Family Child Care Providers

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Family Child

Care Providers

Child Care Aware

of America

Provider Resources

Version 1.0

This content was originally created by Child Care Aware

1 Family Child Care Provider Resources

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There are many things to

consider when starting

a new family child care

business.

Read through these

resources to help you think through the

steps you need to take to operate a

successful child care program.

Table of Contents

02 Family Child Care

03 Opening a Family

Child Care Home

34 Operating a Successful

Family Child Care Home

54 Training Essentials

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Family Child Care

A family child care

home is a place

where a small group of children are cared

for in a residential setting for a fee. Often

this type of care and education is oered

in your home and may oer non-traditional

hours. Most states require family child

care homes to be regulated or licensed.

Regulations vary from state to state,

and your local Child Care Resource and

Referral (CCR&R) agency can help you

understand the requirements in your state.

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Opening a Child Care Program

Are you interested in opening a child

care business? This section will help you

learn more about what you need to do to

start a child care business.

There are dierent resources for you to

complete to help you build your business

plan throughout these sections. These

resources are meant to help you think

through important questions. Your local

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency and your local licensing agency can

help you understand the speciﬁc rules and

regulations you need to follow to operate

a quality program. They will be important

resources for you as you begin your child

care business.

Before you begin your new career path,

ﬁnd out if child care is the right choice for

you to help you evaluate why you want to

start a child care business. It will help you

think through some important considerations

before you open a family child care home.

In this section:

04 Are You Ready to Open a

Child Care Business?

06 Complete a

Needs Assessment

12 Learn about Licensing and

Background Checks

16 Research Legal, Tax, and

Insurance Considerations

19 Prepare a Budget

21 Find a Location

25 Develop Policies

and Procedures

28 Hire Sta

29 Market Your Program

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Personal Considerations

Opening a family child care business can impact your entire family. Think through these considerations

as you complete the checklist below.

Ye s No Unsure

Do you have a passion for helping children and their parents?

Do you enjoy being with young children and have the patience to care for them for many

hours each day?

Do you have the necessary education and training requirements for a family child care

provider in your state?

Are you able to get along with multiple types of parents and children, even if their parenting

style or culture is dierent than yours?

Do you have the physical and emotional strength to run a family child care business?

If you have children or other people in your life that need you during child care hours

of operation, have you identiﬁed someone to care for them if they become sick or need

something?

Do you have a positive attitude, even when things don’t go your way?

Does your family support your decision?

If your children are old enough, have you talked to them about the possibility of a family child

care business in your home?

If you are considering using your home as the family child care business, have you thought

about which areas of your home you would use?

If you use your own home and have children of your own, will your children have their own

space separate from the child care program when needed?

Resource: Are You Ready to Start a Child Care Business?

This checklist is meant to help you think about the reasons why you want to open a family child care

business and if it is the right choice for you and your family. There are both personal and professional

considerations for you to think about as you start your journey.

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Ye s No Unsure

If you use your own home and have your own children, do you have a space where your

children’s belongings, such as special toys and equipment can be stored away from the toys

that belong to the child care?

Professional Considerations

Ye s No Unsure

Are you a self-starter?

Do you have knowledge and previous experience to run a family child care business?

Do you know where to go to for training or help in running your child care business?

Are you comfortable working with licensing requirements and government regulations

pertaining to child care?

Do you have the time to learn the skills you need or are you willing to hire people with

dierent skill sets that you need to have a successful family child care business?

Are you able to plan and organize well? Think about having multiple children in your home all

day and how you would plan for them.

Are you comfortable with the potential legal, professional, and personal risks associated with

starting a new business?

Have you undertaken similar responsibilities that have demonstrated that you have the drive

and determination needed to make your business successful?

Do you have access to funds you may need to start your business?

Are you aware of the required amount of business and professional liability insurance you

need for your business?

Next Steps:

If you checked “Yes” to all the items, you are probably ready to continue exploring the next steps in starting your family child

care business!

If you checked “No” or “Not Sure” to some of the items, reach out to your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency for help.

Are You Ready to Open a Child Care Business continued

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Understanding the community need for

child care is critical for your business to be

successful. Use this needs assessment to

get started and call your local Child Care

Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for

help in answering some of these questions.

This is an important ﬁrst step in building your

business plan.

Complete a Needs Assessment

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Name of Local Child Care and Resource Referral Agency:

Contact Person:

Phone Number:

Email:

Many of the questions in this resource can be answered by your local CCR&R. Have this checklist handy

when you contact them and ﬁll in answers or comments as you speak with a representative.

Resource: Family Child Care Needs Assessment

As you continue to explore opening a family child care business, take the time to do a complete and

thorough needs assessment. This is a critical step in determining whether your community needs your

services. One of the reasons that business owners of all types fail is because they have not considered

the needs of their consumers.

There are three parts to the Needs Assessment. First, you need to have data on what type of child care

currently is being oered in your community. Second, you will want to understand more about families

that you might serve through your family child care business. Finally, you will want to know what other

providers in your area charge for child care. This will help you build your budget.

