It’s Not Just Babysitting – Intro To Running An In Home Daycare Business
May 12, 2008 by Yvonne Russell
Our Home Biz Notes May theme is Work At Home Moms in honor of Mother’s Day this month.
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This is the first in a 4 part series from Debbie Yost about In Home Daycare as a home business.
Guest Post
By Debbie Yost
Five years ago when I wanted to stay home with my children, I thought the perfect way to supplement our family income was to run an in-home daycare. I had an advantage over many individuals entering this profession because I had audited the State of Missouri Child Care Facilities Inspections and Licensing department. During this audit, I had the opportunity to observe many in-home child care facilities and saw the good, the bad and the ugly.
In order to run a successful in-home daycare, a lot of planning needs to be made. There are many state laws and regulations you must follow as well as possible city or county codes. There are fire safety standards. There are training requirements including CPR and First Aid. There is a lot of equipment needed. However, in many ways, all these requirements are the easy part. It’s all written out for you and all you need to do is check it off as you get it done.
What the laws and regulations and statutes don’t cover, however, you are left to figure out on your own.
Over the next couple weeks I will discuss some of areas that can cause conflict and stress and make a dream job become a nightmare.
All 4 posts in this series
Read Part 1: It’s Not Just Babysitting – Intro To Running An In Home Daycare Business
Read Part 2: In Home Daycare Business Series – You’re The Boss Of The Parents Too
Read Part 3: In Home Daycare Business Series – Appearances Do Matter
Read Part 4: In Home Daycare Business Series – Find Your Own Niche
Debbie Yost is a work at home mom who has run a small in-home day care, The Tot Stop, for the last five years. She and her husband have three daughters ages 11, 5 and 3. Debbie’s youngest daughter has Down syndrome.
Because of her daughter, Debbie has become an advocate for people with Down syndrome to ensure they have the same opportunities to live a full and rewarding life as others.
Debbie writes from home whenever she finds time between bottles, diapers, naps and other parental duties. Her personal blog is Three Weddings.
© Bio photo courtesy of Debbie Yost.
© Guest Post Button Image courtesy of Yvonne Russell at Grow Your Writing Business.com
I think a lot of people underestimate the responsibility and preparation behind caring for kids by the rules. I know another Deb who has a child with down syndrome. She runs a non-profit called Practice Without Pressure to help disabled patients get quality personal care. I think you two have similar interests. http://www.pwpde.com
Hi Tisa,
I would agree with you. Many parents appreciate that you are just following the laws, but many want you to bend the rules for them. The problem is if you do that, then they will use it against you. Laws protect the provider as much as the parents and child.
Thank you for the information on the other Deb. I’ll check her out.
Welcome to Home Biz Notes, Debbie. I’m looking forward the other posts in your series too.
There’s a lot of really solid, practical information here.
Thanks for guest posting for us.
Hi Tisa
Thanks for connecting Debbie with your friend and for your input on Debbie’s topic. Great to see you here.
Thanks, Debbie, for being a guest at Home Biz Notes. I’m sure your information and advice will be of great value to our readers who are considering a daycare business or who are already involved in one.
Hi. i want to start a home daycare too. i have worked in daycare centers off and on throughout my life. i started working at a daycare when i was 14. i also have two kids of my own. i don’t really have a problem with watching kids except for the discipline area and with managing the daily tasks of having an in home buisness. Do you have a book, dvd, or cd with any tips on how to successfully run an in home daycare?
i want to leave the daycare that i’m at. i don’t feel as though they respect me and i like bieng at home (i feel more comfortable there) and i want to make money doing what i’m good at.
i just don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with my daycare, it could be costly not knowing what to do and how to do it. i want to do this right. since you’ve successfully run a daycare for 5 years i thought mabey (if you have the time) you could offer some advice. thanks!
if you do send a reply, please send it directly to my email. i tend to forget the name of the website that i was on. thanks.
Hi Nicole
You just need to tick the Notify Comments box on any post where you want to follow the converstaion in the comments. All comment replies will then automatically go to your inbox.