In Virginia, for example, licensing starts when the daycare business has
6 or more children under its watch. According to the Virginia Department of
Social Services, which governs licensing and regulation of daycares in the state, "the
Code of Virginia mandates the licensure of family day homes that provide
care for six to twelve children (exclusive of the provider's own children
and any children who reside in the home)." Therefore, you can operate a
family daycare business, without the need for licensing, in your home for up
to 5 children.
The first step in starting your family childcare business is to prepare a
business plan. Even if you will not be applying for a bank loan, a business
plan helps you to think through your business - what it needs, who it will
benefit, how much it will cost, and what is its potential. Thinking through
the business includes knowing how you will reach your target market, or even
how to approach the neighbor you think would benefit from your services.
Here are free
business plans on childcare business that you may want to look into:
It is also important that you learn the tax rules affecting daycare
centers, especially if you are going to open one from your home. Read the
IRS instructions for child care businesses.
As for the licenses and requirements in your state, the Administration
for Children and Families provide a state by state listing of contacts for
licensing and regulations governing child care businesses: http://www.nccic.org/statedata/dirs/regoffic.html
Resources:
Books:
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