Dallas Public Library

Start your own child-care service, homebased - commercial - transportation, the staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. and Jacquelyn Lynn

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 187-190) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Start your own child-care service

bibliography

890625125

the staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. and Jacquelyn Lynn

Startup series

homebased - commercial - transportation

"The experts at Entrepreneur Press guide readers through the steps of planning, starting, and running a successful child-care business. This guide has been revised with the latest trends, facts, and figures, along with an updated list of resources to help readers create a stable and enriching environment for child development, as well as a sound and profitable business. Readers learn how to: choose the type of child care program and services to offer; acquire the right licensing, permits, insurance protection, and state-specific child care licensing; analyze the market, asses the needs of the community, and match services to fit those needs; find the right location, or decide to operate from home; comply with safety regulations and child-care provisions of the Disabilities Act; consider zoning laws, space requirements, and legal determinations of offsite properties; calculate startup costs, get funded, manage finances, create a business plan, and account for the day-to-day operating costs; stay competitive in the market with low-cost marketing tactics; find, hire, and keep good employees in a high turnover industry; set policies, hours, and staff responsibilities; plan a program, communicate rules and policies to parents, and integrate nutrition"--, Provided by publisher"As the number of single-parent families and dual-income families grows, the need for quality child care grows along with it. This revised guide presents the latest trends, resources, and tools, along with sound advice from practicing child-care business owners to get them started on the path to success"--, Provided by publisher

Preface -- 1. Introduction -- How did 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 -- 2. Services and 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 -- 3. 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 -- 4. Structuring you 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 -- 5. Startup economics and financial management -- Startup costs -- Building banking relationships -- Setting prices -- Labor and materials -- Revenue -- Forms of payment -- Collection -- Keeping records -- Getting free supplies and services -- 6. Locating and setting up -- Commercial location -- Health, safety, and sanitation -- Homebased center -- Childproofing your home -- 7. Furnishing and equipping your center -- Specific rooms -- Toys -- Toilet-training equipment -- Playground equipment -- Audiovisual and computer equipment -- Inventory -- Classroom supplies -- Cleaning supplies -- Health and safety standards --8, Kitchen and laundry facilities -- Kitchen -- Ventilation -- Food and beverage supplies -- Good nutrition and mealtime behavior -- Laundry -- Design and equipment -- Buying used equipment -- 9. Office equipment -- Telecommunications -- Office supplies -- 10. Transportation services -- Driver requirements -- Vehicle requirements -- Training -- General policies -- Setting prices -- Hiring and keeping drivers -- 11. Parent relationships -- Parental involvement -- Keeping parents informed -- Communication tips -- 12. Marketing -- Direct mail -- Grand opening -- Media kits -- Referrals -- Discounts -- Your logo -- Your sign -- Going online -- Social media marketing -- 13. Staffing -- When to hire -- Positions -- Evaluating applicants -- Caregiver characteristics and qualifications -- Background checks -- Temporary employees -- Employee benefits -- High cost of turnover -- Personnel files -- Child-to-staff ratios -- 14. Facility maintenance -- Building maintenance -- Exterior maintenance -- Equipment maintenance -- 15. When things go wrong -- Security -- Preventing and dealing with injuries -- Evacuation plans -- Suspect abuse -- Bicycle safety -- Reacting to a crisis -- 16. 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 that you do -- Keep a professional distance -- Be prepared for the bad days -- Enjoy the rewards -- Appendix : 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 -- Glossary