With the economy as it is, well established day-care facilities are often too expensive for parents who are lucky enough to have avoided the downsizing and now are trying to make ends meet. If you love kids and miss having them around, why not start a daycare of your own, run right out of your home? This is the perfect opportunity for those who have had kids and have the experience that no amount of corporate training could ever supply.
1. Understand the Law
Child care responsibilities may be strictly regulated in your state. Do some research on the legal requirements and ways to protect yourself in your state before you begin. Although some states may require you to be licensed, sometimes you can get away with just registering. You can get more information by contacting your State Daycare Licensing Agency. Regulations also differ for home daycare and other daycare centers.
Your state may also require a high school diploma or equivalent as well as additional first-aid training. Since running a daycare at home is a small business, some form of business training is also recommended. Try taking classes at your local JC.
2. Learn Your Competition
After you have decided to start a daycare, call around your neighborhood and figure out if there is demand for another facility. If there already are many options for parents, your business may not do well or it may be much harder to get off the ground. Think about how much time you are willing to invest in your business before it starts turning a profit.
3. Get Money for Your Business
A good next step to take is to find out if there are any government grants or loans that will help you fund your paid-work-at-home.net/athomebusinessideas.html home business idea. Ask for this information when you register with your local agency. Although there may not be much grant money available for those who want to start a daycare, this venture often takes only around $1,000 to get off the ground. Even with such a small initial investment, many home daycares can make upwards of $4,000 a month. Make sure that you have a healthy business.educationeasy.net business plan which includes all the financial aspects of your business. Plan ahead in order to avoid wasting time and money in the future.
4. Decide on Your Schedule and Rates
Daycare hours should be flexible because work hours can vary. Decide if you are willing to work nights and weekends and set a flat hourly rate. Call around to find out what others in your area are charging. Also, make sure to decide on all the aspects related to your fee; if you will accept advance payments, if you will only take checks, and what exactly your rate includes. Make sure you are clear on this aspect before you begin taking clients.
5. Marketing & Advertising
After you've learned about regulations and have child-proofed your home up to code, you're ready to start advertising your business. The best advertising for a local business is word of mouth, so make sure that your first few customers are VERY satisfied. After that you can try advertising in a local newspaper and handing out fliers. Continue to advertise year-round in order to keep a steady stream of customers at your door. Remember that children grow up and your business will need new customers to keep going.
Remember to make plans with other providers in case you cannot fulfill your daily duties. Planning is the key to success in this industry. The more organized you are, the more reassured and trusting your clients will be.
Linet Amirkhanyan is a content writer for paid-work-at-home.net Paid-Work-at-Home.net.
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