You may need help completing your needs assessment. Your local Child Care Resource and Referral

agency (CCR&R) will be able to help you with much of this information. Your ﬁrst step will be to learn

which CCR&R agency serves your area.

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Part 1: Current Child Care Landscape

Question Answer/Comment

Who else is providing child care in your area?

Ask your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency about the number of providers in your area.

Number of family child care homes:

Number of licensed child care centers:

Number of school-based providers:

Other:

Who are your main competitors?

In the geographic area of where you want to open your business,

who provides child care services? Think about churches, local

YMCAs, and schools as well as traditional child care providers.

Is there a child care need for a speciﬁc age group?

Think about the current providers in the area and what age

groups they are serving. Ask your local Child Care Resource

and Referral agency if there is a need for infant/toddler care

or other age groups.

Infants (birth-12 months):

Toddlers (1-2 years):

Preschool (3 years):

Pre-K (4-5 years old):

Before/after care for school-age children:

Is there a need for child care during a speciﬁc

time of the day?

Think about whether you might provide care during non-

traditional hours, before/after school care to school-age

children, or children enrolled in part-time pre-k programs.

Is the need for child care in your area likely to change in

the next 5-10 years? Why?

Think about whether there are local companies that are

expanding or closing, whether your local schools may be

providing child care services, or other factors that could

inﬂuence the need.

Family Child Care Needs Assessment continued

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Family Child Care Needs Assessment continued

Part 2: Family Demographics

Question Answer/Comment

How many families with young children live in your area?

Consider families with children birth-5 years, as well as families

with school-age children if you want to serve that age group.

How many of the families with young children in your

area will need child care?

Ask your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency for

current statistics on the number of families that may need care.

Where do local parents work? What are typical

working hours?

Think about the parents that might use your program. Some

businesses, such as hospitals, factories, emergency services, etc.,

are open in non-traditional hours. Or, some parents may work for

organizations that have more typical work hours. You will want to

think about parent needs in designing your program.

How long is the typical commute?

Do parents live in suburban areas and commute to a more urban

area for work? Are you in a rural area where commute times may

be longer? You will need to think about these things as you think

about your hours of operation.

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Family Child Care Needs Assessment continued

Part 3: Determine Costs

Question Answer/Comment

What are the typical fees (the market rate)

for child care in your area?

Check with your local Child Care Resource and

Referral (CCR&R) agency for this information.

Licensed family child care rate:

Infants: $ /week

Toddlers: $ /week

Preschool: $ /week

Pre-K: $ /week

School-age: $ /week

Licensed child care center rate:

Infants: $ /week

Toddlers: $ /week

Preschool: $ /week

Pre-K: $ /week

School-age: $ /week

Other:

Do parents in your area typically get help (subsidies) to

pay for child care?

Ye s

Will your program be eligible to accept subsidies?

Yes

What would your program need in order to be

eligible to accept subsidies?

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Family Child Care Needs Assessment continued

Question Answer/Comment

Based on the number of children you plan to enroll, what

is your per child cost?

Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency for help in calculating this information.

Infants: $ /week

Toddlers: $ /week

Preschool: $ /week

Pre-K: $ /week

School-age: $ /week

What fees do you need to charge parents to have a

proﬁtable program? Can parents in your area aord the

fees?

Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency for help in calculating this information.

Infants: $ /week

Toddlers: $ /week

Preschool: $ /week

Pre-K: $ /week

School-age: $ /week

How much will it cost you to start a new child care

business? How much will it cost you to operate on an

ongoing basis?

Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency for help in calculating this information or use the

Provider Cost of Quality Calculator.

Will you need to hire sta? What will you pay the sta?

Will you be able to oer any beneﬁts?

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What is a child care license?

A child care license allows you to legally operate your

child care program. To get a license, you must meet the

minimum health, safety, and program standards set by your

state. Child care licensing regulations vary by state. Contact

your state licensing agency or your local Child Care

Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for information on

your state’s licensing requirements.

What does a child care license cover?

There are a variety of standards covered by a child

care license. Although states will vary, most cover the

following topics:

• The maximum number of children allowed in the setting

(group size), and the minimum number of adults required for

a speciﬁc number of children (adult-child ratio), depending on

the age of the children

• Health and safety standards on immunizations, handwashing,

diapering, administering medication, reporting accidents and

illnesses, safe sleep procedures, playground safety,

and emergency preparedness plans

• Nutrition and food preparation

• Fire and safety drills

• Record keeping

• Minimum education requirements and ongoing

training for providers

• Family engagement

How do I become a licensed family

child care provider?

Each state has a dierent process for becoming

licensed. Contact your local Child Care Resource and

Referral (CCR&R) agency or your local or state child care

licensing oce by visiting our State by State Resource Map

for information on your state’s licensing requirements. Use

this resource when talking to your local CCR&R agency to

help you understand your state’s licensing regulations.

Most states will require an application, background

checks, licensing and ﬁre inspections, and certain training

hours to be completed before a license is issued. Some

programs may be exempt from licensing, depending on

the type of program, where and when it operates, and the

number of children in care.

What type of background

checks do I need?

New federal law requires states to conduct criminal

background checks on all child care employees that work at

a licensed, license-exempt, regulated, and registered child

care provider. In addition, all adults living in the family child

care home need to have a background check. Your local

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency can

update you on where your state is with implementation of

this new law.

