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How I Got Started As A Licensed Home Daycare Provider.
When my son was first born, I dreaded the idea of returning to work. I didn’t want someone else raising my baby—especially when he couldn’t tell me if he was being mistreated. Okay, perhaps I was a little paranoid, but when I was growing up the babysitters I had were less than desirable, and I was too afraid to tell my mom what these people were really like. I decided the best way for me to stay home with my son was to watch other people’s children—in my home.

I was an assistant preschool teacher, I volunteered at the church nursery and daycare programs, and I had been babysitting for years. How hard could it really be? Besides, I was great with small children and just knew I could make it work.

How I Became A Daycare Provider
So how did I get started as a home daycare provider? Quite by accident! My sister-in-law asked that I watch her infant child, who just so happened to be a few months older than my son. She agreed to pay me. Somehow, I don’t remember where, I was told that I could qualify for state assistance in providing meals for my sister-in-law’s child as well as my own—if I became state-licensed. So I called the state and asked how to get started.

The first thing I had to do was fill out a state-required application and get fingerprinted on a state-approved form authorizing a criminal background check.

The next thing I had to do was take a state-required daycare provider’s class. Once I took that class, I was given a pamphlet full of information that helped prepare me for running a licensed in-home daycare facility.

Home Safety Inspection Required
I wasn’t quite sure what would be required of a home inspection, but since I had a newborn of my own, I was pretty sure our home met all the “safety requirements.” Wrong! I needed safety gates on the stairs (mind you our stairs consisted of two steps and a locking door at the top of the steps), and I needed a fireplace gate securely anchored to the wall to surround my floor heater.

Once I got those things fixed, I took pictures and sent them to my assigned state representative. She then made an appointment to come back out after I completed my CPR and First Aid certification.

I then signed up with the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org) to become certified in CPR and First Aid. This class was way out of my comfort zone, but a requirement to receive my license. I learned the proper way to care for a child in an emergency situation, and I practiced on life-like dolls. Once certified, I had to send copies of my certification to my state representative.

My state representative came for her follow-up appointment and then handed me a signed letter stating that I was approved to be licensed as an in-home daycare provider. My license arrived in the mail a few weeks later.

Next, I went to what was known as 4 C’s, a state funded program to ensure that I fed the children in my care, proper, nutritious meals. It meant a little more paperwork and an occasional class, but in return, I would receive a set amount of money, per child, per “qualified” meal. I think what I liked most about this program was that it ensured that the children in my care ate properly and that I understood the fundamentals of nutrition.

Time For Clients
At this time, my sister-in-law had found a live-in babysitter/housekeeper, so I was off to find a few clients. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of watching a stranger’s child, but I had done so much work to get licensed by the state that I couldn’t just waste all that time, that money, and those resources.

Since I didn’t want just anyone in my care, I prepared a client package and placed a classified ad in the local paper. While I saw many in-home daycare providers passing out flyers, I found that route of advertising highly unappealing. How could I ask a parent to “TRUST ME” with his/her child in such an informal manner? I certainly wouldn’t hire a babysitter or daycare provider based on a flyer stuck on a telephone pole, laundry mat, bulletin board, or even my doorknob! I did, however, let the church know I was available—as parents often visited the church office looking for referrals.

Once I started receiving calls, I fumbled my way through a few phone interviews and made a few appointments to meet with clients, but they never showed up. Once, I even saw my potential client drive up to the house, look at it, and drive away. It was disheartening to say the least.

After that incident, I decided to warn my “potential” clients. I told them that I lived on a busy street, in a rented house—the paint on the outside was chipping and made the home look a bit rundown. The inside, however, was very nice. I had repainted the house, wallpapered the playroom, shampooed the carpets, had decent furniture, and I had a fenced-in backyard and tons of fun things for their children to do. I also reassured them that I was licensed by the state and had met all their safety measures. Furthermore, I had my CPR and First Aid certifications, credentials, and letters of reference from my previous employers (when I worked in the preschool, and of course, my sister-in-law).

I met with a few parents, gave them the tour, interacted with their children, went over the intro packet, and sent them on their way. To my surprise, they came back with a signed form, and payment up front. My licensed in-home daycare facility had officially begun.

Getting Started
My husband was very supportive and encouraged me by helping with the children on his days off, attending field trips, and taking the kids on walks. To this day, I don’t understand how he ever slept during the day—when he worked night shift! I supposed he was foolishly young and in love.

When preparing my home to meet my business obligations, I shopped at garage sales for strollers and toy boxes. High chairs and swings came from friends and family members—usually “on loan” until I could purchase my own. I didn’t go into debt to start my daycare facility; instead I purchased items as the children in my care grew in numbers and as the money came in...To read more, order the daycare book!