I am a home daycare provider, so I am only speaking for myself here. I started my daycare 10 years ago, after working in a factory for 21 years. I had 10 years experience in quality/safety, and as a deptartment supervisor. At the time I quit my job of 21 years and opened my own daycare, my own kids were 6 and 8 yrs. old. I did not have any formal training, just raising my own children. Most of the centers in my town do not have employees with degrees. It is only a piece of paper. I did go back to college and received a certificate in Office Administration in 2005. I am finishing up my Associates starting this semester.

When I started, I did research, wrote my handbook, bought the necessary supplies needed, which included high chair, pack in play, baby swing, walker, basic toys, activities and such. You don't have to go all out. Purchase a few basic items and you can continue to build on those as your business grows.

I offer a preschool curriculum. I requested the kindergarten packet from our local school and based my curriculum on that. I found all my materials online and at a teachers store in the city.

While I don't know what the rules and regs are where you live, where I live we do not have to have a degree to do childcare. Just the love for children and the desire to teach and nuture them. Remember, a degree ends up being a piece of paper, and because you don't have one doesn't mean you are not qualified.

As far as education, there are some online courses, Penn Foster is one, and I know of others out there, do a Google Search and some should come up. Our local community college offers a 2 yr degree in Early Childhood Education.

Personally, I think you would make more money owning your own home daycare verses working in a center, and you will be your own boss. Also, you may want to start with your own daycare in your home to get the feel for things and see if that is truly the direction you want your career/education to go. Good luck.

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