Options to consider when you are thinking about becoming a daycare provider
Daycare is daycare is daycare. NOT! Types of daycare and daycare providers come in a variety of forms, designed to suit both providers' preferences and parent/child needs. As you consider your options, there are two basic classifications to explore first.
The first category is the home-based daycare provider
. Home-based daycare providers designate a specific portion of their homes as space for operating a Daycare Business. People often choose to begin home-based daycare because it is much less expensive to start up because there is no need to lease, customize and furnish a commercial space. In some states, licensing requirements for Home Daycare settings are also less stringent. Also, if you have children of your own, the home setting is easier for them and allows you to supervise children of various ages within one group. Finally, home daycare settings usually have smaller licensed capacity so you can "test drive" being a daycare provider in a smaller setting.
The alternative daycare provider operates in a licensed daycare facility. This type of daycare is provided in a space outside the provider's own that has been specifically developed to suit the needs of the children served. Daycare facilities usually have many more children because you need volume to cover the basic costs of operating a facility-based program. Most states require that children be separated by age group in facility-based programs. Facility-based daycare programs have a greater opportunity to be more profitable based on the opportunity for more children. They are also typically more structured and include more curriculum and special programming.
Within these two daycare types are a host of other daycare provider types. There are daycare providers who supply sick child daycare, a specialized service that provides care for children who are too sick to go to regular daycare but not seriously ill. Sick child care programs are often a part of facility daycare programs.
Another specialized daycare provider supplies supervision after school hours, 2pm to 7pm. This type of daycare can easily be provided in the home setting or as an additional service in the daycare center
setting. (It is too expensive to lease a building that will only be used during those after school hours.)
A growing category of daycare provider supplies care in the evenings, overnight or on weekends. This care is increasingly in demand in two income families and single parent families where parents work unusual shifts. This type of care is also most easily provided in the home setting but can be provided in either setting.
Make your choice about the type of daycare provider you want to be based on your personal preferences, your family's needs, your startup capital and your level of experience.
