There is a definite need for day care centres as more and more mothers of pre-school age children are forced to find jobs outside the home. This is due in part to the current economy, and unfortunately, to the high divorce rate, which means mothers who might ordinarily stay at home and care for their own children must seek income to help make ends meet. About one third of childcare workers are self-employed, most of whom provided childcare in their homes. Here are the most important factors to consider when starting your own business.
Are you suitable to open you own day care?
Operating a day care business requires more than just loving children and knowing how to care for them. Have a look at some of the qualities a good day care entrepreneur should possess.
• As a day care caregiver, you will be spending a lot of time nurturing and caring for children. The first and most important trait is that you must possess is a love for children. You need to possess great patience, towards not only the children but their parents as well. A day care caregiver understands that it will take time to reassure the parents to trust you completely with their children.
• To be a responsible day care caregiver, you must be certified in First Aid CPR, just in case of any accidents.
• You demonstrate your commitment to the day care profession by constantly seeking to upgrade your knowledge in childcare and early childhood.
• You must be prepared for long hours as a typical day care usually operates from 7.30am till around 5.30pm and sometimes there are last minute requests to extend beyond your day care operating hours are inevitable as the parents might need to work late.
• You are sociable and are able to get along with children and parents of diverse backgrounds.
• You understand children and are sensitive to their needs. Children can get frustrated easily as they are not yet able to verbalize their feelings effectively. The day care caregiver should be experienced and sensitive enough to pick up cues on their moods and feelings.
• You have to be nurturing. A day care caregiver must genuinely care for their well-being and development and work towards building their independence and self esteem.
• You must be fun loving and creative as day care caregivers will need to organize fun activities to help in the physical, emotional, intellectual and social growth of the children.
• You must possess good business acumen to ensure that your day care business remains sustainable and/or profitable. You also understand that there will be no paid vacations and medical and dental benefits.
• You need to be well organized. A day care caregiver is also required to keep track of class attendance sheets, personal notation for children, billing records, crucial client profiles, child reports and cash flow reports and the only way to ensure accuracy of all these paperwork is organized.
Meeting Government Regulations
Department of Social Development demands that all places of care must be registered. In order to classify for registration the following minimum requirements must be met: