Getting Started
At this point you have made your decision to start your home childcare business, and now you need to get the word out. I was very fortunate to have five children so many of their friends and school teachers were aware of my job. It really helps to start in your own inner circle of friends and aquaintences and spread the word. Let everyone know you are open for business and make sure you inform them of the ages of the children you have spaces for and what your operating hours are. I was lucky I did not have to go door to door to advertise but if that is what you need to do then do it.
Remember no one knows you are open for business unless you tell them. Leave a flyer at your local elementary and middle schools and let your local preschools know about you too. In my hometown some preschools did not take infants until they were two. The schools were glad to take my name and I'm sure were hoping the family would come back to their school when their child turned two. However, the children who were referred to me stayed with me until they were 3 or 4 years old. In fact the more exposure you give your business the better your chances are to fill your spaces.
Your home will be an extension of their home and that's what parents are looking for. You are offering quality loving care for their children and they will be ready to work as a team. As far as equipment goes to start your business, keep it safe and simple. Your handy homemade play dough and your crayons and markers are a must. Art paper, constuction paper, glue, paste and glitter will be some of the essentials as well. Here is my thought on a child's artistic creativity. Everyone can cut out two ears for the pig and a nose and the eyes and so forth...but to see a child start to gain their confidence by drawing or coloring their version of a “pig” is truly unique. I loved encouraging all the children to tell me what they wanted to draw and then I would say “Ok let's draw a Dinasaur”, and we all would start our masterpiece. Yes, we glued feathers on turkeys for Thanksgiving and Stars for the top of Christmas trees but I preferred to let the children do their own “creating” that wasn't about keeping them in “the lines”, but rather whatever their young minds could imagine.
I am biased when it comes to what you need for fun. The boxes, all sizes big and small can create a train or a fort. The oversized paintbrushes to “paint” the trees, and the smaller brushes to "paint" the rocks we would find. You will need extra mats or blankets, playpens and highchairs. However, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg. First ask everyone you know if they don't need any of these items anymore, then go to yard sales and thrift stores. You will find great books and toys that are a fraction of the cost. Having “stations” where the children can play and use a variety of toys is very easy to set up. There is the “blocks” area, the “puzzlesstation and this was always at our dining room table.”Then find the place where you want to put all the reading books to choose from, at their level. You can also have a quiet corner, where they can pretend it's the library, and throw down a blanket or sheet and a few throw pillows, it becomes a cozy reading area.
For outside, have enough room to have hide and seek and running races (all for fun, not to compete) have a few Hoola Hoops handy and frisbees, and let them have fun. You can pick up a couple slides, and some cars they can sit in and always have chalk around, and of course the staples ....Bubbles.You can bring your boxes outside depending on the weather, or have them inside, they have tons of fun with the different size boxes. My daycare parents and families have never said “You do not have enough expensive toys around here”, what really mattered was that their child had a fun filled stimulating, creative day. Too many toys, slides or cars or houses means that the children can't learn as easily to take turns and share. Two of each type of toy is a good number especially if you have a smaller daycare group like I had. Sometimes the simple art project can turn out to be the most inspiring and beautiful creation!
Remember no one knows you are open for business unless you tell them. Leave a flyer at your local elementary and middle schools and let your local preschools know about you too. In my hometown some preschools did not take infants until they were two. The schools were glad to take my name and I'm sure were hoping the family would come back to their school when their child turned two. However, the children who were referred to me stayed with me until they were 3 or 4 years old. In fact the more exposure you give your business the better your chances are to fill your spaces.
Your home will be an extension of their home and that's what parents are looking for. You are offering quality loving care for their children and they will be ready to work as a team. As far as equipment goes to start your business, keep it safe and simple. Your handy homemade play dough and your crayons and markers are a must. Art paper, constuction paper, glue, paste and glitter will be some of the essentials as well. Here is my thought on a child's artistic creativity. Everyone can cut out two ears for the pig and a nose and the eyes and so forth...but to see a child start to gain their confidence by drawing or coloring their version of a “pig” is truly unique. I loved encouraging all the children to tell me what they wanted to draw and then I would say “Ok let's draw a Dinasaur”, and we all would start our masterpiece. Yes, we glued feathers on turkeys for Thanksgiving and Stars for the top of Christmas trees but I preferred to let the children do their own “creating” that wasn't about keeping them in “the lines”, but rather whatever their young minds could imagine.
