Tips for Starting a Day Care

You've always dreamed about starting your own day care
business. The perfect situation which allows you to be
with your kids whilst bringing in much needed money and
being your own boss. But due to fear of the unknown you
haven't done so. You're afraid to take that risk.

Here's my tip, remove the fear. Sample the environment
first, familiarise yourself with the business to see if it
is something you would truly enjoy. This is the ultimate
form of research, total immersion. Try to get a job or even
get volunteer work at a day care (ideally one that
allows staff to bring their kids or arrange a temporary
child care arrangement whilst you research your potential
business). Do whatever it takes to get the time off, use
your vacation days, arrange a leave of absence.

There is nothing like on the ground experience to figure
out your suitability for a particular profession.
Hands on,practical experience will introduce you to the
nitty gritty of daily operations. You can learn invaluable
lessons and glean tips and hints that could otherwise cause
you to fall at the first hurdle. Observation and practical
application is great for figuring out what works and what
doesn't.

Your research period should be your sponge phase. Use it
to soak up every atom of information possible. Take a copy
book with you and jot down notes on your breaks, while it's
still fresh in your head. Do the same thing when you get
home in the evening before you forget those little nuggets.
Oogle all paperwork, policies and procedures every chance
you get. There'll be a lot so just try to remember key
points for now. You can flesh that stuff out later. Just
get an overview of how it all fits together.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially of the owner
or more senior, experienced staff. Observe how they work,
how they interact with children, parents and other staff.
Try to identify different roles e.g. does each room have
a keyworker and assistants? How does that work and could
it be more effective? You will notice weaknesses too but
use those to your advantage learning what not to do. Be
aware of health and safety routines and issues. Hone in on
any behavioural problems and notice what is the procedure
for dealing with same.

Every successful business has effective systems, policies
and procedures in place enabling it to run smoothly. The
same applies to day care, once you remove the fear of
the unknown by immersing yourself in the daily operations
of a day care all the pieces will come together in your
head enabling you to get beyond the fear to a more
confident and constructive place. Most importantly though,
it will give you a very good idea if child care is a
business in which you could thrive. Passion and interest
are paramount...these are what carry you through the tough
times to success.

Now, what have you got to lose? Get researching.
Potentially, you are gaining the perfect business for you
and your family.