Getting Started in Family Child Care

Some things to think about before starting a Family Child Care Home:

• Would you enjoy spending a lot of time caring for young children?
• Would you enjoy communicating with parents about their children's growth and development?
• Is your home suitable (e.g., absence of lead paint) for a family child care home?
• Does your home have sufficient space to allow you to care for young children? (Space is needed for projects and activities, indoor and outdoor active play, meals, naptime, and a sanitary diapering area.)
• Do you have outdoor play space (enclosed yard or fenced public park within easy walking distance)?
• Will your family be supportive of your running a family child care program in your home?
• If you have children of your own, will they adapt well to sharing their home with other children for a significant amount of time during the week?
• Can you keep track of the business details of running a family child care home?

Determining Need

We can help you determine the level of need in your community. You can estimate community need on your own by checking your local papers for the number of advertised openings from other child care providers. Conversely, if many parents are looking for child care, there may be a shortage of care in your area.

Community demographics, available from the town or city government, can help you estimate the need for child care. If there are many families with young children, and/or a high birth rate, you can expect that many parents may be seeking child care in the near future.