5 Things to Do Before Opening Your Home Daycare

Opening a home daycare is an incredible business opportunity that lets you work from home.

However, having a consistent game plan that enables success is important!

When you’re starting this venture, read these essential things to do before opening your home daycare.  

Create Your Business Plan

The first step toward opening any business is creating a business plan. This helps express your vision for the establishment and jot down key elements.

In this case, a daycare is child-centered, and you need to set tangible goals or acknowledge possible challenges. For instance, demand for daycare in the area plays a significant role in the business plan.

And you should write down the number of possible daycare attendees.

Get Insurance and Licensing

Another thing to do before opening your home daycare is to get insurance and licensing.

Accidents happen, especially in childcare, and you want to protect your establishment. Licensing your home daycare ensures parents that your program meets government standards.

In addition, policies that include liability coverage, property insurance, and business insurance are important too!

Figure Out Funding

A home daycare can quickly add up. Toys, nap cots, arts and crafts tools, cleaning supplies, licensing, and insurance are a few expenses you will encounter.

Although investing money in your business is typical, sometimes your initial investments can’t cover all the costs.

That’s why it’s vital to seek grants and different funding methods. Local grants can help, but you can also take out a loan to cover leftover expenses.

Prepare the Center

Select the area in your home exclusive to daycare operations and prepare the space. Install shelves and toy bins, and find space for supplies.

It’s also a good idea to think of decorative elements. One thing to consider when decorating a daycare is the theme or motif.

Of course, you want to create a fun and engaging center, but a theme can help you select specific toys and supplies. Some cool theme ideas are:

• TV shows (Paw Patrol, Cocomelon, Sesame Street, etc.)
• Dinosaur
• Storybooks
• Circus
• Nature

Establish Policies and Procedures

Before opening the center, you must establish policies and procedures for families and your staff.

Doing so lays out your expectations and allows staff to navigate issues.

For instance, a policy that addresses late pickup allows staff to let parents know the consequences of picking up their child after operation hours.