How to Be the Best Home Daycare Provider

Deciding to take children into your home for daycare is a huge undertaking. Many things need to be considered in terms of space, safety, and supplies. If you choose to become certified, the requirements are immense. However, even if you do not want to be certified, following certain guidelines will guarantee you offer a safe, comfortable environment for your charges, which will result in happy children, and happy parents. Happy clients are loyal clients, and even after you part ways, they can remain a good reference for future clients. Taking simple action to be your best will be best for your business. I have combed through state regulations and military childcare licensing regulations to find the toughest guidelines, and combined them with my experience to help make your in-home daycare the best available.

Space and amount of clients: The general consensus is that care should not begin before 6 weeks of age, and there should only be one child under the age of 2 months at all times. If all are under 2 years, there should only be 3 children total in care. If it is a multi-age house (ranging from 6 weeks to generally 12 years) there should be no more than 2 children under 2 years, and not any more than 6 children at a time, including the providers own children under the age of 8. If all the children in the house are over the age of 5, up to 8 children is allowable.

Each child-at least those young enough to require naps or rest-needs their own area for sleep or rest that is at least 4 inches off the floor, and has clean sheets that are only used by that one child. Sleeping arrangements for infants need to allow for monitoring the baby.

For play time, there needs to be space for general play, space for relaxation, and easily-cleaned space for art projects-all of which need to be easily supervised. Outside there needs to be room to run and play, obviously, but also some space set aside for children who do not wish to be as active.