Starting a Child Care Service in Your Home May Require More Thank You Think

Are you thinking about keeping children in your home? Here are a few tips to get you started. The first thing you need to do is check to see if you need a license. Some states will let you keep up to so many children without a license, but if you are going to keep more than that you will need to make sure. In Tennessee the maximum is five children without a license (and that includes your own children if you have any).

The second thing is make sure your home is toddler proof if you are keeping toddlers. Make sure you have covers on all the electrical outlets they can reach, keep all breakables out of reach, make sure to put some sort of locks on all cabinet doors, and keep all chemicals and poisons out of reach (preferable completely out of the house in a shed or garage). You should also keep all doors locked (make sure to put a lock where it can not be reached by children) that lead up and down stairs. Basically, you want to do everything to make your home child proof that you did with your own children.

Next, you will need all types of information on the child or children you will be keeping. Make sure to get name, address, phone number, and at least three emergency contacts. These are basics, but you also need the following information: does the child have any type of allergies (i.e. food, environmental, bee stings, medications et cetera); does the child have any medical conditions or take any kind of medication; is the child on any kind of restricted or special diet; is the child allowed to play outside and for how long. These are just a few things you really need to know.

You also need to get the name of their doctor and any specifications in case of any kind of accident (where they are to be taken and what is to be done).

You need to make sure that you have at least three contacts you can get in touch with in the event of an emergency. It is best to have at least two phone numbers for each contact, and three is even better. In today's society you can never be too cautious. One thing you may want to ask is if there is anyone who should never be allowed to pick up the child for any reason. This is because in some divorce or separation cases one (or even both) of the parents can not be around the child unsupervised or at all. Find out what to do in the event that the parent or person tries to make contact with the child. Make sure to never ever let the child leave with someone who is not specified on your list of pick ups.

One thing to consider is to keep a drop off and pick up list for each day. Put the time of drop off and pick up and have the person sign it.

It is also a very good idea to be trained in CPR and other life saving techniques. Check with your local Red Cross, YMCA, or other organization about taking classes in life saving techniques.

Remember now, this is your house and you are the one who is going to be running the daycare. You must have rules for the parents/other to abide by just like they would expect you to. Make it known that payment must be made on time, the child must be picked up and dropped off on time (or notice must be given or a very good reason must be provided), you do have the right to terminate care if the child is extremely unruly or very badly misbehave, and you have the right to terminate service if the parents/other is consistently early or late dropping off or picking up without prior notice. It is in your best interest to write up something and have the parents/other to sign it, and if possible, get it notarized saying they understand these rules.

Ask the parent exactly how the child is disciplined at their own home. This way you can keep it consistent and make it easier on you, the child, and the parents/other. If they use time out at home, try to use it while keeping the child. However, you never ever have the right to spank the child (even in the parents/other say they do). That is not only wrong but illegal in most states.

There are many many more rules and regulations for keeping children so do your homework before you jump right into it. Talk to other daycare owners and/or talk to your local Chamber of Commerce and find out whom you can get all the rules and regulations from. If you feel the need, talk to an attorney about any of the legal matters of running a daycare.

Going blind into this type of business (adventure) can lead to a lot of trouble down the road. Make absolutely certain that you know what your rights as well as the parent's rights are. And again, make sure to find out if you have a license. Some states may even require you have a license to keep one child in your home.

Last but not least one thing that is of importance, make sure your homeowners insurance will cover this type of business in your home. Some homeowners insurance will not cover keeping children for payment in the home. You definitely need to know upfront because accidents, unfortunately, do happen.

Therefore, you may love children and think that keeping them would be an easy job. Think again. There is more to caring for children in your home than just keeping them.

Source(s):

Personal experience (and working at several daycares)

Knowing several people who keep children in their homes