Table of Contents

Introduction-My story Step 1- Is a Child Care Business the right business for you? Step 2- Where will you start your Childcare Business? Unlicensed Home daycare (caring for 4 children) Licensed Home daycare (up to 10 children) Child Care Center (more than 10 children) Step 3-Structuring/Insuring the Business Sole Proprietor, Limited Liability Corporation Policies (Staff Handbooks, Parent Handbooks, Curriculum, etc) Naming the Business Insurance

Step 4-Asseessing the need for childcare Contact local childcare resource and referral agency Step 5-Financing your business Your money, grants, Loans, credit card, etc. Step 6- Equipment needed for a Home Daycare Changing table, cots, cribs, etc. Step 7- Equipment Need for a Child Care Center Class room materials/equipment, office supplies, food service items, etc. Step 8- Budget for your Business Monthly income, expenses, operating cost, profit/loss, etc. Step 9- Create a Business Plan-Marketing plan, philosophy, key operators, business goals, etc.

Step 10- Time to Take Action!

My Story

In the fall of 1998, an idea came to me, Start a Daycare. Immediately after the thought entered my mind, I rejected it. I said to myself, NOT A Daycare. I still believe to this day that the thought was an idea sent by God, because I had no prior childcare experience. In fact, I only had six years of experience as a Medical Assistant. Weeks after the thought of starting a daycare entered my mind; I decided to give it a try. I placed an ad in the local newspaper and two-weeks after placing the ad, all of my enrollment slots were full. So, I set an Opening a Child Care opening date of December 27, 1998 and I Business is one of the best gave my employer a 30-day notice. decisions that I have ever It took so much faith for me to leave my career as a Registered Medical Assistant to start a daycare in my home. However, there were three things that inspired me to stay home with my children to start a daycare in my home and they are as follows: made in my life.

1. I was tired of driving 54 miles a day to and from work 2. I was wanted to stay home with my children 3. My paycheck was the same every two weeks and I needed to make a change After my decision was made, I went out and bought equipment and materials for my daycare with only $600. The first day that I opened the daycare, I was very nervous because mothers trusted me with their precious little ones and I wanted to be the best childcare provider that I could possibly be. As my neighbors, family and friends learned that I was operating a childcare business, I was inspired to go from an unlicensed provider to a licensed family home childcare business.

In February 1999, I applied for a childcare license and a special use permit to operate a daycare caring for up to ten children in my home. The licensing process was not easy, but it was well worth the efforts of modifying my home to meet the local licensing regulations. The toughest part of the process was getting the approval of one of my neighbors. In the municipality where I lived, I was required to obtain consent from at least 75% of my neighbors. After two public hearings, I was granted a special use permit in March 1999. In April 1999 I received my license to operate a licensed family home childcare business, caring for up to 10 children ages 6weeks-to 12-years of age. Furthering my education inspired me to think on The entire process was amazing and a great another level and accomplishment. I must say that I appreciate my husband and children for giving up their transformed my business home for families in our community. Our entire living and dining room was dedicated to daycare space. In fact, my husband finished our basement, so that we could have family space and an additional bedroom on the lower level. In 2001, I saw the need to further my education, so I enrolled in the local community college childcare field base program. This program transformed my thinking and inspired me to improve my daycare. Through the program I obtained 12-college semester hours in early childhood education. The program was so beneficial to me, that I decided to add more equipment and materials. The business went from a daycare to a preschool and I changed the name of the business from Morgan Daycare to Learning Days. My instructors, Linda Freud and Jeanie Edwards coached me into providing quality developmentally appropriate practices in my daycare. As I began to learn many new practices, I was inspired to take my business to another level.

That next level was Accreditation. In 2002, I applied for NAFCC accreditation and was awarded accreditation in 2003, right before I expanded into a childcare center. I moved into my childcare center in April 2003, which I currently still operate as I write this e-book. Furthermore, after operating my center for 8 years I decided to help others start-up and manage their daycare businesses through books, articles, start-up consultations, webinars and classes at my center. A Child Care Business is all about the kids and their family childcare needs

After reading my story you may have noticed that starting up a childcare business will take the following: Sacrifice Determination Hard work The support of your family Plenty of energy Faith!

I hope that my story has inspired you to go ahead and start your daycare business. The original reason that I started my daycare was about me, however as I operated my business, I discovered that the business is all about the kids and their family childcare needs.

So, if you are ready to serve the families in your community, with the attitude of a servant and be committed to providing families with the best care possible; I believe that you are 80% ready to start a childcare business. The other 20% is all in how you run your business!

Step 1-Is a Child Care Business the Right Business for You?

You may have already made your decision to start a childcare business. However, before you make your final decision, ask yourself the following questions: 1. Are you self motivated? 2. How much knowledge do you have about Before deciding to go into running a childcare business? business for yourself, you 3. Are you will to get additional training or should make careful and pursue child related college education? honest assessments of your 4. Do you follow rules and regulations very strengths and weaknesses well? as a potential business 5. Do you love caring for others? owner. 6. How is your decision making? ~ First Childrens Finance 7. Are you physically able to work 12-hours days if required of you? 8. How is your mental and emotional health? 9. Are you organized? 10.Do you know how to effectively manage money? 11. How will you finance your business? 12. Are you creative? 13. How is your attitude? 14. Are you willing to sacrifice your family home? 15. Do you prefer a commercial location away from your home?

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