Has Anyone Started a Day Care? HELP ME! I'm Lost! Daycare mumbo jumbo

Hi! I have a small daycare of my own. I have 5 children. I'm not sure how it is in TX, I live in Indiana. But here you can have an in home daycare without a license or being registered as long as you don't have more than 6 children. Not including your own. I'm getting ready to become licensed and all I have to do is take a few classes like CPR, parenting, etc. I've never heard that you have to have college experience. But again, I'm in Indiana, so it might be different. I'm not sure what being registered means. Sorry. I never took my daughter to an actual Daycare, like Kindercare. I had always taken her to a home. I just feel more comforable that way, because one person usually won't have 20 kids running around. So I knew a few people who had already done that so I just got advise from them. Then I called up to other daycares for prices and I charge just a little more than half of that. The parents are really nice and each parent brings lunch and snacks once a week, so I'm not out a whole lot. I too, have my one day or two. Once you get a good mix of kids it's a whole lot of fun! Good luck to you and feel free to ask if you have any questions!

Check your phone book for the nearest Child Care Resource and Referral Agency-it's a national network that works with child care providers and has all the info you need to get set up and going. They'll know about the rules in Texas and what you need to get licensed. In some areas, they call themselves 4Cs (Community Child Care something-or-other), so check that acronym in the phone book if you don't see CCR&R. Good luck! I think quality child care is needed around the country.

In New York State, the JCEO (Joint Economic Counsel on Economic Whatever the O stands for-etc) helps out. They give you a copy of the state laws and regulations. They give you an application. They do a home inspection. They help by having a borrowing/sign out of toys and educational materials. They help with partial funding for lunches. They can provide a class or one-on-one assistance. You need to find out what organization in Texas helps out with starting up a daycare. They may do some of the above or different things. But that is where you start. If you were in NY State and living down the road from me, that is where I would send you, to my local JCEO. I only know this because I was helping student who graduated from High School to decide what to do with their lives. Also, our Community College has some child care courses and can point people in the correct direction. Your Chamber of Commerse or Small Business bureau may be able to point you in the correct direction for your state. I looked at all the paperwork for my students and called JCEO. I said this is unreal. They said they help each person by walking them through it and they were sent to state training to be able to assist people. You need to find out what organization helps people in Texas. Start there and thismay help you. Take care