Part 1: Is FCC a Good Fit and Where Do I Start the Process?
Providing early childhood education and care in your home is an important job that many find to be a good fit for themselves and their family. Family Child Care can be a sustainable small business and a fulfilling career choice.
You need a business plan, an awareness of the support services available to you and an understanding of the regulations you need to meet on the state and local level. You must apply for a license to operate your family child care. Meaning you have to comply with the FCC Licensing Rule currently governing family child care programs.
Part 1 provides information on applying for your license, looking at policies and building your Care Agreement. FCCAM’s “Business Toolkit” provides you with information that covers the building of a “Care Agreement”.
Part 2: Business Plan
A simple business plan will help you think through what you want in your program, rather than only what you can afford. Your business plan will show that your business will generate enough revenue to cover your expenses and make a satisfactory return (your salary), develop your marketing strategy and help set long-term goals.
Don’t let the idea of a business plan scare you. It’s really just looking at questions that pertain to what you hope your business to be and honestly answering them.
Part 3: Equipment
Every family child care is unique and thus it’s impossible to say “Here get this….” or even “You need this….”. Deciding what equipment works for your program and space; what is really necessary; and what can be put on the future purchase list – is only a decision that you can make.
Being informed about the types of equipment that have continually shown their value in meeting the developmental needs of children will support your decision making and might surprise you with how easy it is to provide a nurturing, developmentally responsive environment for the children you are looking to provide care for.
Tom Copeland produced a series of videos that summarize the key aspects of what it means to run a family child care business for the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance. Each stand alone video is no longer than 15 minutes and closed captioned. View in any order or pick just the one or two you have questions about.
Top Three Record Keeping Tips for Family Child Care Providers
What Are the Two Most Important Terms to Include in a Contract?
Is Your Home, Business and Vehicle Properly Insured?
What is the Best Business Structure for a Family Child Care Provider?
How Do Providers Pay Themselves?
How to Find and Choose a Tax Preparer
When is the Best Time to Start Claiming Social Security Benefits?
fccamaine.com 