Start your own child-care service: your step-by-step guide to success

Introduction. How do they start?

Who's running the centers?

Who is your market?

Before 9 and after 5

First things first

Buying an existing child-care service

Evaluating a company

Outlook for the future

Services and policies. Services

Policies

Confidentiality and access to records

Fees

Hours of operation

Holidays

Vacations

Absences

Transportation

Chronic misbehavior and other adjustment issues

Care of sick children

Late pickup

Meals

Emergencies

Health issues

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs

Release of children

Cell phones

Other policies

Admission procedures

Safety standards and policies

Children with special needs

Administering medication

Running your child-care business. Children's records

Incident reports

Management records

Purchasing and inventory

Are you on a mission?

Programs

Accreditation for family child-care centers

Are you on a mission?

Structuring your business. Naming your company

Choosing a legal structure

Licenses and permits

Trademark and copyright issues

Insurance

Accident insurance

Liability insurance

Professional advisors

Create your own advisory board

Startup economics and financial management. Startup costs: how much do you need?

Building banking relationships

Setting prices

Labor and materials

Hourly or weekly?

Increasing your revenue

Forms of payment

Collection procedures

Keeping records: start right, stay right

Getting free supplies and services

Locating and setting up. Choosing a commercial location

Improving an existing facility

Indoor space and equipment

Playground and outdoor areas

Walkways, stairs, and railings

Health, safety, and sanitation practices

Setting up a homebased center

Childproofing your home

Pets

Furnishing and equipping your center. Specific rooms

Lobby/reception area

Office

Classrooms

Choosing the right toys

Toilet-training equipment

Playground equipment

Audiovisual and computer equipment

Inventory

Classroom supplies

Cleaning supplies

Health and safety standards.

Kitchen and laundry facilites. Kitchen

Ventilation

Food and beverage supplies

Good nutrition and mealtime behavior

Laundry

Design and equipment

Buying used equipment

Office equipment

Telecommunications

Keep your customers out of voice-mail jail

Office supplies

Transportation services. Driver requirements

Vehicle requirements

Training

General policies

Children will be children

Starting a transportation service

Setting prices

Hiring and keeping drivers

Before the first ride

Parent relationships. Encouraging parental involvement

Keeping parents informed

Helping parents understand your bond with their children

If you have a problem

When a parent has a problem

When parents are chronically late

Communication tips

Marketing. Direct mail

Make your grand opening truly grand

Plan ahead

Media kits that get results

Referrals are essential

The deal on discounts

Your logo

Your sign

Going online

Staffing. When to hire

Deciding what you need

Where to look for candidates

Positions

Evaluating applicants

Caregiver characteristics and qualifications

Background checks

Once they're on board

Temporary employees

Employee benefits

The high cost of turnover

Maintain adequate personnel files

Child-to-staff ratios

Facility maintenance. Building maintenance

Exterior maintenance

Equipment maintenance

When things go wrong. Security

Preventing and dealing with injuries

Evacuation plans

When you suspect abuse

Bicycle safety

Reacting to a crisis

Tales from the trenches. Invest in yourself

Reach out to the community for enrichment

Find out how you're doing

Differentiate your service

Earn and demand respect

Get commitments from your customers

Follow up on everything you do

Keep a professional distance

Be prepared for the bad days

Enjoy the rewards

Child-care service resources. Associations and online resources

Books and publications

Consultants and other experts

Credit card services

Equipment and supplies

Government agencies and related resources

Successful child-care and transportation service providers.