Starting an In-Home Daycare

Starting an In-Home Daycare

Be a Home Daycare Provider or Nanny.

If you enjoy working with children and enjoy spending time caring for them, and if you have your own children who you want to be able to care for at home as well, working in daycare or as a nanny in your home can be a great fit. Depending on the number of children you want to care for, there are generally state and local regulations that must be followed, so do your research ahead of time.

  • Do you like children?
  • Can you see yourself caring for more kids than just your own?
  • Do you have space in your home for extra kids, as well as extra supplies and toys?

If you answered yes to all of these, then you may be a good candidate for running an in-home daycare. A home daycare can be an excellent business opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs who enjoy working with children. When compared to other businesses, operating from home has lower startup costs and risks, while the opportunity for monetary and emotional rewards is greater.

As a stay at home parent who spends all day with your kids, making the jump to work at home parent running a daycare could be a natural step.

However, it isn’t a job for everyone. It requires tons of patience, and enough room in the home for the kids to play freely. But if you have the right credentials, it is a job that could easily bring in some much needed extra money. Here are 4 steps to take to start your own in-home daycare.

1. Find out your state’s requirements.

Start by checking with your local daycare licensing agency. They will be able to provide you with the correct paperwork and regulations so that you can obtain your daycare license. Keep in mind that not all states will require you to hold a license; some just need you to be registered as a daycare. The requirement may also vary depending on how many kids you plan on caring for. You can check for your state’s requirements on the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education official website.

By licensing your home daycare, parents will know that your program meets all of the government’s standards. This will almost certainly qualify you for various funding and professional development opportunities, which can have a great impact on the outcome of your business.

2. Complete your registration.

To obtain your license, you may need to meet these and other requirements:

  • Complete your application
  • Submit any licensing fees
  • Obtain a business license
  • Agree to an in-home visit to verify that your home is safe
  • Complete any necessary changes to the home so that it passes a safety inspection
  • Arrange an inspection with the fire marshall
  • Complete any training or courses that is required by your state, including CPR and First Aid
  • Be up-to-date on your annual physicals
  • Provide a current background check for all your home’s residents

Depending on where you live, you may be able to operate your home daycare with or without a license. Even so, it is in your best interest to have your home daycare licensed.

Consider this from the perspective of a parent: your child is the most valuable thing in the world. Would you feel more at ease sending them to a random person’s house, or would you prefer to send them to a properly licensed child care center?

3. Set up your home.

Once you are approved and have everything in order, you can start setting up your daycare. As a parent, you probably already have a lot of the stuff you will need, especially if you are planning to care for only a few extra children. As for any additional play equipment and supplies, start your search at thrift stores, yard sales and on Craigslist.

  • When you are in charge of a group of children, one of your top priorities should be their safety.
  • The first step is to secure your home. Reduce the possibility of injuries by removing sharp-cornered furniture, covering electrical outlets, securing bookshelves to the wall, and so on.
  • Next, if you haven’t already, get CPR training to be ready for any medical emergencies.
  • It is also a good idea to conduct regular fire drills and have an action plan ready in case of an emergency.

4. Get clients.

To get children enrolled in your home daycare, you must first spread the word. Marketing can be difficult for any new business, but there are some tried and true strategies that often work for daycare providers. A brochure or postcard with information about your daycare can be a great way to communicate everything it has to offer.

You may already know a few parents that are in need or an affordable daycare. But if you don’t, clients are that difficult to find. Ask friends and family if they know anyone looking for a daycare. Ask local schools for referrals. Put up fliers at your neighborhood grocery stores. Advertise your services on Facebook and Craigslist. Contact the movers in your area and ask if they are willing to push your business to families who are new in town.

If you love children, have tons of patience and endless (well, enough) space in your home, then starting an in-home daycare could be the perfect work at home option for you. Use these 4 steps to help you start a daycare that can earn your family an additional income.


Running a home daycare can be a very rewarding experience that also serves a valuable purpose in your community. We’ve broken down the major steps involved in getting up and running in this guide, but there are always more tips to share. Let others know what has helped you run your child care center in the comments!

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