|
The day care niche is expanding. The market increases
year by year as many people opt for working at home or running their own
business. Just in the United States, there are 350,000 day care centers
and day care homes licensed and running. The figure doesn't even include
unregistered day care centers which are also rampant in the country.
There are many things to consider when starting a Day Care Center or a
Day Care Home. Just like any business, it needs much planning and many
things to do.
If you are thinking of setting up your own day care business, you should
be aware of the requirements and minimum standards set by the
government. Day care providers have to meet certain requirements before
being able to register and get a license. Day care prerequisites are
endowed by government regulatory agencies to ensure that day care
programs are meeting the standards for child care. Start off by finding
out what the preconditions are for your country or state. You might be
asked to make a notice of intent and a written application stating your
desire to set up a day care center. Make a draft of your own day care
center and check if you can meet the requirements. If you want to offer
the best care program ever, go beyond the standard and aim to exceed the
requirements. This would give you an edge when government agencies come
and visit you one day.
Most likely, government agencies would be checking all or most of the
following:
1. Space capacity.
-This would include floor space and outdoor play space
2. Staffing
-Qualifications of Day care directors, teachers, substitutes, and aides
3. Ages of children to be enrolled
4. Learn and Play programs
5. Food Standards
-Food Sources, Food Storage and Preparation
6. Safety Standards
7. Equipments
- Tables, Chairs, Boards, Lighting, Telephone,
8. Sanitary Facilities
-Water Supply, Toilets and Sinks, Toiletries
9. Transportation
10. Health Standards
Once you meet all the requirements, the government would be willing to
give you the license to run your own day care center or day care home.
However, government inspectors and consultants will continually visit
day care centers to ensure that they are constantly meeting the
standards. Now and then, they would inspect programs and facilities for
compliance of the regulations. Most visits are unannounced. Information
gathered during the visits is documented and are open for the public to
see. Make sure that your day care center gets good reports. Good
Impression equals a very high demand for your center.
Be advised that every country or state has their own requirements or
standards. If you are planning on running your own Day Care Business,
the first step is to find out what the requirements and regulations are
in your specific location.  It
could help to visit your country or state’s National Resource Center for
Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. After you have met
the requirements and given a license to operate as a Day Care provider,
you are on your way to one of the world’s fast expanding industry.
|
|