I am biased when it comes to what you need for fun. The boxes, all sizes big and small can create a train or a fort. The oversized paintbrushes to “paint” the trees, and the smaller brushes to "paint" the rocks we would find. You will need extra mats or blankets, playpens and highchairs. However, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg. First ask everyone you know if they don't need any of these items anymore, then go to yard sales and thrift stores. You will find great books and toys that are a fraction of the cost. Having “stations” where the children can play and use a variety of toys is very easy to set up. There is the “blocks” area, the “puzzlesstation and this was always at our dining room table.”Then find the place where you want to put all the reading books to choose from, at their level. You can also have a quiet corner, where they can pretend it's the library, and throw down a blanket or sheet and a few throw pillows, it becomes a cozy reading area.
For outside, have enough room to have hide and seek and running races (all for fun, not to compete) have a few Hoola Hoops handy and frisbees, and let them have fun. You can pick up a couple slides, and some cars they can sit in and always have chalk around, and of course the staples ....Bubbles.You can bring your boxes outside depending on the weather, or have them inside, they have tons of fun with the different size boxes. My daycare parents and families have never said “You do not have enough expensive toys around here”, what really mattered was that their child had a fun filled stimulating, creative day. Too many toys, slides or cars or houses means that the children can't learn as easily to take turns and share. Two of each type of toy is a good number especially if you have a smaller daycare group like I had. Sometimes the simple art project can turn out to be the most inspiring and beautiful creation!
Set Your Rates
Have a work plan figured out for your budget. You will have to decide whether you want to have part time spaces or full time or if you want them both. I had different rates for parents who needed part timebut because it was still a space that was filled I asked for a certain amount regardless if they were there two or three days or even one day a week. It is your business, and this is your income. (For me it was my only income). I used to charge $25.00 a day for care and then I increased my rate, but even if a parent came earlier to pick up their child, or later in the am to drop them off the rate for the day was the same. It can be very tricky to go back and forth with parents so it has to be your rate and your set schedule. If theirs changes, that's fine but your rate does not. Remember your hours should always include that you do not go “out” for lunch and you do not have 15 miute “breaks” like other jobs offer, so respect yourself with setting the rate you most deserve.
I realize that you might have to compete with other providers in your area but the demand for quality childcare is always most important to parents. While we do not want to gauge their pockets a day of business that runs from 6 am to 6pm is a very long 12-hour day and that is overtime in most companies. I used to work those hours and I know now I did not charge enough. You know this is a business you have at home, but with your own family to tend to after hours this makes for a very long day. So set your hours and rate for what is within your reasonable time frame. When I changed my hours to 7am and then to 7:30 am, I was surprised how many parents were able to accommodate me.
I also went back to night school and I had to leave at 4:30 and there for awhile the parents I had were also very accomodating. I believe if they love the care their child receives, the parents try very hard to work with you. This in turn gave me greater respect for the moms and dads who were flexible with my schedule. About the fees, keep in mind many providers have a “late fee” charge included in their contract. I did not have that and I suppose I was just very lucky. Most of all my families arrived on time, however there was that one family that may need to be reminded. Also choose a specific payment time, I always was paid on Monday mornings at the beginning of each week So, if there is a problem you can talk to the parent before you have worked a full week without pay.
These are hints to help you as a provider to take better care of you and your business. Most parents out there want what is best for their children and really respect the provider who feels the same way about their own business. Make sure in your contract you have it written that you may change your rates, and if you are not sure when, you might want to word it in such a way that let's the family know “It is subject to change but you will be given a 30 day notice”. That way everyone has plenty of notice to budget in the new amount or discuss with you if there are any financial concerns. Most people on the “outside” get raises at work, and at least the “cost of living” raise and they might have their medical and other tax breaks taken out of their check. However, home care providers need to remember that only you and your tax preparer are taking care of how your fees have to be paid. It all comes out of your income and you must budget accordingly, so be smart about what you deserve and do this without gouging the families.
I realize that you might have to compete with other providers in your area but the demand for quality childcare is always most important to parents. While we do not want to gauge their pockets a day of business that runs from 6 am to 6pm is a very long 12-hour day and that is overtime in most companies. I used to work those hours and I know now I did not charge enough. You know this is a business you have at home, but with your own family to tend to after hours this makes for a very long day. So set your hours and rate for what is within your reasonable time frame. When I changed my hours to 7am and then to 7:30 am, I was surprised how many parents were able to accommodate me.
I also went back to night school and I had to leave at 4:30 and there for awhile the parents I had were also very accomodating. I believe if they love the care their child receives, the parents try very hard to work with you. This in turn gave me greater respect for the moms and dads who were flexible with my schedule. About the fees, keep in mind many providers have a “late fee” charge included in their contract. I did not have that and I suppose I was just very lucky. Most of all my families arrived on time, however there was that one family that may need to be reminded. Also choose a specific payment time, I always was paid on Monday mornings at the beginning of each week So, if there is a problem you can talk to the parent before you have worked a full week without pay.
