How to Start a Family Daycare in California

Imagine staying at home with your kids and earning up to $10,000 dollars a month working for yourself; it is possible if you own a family daycare center. Family daycare is a small business idea that works well for people who love kids or are taking care of their own children and want to work at home. If you are ready to get into business for yourself, you could make between $150.00-300.00 per week per child. Most family daycare providers work with small groups of children varying from 1-8 children to 9-14, depending on the type of license they have.

Parents who choose family daycare over pre-school programs are looking for a warm, nurturing place that feels like home for their children. To make your family daycare attractive to parents, offer quality early learning activities, nutritious snacks and a well equipped play area. Community colleges offer low cost classes on early childhood education, which will teach you how to manage a family daycare and teach young children.

Marketing your Family daycare

One of the best ways to market your new family daycare is to be listed by the family resource and referral agency. Family resource and referral will give prospective parents your contact information. You can also advertise locally both online and in print. Also consider participating in family organizations in your community. Accepting childcare vouchers and subsidy programs will help because more families will be able to afford your program.

If you are offering excellent care, you should have no trouble finding families that need your services. Consider applying for NAEYC, National Association for the Education of Young Children, accreditation. NAEYC accreditation shows the public that your daycare has professionalism and commitment to high standards of care. The ongoing process of accreditation will guide you, showing how you can improve the quality of your business. NAEYC also refers families to participating accredited daycare providers, helping you to keep full enrollment. Finally, accredidation is like a seal of approval from the early childhood profession, that your family daycare is one of the best places parents can take their kids.

How to get licensed and costs

In California, the process for becoming a licensed family daycare center is straight forward. First, you attend an orientation meeting with California Community Care Licensing, which costs $25.00. Next you complete fingerprinting, background check, and a licensing application; the total fees are approximately $350.00 depending on the number of children you want to serve. Family daycare providers are required to complete 15 hours of health and safety training and at least one person must have pediatric CPR training.

Finally, your home is inspected to make sure it is a safe and clean environment for young children. Assuming, that your home is already safe and child-proof you would need to get insurance, supplies and toys to be ready to open your doors. Typical operating costs for a family daycare include: food, supplies, employees and insurance. Community Care Licensing has online resources that provide more information about current requirements.

Keep in mind that kids can be messy and hard on your house. Sometimes children can be extremely difficult and challenging to work with, there will be times when you need staff or friends and family you can rely on for help. Community Care Licensing can also inspect your home regularly to make sure you continue to meet state standards for care. Family daycare is not an option for everyone but for the right person, it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity.