Childcare remains a recession-proof business for anyone who loves children. Before opening an childcare business from home, evaluate your home to ensure safety and clarify your childcare philosophy. Working at home as a childcare provider requires commitment and hard work, but the difference you make in the life of a child sweetens the effort.
Safety First
For daycare centers, the United States government regulates infectious disease prevention, daycare premises safety and appropriate childcare provider training. Each state imposes additional regulations in regards to child-teacher ratio, premises inspection and other childcare details.
Before opening for business, obtain First Aid and CPR certification. Update your certifications regularly.
Decide how many children your facility safely accommodates. Do you have space for the children to nap? Can you safely transport them in case of an emergency? Do you have resources to provide care for infants?
Decide how many children you can safely supervise during playtime, meal times, and bathroom breaks. To meet child-teacher ratios, hire a teen or adult helper. Ensure your helpers obtain the proper clearances and background checks.
Decide if you will pursue requirements to become a licensed facility. States more stringently inspect licensed facilities where you can watch more children and make more money from home.
Childcare Philosophy
Consider how you will meet the children’s social, emotional and physical needs. How much television will the children watch every day? Will you speak a second language or provide musical instruction? Will you participate in field trips? Will you offer homework help to after-school children? Ask yourself what you would want in a daycare center for your child then seek to provide that environment for your clients’ children. Parents will patronize a daycare center that prepares their child for school and life success.
What to Charge
In order to make money from home, you will need to determine a fair price for each age group. You make your money working at home by achieving a full daycare roster. Charge a flat weekly rate for full-time children whether they attend every day or not. Charge a higher rate for infant care. Offer a discount for siblings. Charge more per hour for part-time children.
Parental Contract
Write a contract listing your services, childcare philosophy, daily schedule, payment rates, holidays and other guidelines. Include parental expectations and obligations. Collect relevant details about each child such as emergency contact numbers, medical information and who may pick up the child. Contact a local attorney for assistance in preparing these forms.
Toys and Equipment
Ensure your daycare center contains a variety of educational games, manipulative toys and age-appropriate activities. Separate the toys to prevent infants and toddlers from choking on toys with small pieces.
Organize and sanitize any equipment you already own. You may purchase new items or buy used quality items. Inspect each item for safety straps or buckles and wear and tear. Check online for recalled items and insist on using only safety standardized equipment to prevent lead poisoning, strangulation, falls and other injuries. Typically, a daycare center needs the following equipment:
- Diaper changing table
- High chair
- Infant swing
- Crib and playpen
- Children’s chairs and tables
- Step stool
- Story time mats or chairs
- Toys, puzzles, books, crayons and blocks
- Multiple hooks, bins and shelves for shoes, jackets, daily hand washing cloths and toys
- Outdoor play equipment
- Cleaning products
Outdoor Play
Weather permitting, supervise outdoor play every day. Provide safe equipment for each child and organize group games and other team-building activities. Discover your state’s requirements regarding safety fencing, playground equipment and proper ground covering. Obtain a water safety certificate if the children will be swimming.
Meals and Snacks
Typically, the daycare provider purchases and prepares meals and snacks. Investigate programs in your area that offer reimbursement to daycare centers that serve balanced and nutritious snacks and meals.
Where to Advertise
After you have ensured safety, obtained any necessary paperwork and have prepared your facility, print business cards or flyers. Post them at local grocery stores, businesses or other community billboards. Advertise your profile online. Pay for a newspaper ad or ask friends for recommendations.
Other Childcare Jobs
If you want to care for children without opening a daycare center, work at home as a nanny. Care for children from one or two families rather than numerous children in order to make money working at home.
Open your home to children after school, on weekends and during holiday or summer camps. Offer classes in cooking, sewing, painting, pet care, woodworking, gardening, music and other practical skills.
If you love children, consider opening a daycare facility. Make money in your home while providing a safe, educational environment for children. Perform a job you love, meet a need in the community and make a difference in the life of a child.