These are hints to help you as a provider to take better care of you and your business. Most parents out there want what is best for their children and really respect the provider who feels the same way about their own business. Make sure in your contract you have it written that you may change your rates, and if you are not sure when, you might want to word it in such a way that let's the family know “It is subject to change but you will be given a 30 day notice”. That way everyone has plenty of notice to budget in the new amount or discuss with you if there are any financial concerns. Most people on the “outside” get raises at work, and at least the “cost of living” raise and they might have their medical and other tax breaks taken out of their check. However, home care providers need to remember that only you and your tax preparer are taking care of how your fees have to be paid. It all comes out of your income and you must budget accordingly, so be smart about what you deserve and do this without gouging the families.
The Interview
Usually this “in home” interview follows the first phone call interview. Basically on the phone you have a gut feeling if this parents is someone you can work with in your daycare. First, most parents are asking if you have any openings, then I give ask them what are your expectations? Then I give them some information about myself and how long I have been in this business.At some point you the provider are ready to set a date and time to meet with this new family and their child. I always met with my new families during my workday so they could see observe the daycare dynamics. I meet with the parents and their child and I show them around my home and explain where we eat, where the children take naps, and where the bathrooms are. I point out the yard area and the different toys and activities we have. I did have a dog and he was always locked on the side in a dog run and never allowed out with the children. Then the parents and I would sit down at my dining room table or if we needed to walk around with the children we did that while discussing all the issues. I went over my contract completely and made sure to ask if they had any questions or concerns. The hours the pay the mealtimes the illness policies were all discussed.In this interview you will be able to get a better understanding of what these parents really need.
Make sure you ask them important questions too. I always ask about who will be dropping off and picking up, as often this changes from time to time.It must be only those who are authorized by the parents, and documented on the forms the provider has on file.I have had on two different occasions to turn away a family member because they were not included on the list of names who could pick up the child. Luckily, there were no hard feelings, still it can be an awkward situation. Other questions I like to ask is “How do you feel if a child talks about Jesus or going to their church?” I ask this because some people are put off by any talk of religion or faith, yet that's what a child might want to say. I never brought up my faith or views on religion in any way with my daycare business. I also had no objections, ever, if a child brought up any discussion about it, after all these are small children who repeat things they have heard and seen and we are to listen, without judgement. I believe this is another way to help teach compassion and tolerance for all.
Faith and religion are personal views and I did not condone or condemn if that topic was brought up. Once a 2 year old little girl said, as we were about to eat lunch, “I thank Jesus for this food”...who can have a problem with that? We all looked at her and I said “Thank you” and we began to eat. This shows the beauty of a child's heart. With interviewing parents many issues don't always come up at that one meeting, so get a good reading on the parents to see if they are the type who can handle the remarks other children might say without a negative response. Sometimes you just have a gut feeling on a family, and you know they will make a great addition to your daycare. After the interview if we all accept the contract policies and the family is ready to start with my daycare, I send them home with a list of the other parents names and encourage them to call and ask any questions they would like to. On the first Monday of the week they start they bring me back the singed contract, the immunizations copy and all the other important medical and emergency information that is required before entering into my daycare. I remind them that if there are any questions or concerns they may call me and I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.
Make sure you ask them important questions too. I always ask about who will be dropping off and picking up, as often this changes from time to time.It must be only those who are authorized by the parents, and documented on the forms the provider has on file.I have had on two different occasions to turn away a family member because they were not included on the list of names who could pick up the child. Luckily, there were no hard feelings, still it can be an awkward situation. Other questions I like to ask is “How do you feel if a child talks about Jesus or going to their church?” I ask this because some people are put off by any talk of religion or faith, yet that's what a child might want to say. I never brought up my faith or views on religion in any way with my daycare business. I also had no objections, ever, if a child brought up any discussion about it, after all these are small children who repeat things they have heard and seen and we are to listen, without judgement. I believe this is another way to help teach compassion and tolerance for all.
Faith and religion are personal views and I did not condone or condemn if that topic was brought up. Once a 2 year old little girl said, as we were about to eat lunch, “I thank Jesus for this food”...who can have a problem with that? We all looked at her and I said “Thank you” and we began to eat. This shows the beauty of a child's heart. With interviewing parents many issues don't always come up at that one meeting, so get a good reading on the parents to see if they are the type who can handle the remarks other children might say without a negative response. Sometimes you just have a gut feeling on a family, and you know they will make a great addition to your daycare. After the interview if we all accept the contract policies and the family is ready to start with my daycare, I send them home with a list of the other parents names and encourage them to call and ask any questions they would like to. On the first Monday of the week they start they bring me back the singed contract, the immunizations copy and all the other important medical and emergency information that is required before entering into my daycare. I remind them that if there are any questions or concerns they may call me and I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.
