In Home Babysitting/Childcare - getting started?

[phamy76]

My husband lost his job over 1 1/2 years ago. He's been a stay at home dad to our 10 yr old son and 2 yr old daughter.
But, we need some extra income coming in. He's not been able to find a job and it's getting tight now.

He wants to watch kids before and after school. 6 am-school and school - 5:30 pm.

We've asked all of our friends and neighbors to pass our phone # along to those that might need help since school is only a few weeks away. We've put our name on the list at school (the receptionist keeps a list of families that babysit).

But, how do you get started?

 

[clh2]

Are there any requirements from your state? I would assume that one of them owuld be CPR and first aid certifications, so I would look in to taking those classes.

Then, I would develop a little brochure, that you can forward to people via e-mail, that details what you will be offering, and the costs.

Are you going to offer care on days when there is no school, or what about on days the kids get out early.

Check into if the buses can drop kids off near your house, even if that would not be the normal bus route for the kiddos. (WHere I live, most kids do get bused, very few "walkers" due to the locations of the schools.)

I would also check in to obtaining additional insurance.

Good Luck!

 

[ajk912]

I did it and I just put an ad on craigslist. Check your state, but in mine you can have up to 5 kids without a license. Also, if you want to be on the up and up you should get additional insurance in case the kids get hurt.

 

[TwinsinCA]

Every state is different, but in CA if you watch kids from more than one non-related family you need a license and all that entails. Here both you and your husband would have to be fingerprinted and have a background check. He would have to be CPR certified. The state has to come out to check on your house to make sure it complies with all the safety rules -- all cleaners are locked up, outlets covered, knives out of reach, no alcohol in the fridge. My friend has a trampoline that no kids are allowed to use (even her own) while her center is open. And on and on and on.

My friend took an ad out but almost all of the kids she has in her care are from word of mouth.

 

[indimom]

In Indiana, you can keep five non-related children without a license. After that, you must be licensed and inspected, criminal background checks for all adults in the house, drug testing, CPR and other training mandated.
If you can only keep a limited number of children before and after school, I'm not sure you would bring in enough money to offset the cost of extra insurance and meals (if you provide them as well).
Please don't consider watching children outside the guidelines of your state and without additional insurance. It's not worth the risk if an accident should occur.

If you can and do decide to provide in-home child care, look online for some sample contract forms, medical information forms, drop-off and pick-up release forms, sign in and out sheets, etc. These are important documents to have for both the parents and provider. All expectations should be spelled out in writing, any health concerns or risks, emergency contact numbers, and so on.

Hope this Helps!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would also suggest going to www.irs.gov and order the following publications which will probably help a lot.

334 - Tax Guide for Small Business (For Individuals Who Use Schedule C or C-EZ)
463 - Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses
535 - Business Expenses
551 - Basis of Assets
552 - Recordkeeping for Individuals
560 - Retirement Plans for Small Business (SEP, SIMPLE and Qualified Plans)
583 - Starting a Business and Keeping Records
587 - Business Use of Your Home
946 - How to Depreciate Property

And also, if the time can be spared and at and minimal cost take a first semester Principles of Accounting course at a local Community College. Not necessarily to keep the books, but to get an understanding of what the business is doing.

Note that most small business fail within the first few years not because the owner did not know his subject but because they did not understand the accounting.

Mike (CPA Retired)