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Getting Started
Before you
decide to do child daycare there are some things to consider! Please read Is
Child Care Really the Job for Me? before you get started!
So you have decided you
would like to open a childcare business. You are sure that this is
the right thing for you (See question above!) Then the next step is
to get a license or in some states you get registered.
1. You will need
to contact your local childcare licensing/registering department.
This is usually part of a Human Services Department, either state or
county operated. In MN you are licensed by the state through county
offices. You will need to call them and request a childcare license
application. Most offices will mail them out to you along with other
information about starting childcare. Our local county even goes so
far as to offer an orientation meeting all about getting licensed and the
resources and services for childcare providers. You will most likely
be assigned to a social worker that is in charge of childcare licensing.
These people are usually very helpful and you should feel free to contact
them with any questions you may have.
2. When you
receive an application you should also get a copy of the Child Daycare
Rule for your state. For individual state rules see Individual
States' Child Care Licensure Regulations. This is your daycare
bible so to speak. It is the document that contains all the rules
and regulations you must follow in order to receive and maintain a
childcare license. It will tell you what the regulations are as far
as safety issues: such as fire escapes in your home, stairways, yards,
etc., health issues: such as reporting sicknesses, child abuse, serving
foods, etc., equipment requirements, space requirements, child to
adult ratios, and much, much, more.
3. You will need
to see that you can meet all the requirements given by your state.
In some cases you may need to make some adjustments to your home, but
mainly you will need to check and update your safety measures and acquire
equipment. You may need to, if you haven't already, put smoke
detectors on all levels of your home, have a fire extinguisher in your
kitchen, lock away all guns and ammo, keep knives and other sharp
instruments as well as poisons and medication in locked inaccessible
places, and have a fist aid kid, among other things. You will also
need to show you have appropriate equipment for children, such as toys,
places for sleeping, outdoor play things, and the list goes on.
These things do not have to be new, however they should be clean and in
good repair.
There is usually nothing in the Rule that would prevent
you from obtaining a license, and if there is something you are not sure
you are going to be able to do, you can usually apply for a variance.
A variance means they will vary the Rule in some way in order for
you to meet the Rule requirements. The Rule should cover everything
you need to know and do to get started but be aware it is written in
legislative terms so you may be calling your licenser for clarity.
4. In most states
you will need to have a criminal background check done on you as
well as any one living in your home over the age of 18, and your
substitutes. Some states even require you be fingerprinted.
They will have you fill out forms and each person having a check done will
need to sign them. These can take some time to get done, this is not
a speedy process.
5. Training such
as CPR and First Aid training are required in most states as well.
If you live in a state that does not require CPR training I would strongly
recommend you do it anyway. The lives of other peoples children are
in your hands! Other training may be required and will vary from
state to state. Most states do require providers put in a certain
amount of hours in training a year (which you can do after you have been
licensed). There are many childcare conferences that you can attend
that will help you meet those requirements. Many local associations
offer training's also. Training, conferences, and workshops are
important for establishing and enriching the quality of your childcare.
They are also a lot of fun! They give you a chance to meet other
providers and discuss childcare, and often times they have vendors that
will offer a variety of products that are useful to childcare providers.
6. Some other
things that you may be required to do before receiving a license will
take a little time and planning, but are not impossible to carry out.
One thing you may have to do is to have a physical. If you
are looking to get your license in a hurry you may want to schedule that
appointment right away. There are usually some regulation about
house pets, they need to be kept up to date on all their vaccinations.
In some cases they may require you have a Fire Marshall inspect your
house prior to the licenser coming out. He requested that we have
our furnace cleaned and checked, which we did. (here again, this
took a little time because we had to schedule that also.) Most
states will require you to show your written contract and policies
at your licensing inspection. (For more help with those see Contracts
and Policies.) Liability insurance is a good idea,
although it's not always required it really could save you in the long
run, accidents happen to even the most careful providers. Licensing
can be different for everyone, it all depends on you, your home, your
state, and your licenser.
7. Once you
have submitted the necessary paper work and you feel you and your house
will meet the daycare rules then you will need to tell you licenser you
are ready for an inspection. In MN they will schedule a day
and time with you, in other states I am not sure if they schedule one with
you or just call you that day. I even believe in some states they
may forgo a personal interview and inspection but I would think that is
rare. When the licenser comes they will inspect your home, review
any documents they have asked you to submit, and they may ask you some
questions about childcare. They will review your application for
licensing and if approved you should receive your license in the mail
shortly! A licenser may give you a temporary license on the spot
too, it is different in each state. Hand it on your wall in a nice
frame when you receive it! Be proud of it! You deserve
it! Congratulations!
All in all the licensing process runs pretty smoothly for most. It
does take a certain amount of time so submit any necessary paper work ASAP
to cut down on them getting hung up on something. Most people have
very little problem getting a license. In most states you will have
to renew this license annually or biannually.
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