Home Hot Topics Articles Directors' Choice Awards About Us / Contact Us Activities & Curriculum Activities for Outcome-Based Learning Arts & Crafts Music for Learning Recommended Reading Sharing Boards: What Do YOU Think? NEWSlink Current National News Conference Calendar Topics In Early Childhood Education Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education Job Sharing Board State Licensing Requirements Stay Connected! Each month we'll send you an email filled with articles and ideas for your classroom. Subscribe Now Date: 7/27/2004 4:49:00 PM Author: Owner FCC Home and Preschool (jsadams@) Subject: Need help? Hi Blare, Have you made any progress opening your Home Child Care? I can help point you in the right direction… Check with your state department of social services community care licensing first; they can connect you with your local resource and referral for childcare and answer any questions regarding child care licensing in your state. Each R&R; has access to the regional market rates for child care services in your area, (In central California I charge $25 per day for toddlers and $22 per day for preschoolers, which is barely over my local regional market rates.) This should help you set your prices, but do not forget to be successful you will need to have enough equipment, supplies, and safe space (this costs money up front). Check into food reimbursement programs too; here in California we are reimbursed for some of our food expenses if we follow certain nutritional and health & safety guidelines etc. You are wise to have a clearly defined contract and parent handbook including your child care philosophy, health and safety practices, attendance, clothing, paid vacation days and sick day policies. In California, FCC providers can receive ten paid national holidays per year for children who are on subsidized care. The holidays are usually the same days parent's are off from work anyway, so I have it in my contract that these are my paid days off too – otherwise I do not get paid for time off – like my own sick days. I recommend you join NAFCC; they will help you stay abreast of child care issues that will affect your business income. They have an accreditation program specifically for Family Child Care programs and lots of other resources for providers. Family Child Care is rewarding but not easy; long hours, troubled families, lack of respect for you as a professional, lack of privacy in your own home, increased incidence of illness in your home, and folks who skip out on paying, are just a few of the challenges you will face. The cooperation and unconditional support of your family is essential. Best of luck – I love what I do, hope you will too! Any other questions? Name: Email: Subject

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