Make no mistake. Your home childcare is a business and you need to treat it like a business. Before you ever enroll a child, put necessary business elements in place. That is how you will protect yourself and the children for whom you care.
Business Setup
Register your business with your county. Give it a name.
Secure and Employee Identification Number (EIN). This you can do online.
Purchase business.educationeasy.net business cards. Vista Print offers free cards. You just pay the shipping.
Set up a business bank account. Use online banking for your records or choose a financial software program like Quick Books.
Registration
State health departments have the forms and requirements. You want to do this because it gives you credibility with parents. They want to know that your childcare home is monitored by the state and that you uphold state standards.
Your city may also register and monitor you.
Both state and city agencies require similar standards.
Orientation
Attend the orientation session your registering agency offers. You will learn what is expected of you and what parents are seeking.
Be sure to take notes and participate during the session. You will enjoy meeting other childcare providers there.
Documentation
Registration certificate from the state. Frame it and post it in your home for parents to see.
Current TB test
Emergency First Aid Training. This you renew every two years.
CPR certification. Even if you already have this, take the course again. Methods have changed.
Keep these documents available for parents to see.
Record Keeping
Get a system set up now and keep it current.
Documents
Folders for each child
Coupons to use in making quarterly tax payments
Income and expense records (include your start-up costs).
Files to support your tax liability
Home Safety
Outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks
Smoke detectors in every room
Fire extinguisher near the kitchen
Carbon monoxide detector
Plan of Operation
This is what you present to the state. It is also the contract you will have your parents sign.
Include In it everything the state requires.
Food and Nutrition
Sign up with a food program that you can access daily online. It saves countless hours in planning and shopping.
Welcome the food lady who visits you. Ask her any questions and attend her training classes.
Equipment
Purchase items for the ages you plan to serve.
Go to Craigslist and garage sales for gently used items and clean them up to sparkle quality.
Take care to note that the equipment you use is not on the CPSC recall list. You can sign up to get email updates from this Consumer Protection Agency.
Supplies
Educational kits are available online. You can order them for the ages and number of kiddos your wish. They include lesson plans and all materials for craft projects.
Stock up on some canned goods like fruit, vegetables and soups.
Training
Ongoing requirements for the ages you serve are outlined in the state regulations.
As you network with other childcare providers, find a group you like and attend their monthly meetings. They will have training sessions to help you get in your training hours.
Be prepared with a lockthemailbox.com secure environment for children and you will build a successful business and establish your sterling reputation as a professional and trusted childcare provider. Parents and children will love you. This is the icing on the cake. Trust me. I know.
Jane Hercules, MS Ed. is the author of this article. She has researched the varied locking mailbox options being advertised today. She is an educator who is concerned with the many reports of mail theft and subsequent identity theft all over our country today. Children are close to her heart and as a public school teacher and teacher of young children she is aware of a family's need for security.
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