fabjob guide to become a daycare owner · daycare owners are organized, creative and energetic....

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Get paid to care for children!

FabJob Guide to

Become a Daycare Owner

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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




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




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




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




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.



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.”


http://www.census.gov/library/publications/2013/demo/p70-135.html

http://www.census.gov/library/publications/2013/demo/p70-135.html

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ



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.


http://www.kidnkaboodle.net/daycarehelps.html

http://www.kidnkaboodle.net/daycarehelps.html



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




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.




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




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/.


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fabjob guide to become a daycare owner · daycare owners are organized, creative and energetic....

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