Are you thinking of starting a child care program? Families in Central New York need high quality child care! You have the opportunity to help families in the community by becoming a family child care provider or opening a child care center or school-age program. Here are many considerations before beginning the process.

• Reasons to start a child care business: Your reasons for opening a child care program will affect the type of care you provide. This link offers insight into why you might open a child care program.
• Getting started. Gives you an overview of what you need to know so you can decide if running a child care business is a good investment for you.
• Preparing a business plan. Helps you define how much money you will need, how you will earn it, and how you will spend it.
• Preparing a management plan. Helps you plan how you will run your business.
• Training. Helps you plan the training you will need.
• Program planning. Helps you plan the environment and plan for the children's growth and development.
• Resources. Gives you local and national resources that will help you be a successful child care provider.
• Needs assessment: Before you invest money in a child care business, you need to determine if your community needs another child care center or family child care home
• Finding a Location: Before you decide to use your home for a family child care business or commit to a building for a child care center, you will need to look at indoor and outdoor space for health and safety issues. You will also need to check zoning and homeowner association covenants.

Source:

Child Care Aware/Child Care Providers: http://childcareaware.org/child-care-providers