| Before setting up your own child-care business, you | | | | Market Check |
| should consider the following six points: | | | | You should initiate market research by calling up other |
| Type Of Business | | | | childcare business centers around to see whether |
| Before setting up a child-care business, you should | | | | they have more clients than they can handle or vice |
| think about the location from where you intend to | | | | versa. You should always identify a location where |
| operate. Some people like to work from home, while | | | | many parents need a childcare facility. Your location |
| some like to set up their business in a different area. | | | | should also be easily accessible. |
| A person intending to operate away from home can | | | | Surveys indicate that affluent and very educated |
| consider some commercial business options such as | | | | families rely on childcare centers, much in the way that |
| partnering with similar businesses in a franchise | | | | low-income families rely on their relatives. |
| agreement. | | | | Chains of childcare facilities have developed due to |
| Legal Points | | | | increasing demand. A number of chains also offer |
| Before starting, gather all information with regard to the | | | | franchises. Programs can vary according to the |
| business and also talk to your local business service | | | | services provided. The business can be day care, drop |
| center, to find out what kind of license and other legal | | | | in care, extended care (where the parents leave town |
| formalities are required. Also ask about the cost of | | | | for a period of time) nighttime care or after school |
| these licenses. You have to follow health code | | | | care. There are special day care centers for seniors |
| regulations and inspections, as well as adhere to the | | | | too. |
| fire code. These policies depend on the location of | | | | Starting a home day care center can cost anywhere |
| your business. | | | | between $500 and $5,000, depending on the |
| Basic Education | | | | equipment you need to buy and remodeling to meet |
| You may need to gain special certifications and training | | | | license laws. |
| to run a successful child-care business. This may | | | | Figuring Out Your Needs |
| include CPR, first aid classes and certification in | | | | Before planning to start, you should sit down and think |
| child-care and child development. These certifications | | | | about finance requirements. You might also want to |
| will legitimize your business. | | | | consider adding additional staff to help you take care |
| Insurance | | | | of the children. |
| You have to find out about the insurance that you | | | | A successful childcare business can be initiated with |
| may need to cover damages or injuries that may | | | | careful planning and attention. You should always think |
| occur during the operation of the business. If you plan | | | | of enhancing your business by thinking of new ways |
| to start your business at home, then you will probably | | | | to give the children a better and safe home away |
| have to increase the limits of your current policy or | | | | from home. |
| you may have to invest in a separate policy. | | | | |