I would like to start keeping children in my home in the near future. I checked with my state dept. and I can have up to 5 children counting my own 2-year-old without having to be licensed. Even though I worked as a first grade teacher assistant for many years, and did some childcare for friends, I am new to daycare. Is it a good idea to get the Daycare Starter Kit I have read about? Also, I'm thinking ahead here, what about parent payment, will they be able to use their dc expences at the end of the year on taxes since I won't be licensed and have an ID#? Any information would be very appreciated!

Thanks!
Alyssyn

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I do not know what starter kit you are talking (apparently I did not have one when I started) Just do your research as to what will make your job easier - have some sort of a system & policy in place before accepting new families.

As for your taxes & the clients taxes- Yes you need to claim all the income. Just because you do are not licenced does not mean that you or they do not need to claim the money. Most parents are going to want to claim the money the spend on childcare at the end of the yr. They do not pay much at the time the services are rendered but it does add up quickly. Alot of providers use their SS# at tax time.

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I don't know anything about the Daycare Starter Kit, but I used Shari Steelsmith's "How to Start a Home-Based Daycare Business" when I was just starting out. Check your library as they may have that one or some similar titles. Later I found The Creative Curriculum for Family Child Care and The Creative Curriculum for Preschool (since I switched to 2-5 year olds only) by Diane Dodge and those have been very helpful to me as well.

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Thanks! You've both been very helpful!

Alyssyn

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I would not use your SSN though. You don't want that getting into the wrong hands. You can get a EIN through the gov't website without being licensed.

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You may be speaking of the Starter Kit we have on the frontpage of Daycare.com: https://www.daycare.com/starting_a_daycare/index.html

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Where do you exactly go to get a ein #?

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https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp

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Yes, that is the starter kit I am referring to. Do you think it would be helpful since I am new at this? Also, I will definately be checking into the EIN#.
Thanks to each of you, you've been most helpful! I'm sure I'll have more future questions later on.

Again thanks!
Alyssyn

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I wouldn't get the daycare starter kit. You can get all of the forms and info you need from other providers, etc. I'd be happy to send you a copy of my contract and parent handbook if you'd like. You can change it to meet your specific needs. You need to decide what your hours will be, your holidays that you will close, vacation policies, like are you going to charge for them or not and how long they will be, sick child policies, etc. I have all of that in my handbook. Also, decide what type of program you are going to offer. Childcare for all age groups, just infant/toddler, just preschool, school-age, etc. Decide if you are going to offer a curriculum and if you are, what that curriculum will be. You also need to set up your environment to be conducive to meeting the needs of the children you enroll. Do you have a dedicated play space for the children only, or will they be using the entire home and you'll move stuff in and out, etc. You'll need to child proof and should take a pediatric cpr/first aid course.

Here are a few websites that can help you get started....

http://www.childaction.org
http://www.nafcc.org
http://www.naeyc.org
http://www.buildingchildcare.org
http://www.highreach.com (excellent curriculum for fcc)

Okay those are few to get you started, keep in mind some are in Calif. (not sure where you are located) but still aplly to child care in general

If you'd like my handbook, PM me your email addy and I'll send it to you.

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THanks so much gbcc

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Your welcome!!

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I love books! I don't know anything about the Daycare Starter Kit, but I do think both online research and reading books about home daycare are helpful. Look at other providers contracts and parent handbooks for ideas as well. That helped me a lot.

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Thank you everyone! At least now I have some idea where to start!

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