Home Based Business Child Care Center

This home based business focuses on the home based child care center.

With the increase of married women working outside the home, along with the single, working mothers, the demand for quality child care continues to increase. This can be a profitable home based business if you love children.

The choices for parents have usually been the large for profit care centers or nonprofit centers in churches and similar institutions. Recently, the number of "child family care centers" or home based child care centers has increased. Home based child care centers offer more personal care.

You care for children who have not entered formal school and also may care for older children in before-and-after school programs. The child care worker plays an important role in the child's development. You attend to a child's basic needs, organize actitivies to stimulate their physical, emotional, and intellectual growth, and help them learn to get along with others.

You will need to be licensed by your local/state agencies. Check for their requirements. You may also need to take CPR classes and a course in child development.

You will want to set up policies and procedures for your home based business and contract with your clients.

You will need to purchase furniture and other equipment suitable for education and play activities and rest for young children.

You should decide on what area you wish to specialize in your home based child care center: infants, toddlers, pre-school, before-or-after school programs. The equipment and supplies you need will be dependent on the age group.

What does it take for this business?

You will need a license from your state and adhere to local zoning laws. Some states require courses in CPR and childhood education.

As a child care service provider you need patience and creativity. You should be able to nurture, motivate, and teach children. You should have good leadership and organizational skills. You also need a lot of energy to keep up with children.

What do I need to operate this business?

You will need to obtain a license and insurance. Check with your state agency. You should set up a separate space for your home based office.

Costs will be incurred for office equipment and supplies, advertising, educational materials, play equipment and basic supplies.

Basic Equipment and Supplies:

• Computer
• Contact Management Software
• Business telephone/Answersing machine/Voice mail
• printer
• Fax
• Cellular phone/Pager
• Furniture
• Cribs
• High chairs
• Changing Table
• Playpens
• First Aid Kit
• Art and Craft Supplies
• Educational materials
• Videos/DVDs
• Games
• Books
• Fenced, outside play area

You can review resources for this home based business here.

What services do I provide?

A home based business child care service provides the basic needs of a child for its age group and activities that are educational and stimulate physical and emotional growth.

What are my potential earnings?

$25,000 to $50,000 annually

How much do I charge for my services?

Child care rates vary across the country and vary according to the age of the child. Fees range from as low as $40 per child per week to $80 per child per week. Check with local providers in your area or local agencies to determine fees.

How do I bill for my services?

Your clients pay you directly by cash or check. You give them a receipt.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• List your home based business in the Yellow Pages.
• Issue a press release to your local/community newspapers.
• Purchase classified ads in your local/community newspapers.
• Get listed with a family referral agency.
• Place flyers on supermarket bulletin boards.
• Contact businesses in your area and leave flyers.
• Contact pediatricians and other child health care facilities and leave flyers.
• Offer discounts for sign-ups and referrals.

Online

• Create an informative Web site, listing your services.
• List your home based business Web site in online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related businesses.
• Link your Web site to local Web sites in your community.
• Publish client testimonials on your Web site.

If you love children and love being around them, this may be a good home based business opportunity for you. You may review resources for this home based business here.