprovidesplentyofopportunitiesforchildrentopaint,playdress-upandexploremusic.Ifyou’reapersonwhofeelsstronglyaboutyourfaith,youcanopenadaycareforthechildrenofparentswhovaluespiritualguidance.
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Ifyouareinterestedinsports,youcanshapeyourdaycare’sphilosophyaroundafocusonphysicalactivitiesandteam-building.
1.3 Inside This GuideThiscomprehensiveguidewillprepareyouforrunningyourowndaycare,witheasy-tofollowinformation,professionaltipsandlinkstonumeroususefulresources.Whenyouhavefinishedreadingit,youwillbereadytotakethenextsteptowardsstartingthisfabulousbusiness in your community.
Chapter2(TheWorldofChildcare)will introduceyoutowhat’sinvolvedwiththejob,fromhands-oncaretorunningthebusiness.Daycaresexistinmanyshapesandsizes,andyoucanlearnaboutyouroptionshere.We’llalsobedetailingtheskillsyou’llneedtobeasuccess,manyofwhichyoumayalreadyhave.Thechapterroundsoutwithalookatgettingsomeformalorinformalexperienceinthefield,soyouarereadytomakeaquickstartintothisfabulouscareer.
Chapter3(PlanningYourDaycare)launchesyourightintocriticalstart-upinformationonchoosingalocation,legalmatters,andhowtotakeyourconceptfromideatoreality.You’llalsolearnhowtotrackdownthelicensingrequirementsforyourdaycare,whattoexpectforstart-upcosts,andwheretolookforfundingifyouneedit.Nextyou’llgetthelow-downonpurchasingequipmentandsupplies,andhowyoucanlayoutafunandfunctionalcarespace.Finally,whetheryouareplanningonhiringtwoortwentystaff,theguidehasyoucoveredfrombackgroundcheckstointerviewquestions.
Readytoopenyourdoors?Chapter4(MeetingChildren’sNeeds)isallaboutyourfavoritetopic—lookingafterkids!Youmayknowhowtohandleoneortwolittleones,butthingschangecompletelywhenyou’redealingwithagroup,sobeprepared.Learntried-and-truetipsfromtheexpertsonorganizingyourday,fromnaptimetomealtimetoplaytime.Thischapteralsocoversdevelopmentalstagestoexpectfrominfanttoschool-age,aswellasdaycarehygieneandsafetypractices.
Chapter5(RunningYourDaycare)informsyouaboutthebusinessaspectsofdaycareownership.Howtoplanvariedactivitiesforchildren
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thatstimulateandchallengethem,howtoinspireyourstafftoreflectyourownenthusiasmandhighstandards,andhowtohandletheunexpectedareallcoveredhere.You’llalsolearnhowdaycareownerssettheirfees,andhowtokeeprecordsandbusinessmattersorganizedandreadyforinspection.You’llalsogetstep-by-stepinstructionsonwritingapolicymanual,andhowtouseittokeepthedoorsofcommunication open between you and parents.
Chapter6 (GettingClients) isyour ticket topopularity inyourcommunity.You’llfindouthowtopromoteyourdaycareonabudget,andwhatyou’llneedtodoit.Ifyou’relookingtostandoutfromthecrowd,youcanreadoverourlistofdaycarespecialtiesyoucanconsider.Thechapterconcludeswithaguidetoparentinterviewsandenrollment,andhowtohelpchildren(andparents!)managethatsensitivefirstdayapart.
Chapter7(Resources)roundsouttheguidewithalistofdaycare-relatedassociationsandwebsitestobookmarkandcomebacktoforinformationandideas.Finally,thereisacomprehensive,state-by-stateandprovince-by-provincelistingofdaycareregulationagencycontacts.Justlookupyourstateorprovinceandfindthephonenumberandwebsitesthatwillconnectyoutotheever-changingstandardsfordaycare in your region.
Solet’sgetstarted!Thereareparentseagerforyourservices,and,evenmoreimportantly,childrenwhocanhardlywaittohavefunwithyou.
You have reached the end of the free sample of the FabJob Guide to Become a Daycare Owner. To order and download the complete guide go to http://fabjob.com/program/become-daycare-owner/.