Use this resource when talking to your local CCR&R

agency to help you understand the steps you need to follow

to obtain a background check.

Learn about Licensing and Background Checks

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Question Response Comment

Do I need to have a license in order

to open a family child care home?

Ye s

If I choose not to become

licensed, have I contacted my local

Child Care Resource and Referral

(CCR&R) agency to help me

provide quality care?

Ye s

Is there a fee to get licensed,

and if so, how much?

Ye s

Does my program have to be

inspected?

Who conducts the inspections and

how frequently do they occur?

Yes

How many children can I care

for at one time?

Infants:

Toddlers:

Preschool:

Pre-K:

School-age:

Resource: Licensing and Background Checks

Check with your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency or your local or state child care

licensing oce by visiting our State by State Resource Map for information on your state’s licensing and

background check requirements. Every state has dierent licensing requirements and your local CCR&R can

help you learn about the regulations for family child care homes in your state. Over the next several years,

new federal law will require states to conduct criminal background checks on all child care employees that

work at a licensed, license-exempt, regulated, and registered child care provider.

Use this checklist to ask questions of your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency or your

state licensing consultant to help you think through the steps you will need to take to become a licensed

family child care provider and to obtain a background check.

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Question Response Comment

Do I need to get a

background check?

How much does it cost?

How often will I need to

do a background check?

Yes

Cost: $

Will the other people who live

in my home need to have a

background check?

How often will people who live

in my home need to have a

background check?

Yes

Do I need a degree or special

certiﬁcation to operate a family

child care home in my state?

Ye s

Licensing and Background Checks continued

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Question Response Comment

What type of training do I need to

open up a family child care home?

Who oers the training? What costs

are associated with the trainings?

What ongoing training will

I need to do?

Required initial trainings:

Health and Safety

Food/Nutrition

Inclusive Child Care

Other:

Required ongoing trainings:

If I have sta, what training

requirements will they need?

What type of equipment and

supplies do I need?

Licensing and Background Checks continued

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Choose a Legal Structure

Decide on the legal structure of your business. You may

need legal advice to decide how to set up your business.

Some local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agencies may provide training or information to help you

understand these business practices.

Here are some ways in which you can structure your

child care business:

• Sole proprietorship. You own an unicorporated business

by yourself.

• Incorporation. Your business is set up so shareholders

exchange money, property or both for the corporation’s

capital stock. This structure protects your personal assets.

• Partnership. You join with one or more partners to own your

child care business. All partners share the business proﬁts

and losses.

• Tax-exempt organization. With this structure, your company

doesn’t pay taxes; any money left over after you pay

expenses must be returned to the operation of your program.

To claim this status, you must meet Internal Revenue Service

(IRS) eligibility requirements.

Taxes

As a small business, you will need to ﬁle business

income tax information with local, state, and federal

agencies unless your business is tax-exempt. Taxes

should be a part of any budget for a child care business.

You may want to consult with a tax professional, such as

an accountant or a lawyer that specializes in business

practices, to help you.

Family child care providers can take advantage

of tax beneﬁts and employment beneﬁts such as:

• Home business tax write-os to oset expenses

• Direct expenses such as food, toys, equipment,

and insurance that are 100% tax deductible

• Indirect expenses such as real estate taxes,

mortgage interest, rent, utilities, etc.

Purchase Insurance

Insurance requirements will vary by state. Contact your

local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency or

your state child care licensing oce for information on the

type of insurance required in your state.

Insurance protects you when emergencies or natural

disasters occur. Find out if your family child care is prepared

for disasters.

There are other types of insurance that you will want

to investigate, even if they are not required by your state’s

licensing regulations. Read about them below, and use this

resource when thinking about your insurance needs.

Business Owner’s Insurance generally is a

combination of liability and property insurance.

Buying the package is usually less expensive than

buying two separate policies.

• General Liability Insurance covers

bodily injury or property damage that occurs

during the course or because

of your business.

• Property Insurance covers all of the business

equipment inside and outside

of your program.

Professional Liability Insurance insures you and

your sta for losses due to your negligence while

performing your business. Coverage for sexual

abuse and molestation is generally included in

professional liability insurance, but verify this with

your insurance agent. Sexual or physical abuse

coverage insures you for loss if one or your

employees or others with access to children in

your program abuses a child in your care.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance is required in

many states. This insurance pays beneﬁts when an

employee is injured while working.

Research Legal, Tax, and Insurance Considerations

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Legal Considerations

Ye s No Comments

Have you consulted a lawyer to help set up the legal

structure of your business?

Have you decided on a business structure?

Sole proprietor (self-employed)

Partnership

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Corporation

Do you have knowledge and previous experience to run a

child care business?

Do you know where to go to for training or help in running

your child care business?

Are you comfortable working with licensing requirements

and government regulations pertaining to child care?

Do you have the time to learn the skills you need or are

you willing to hire people with dierent skill sets that you

need to have a successful child care business?

Resource: Legal and Insurance Considerations

Starting a business will require you to think about legal and insurance issues to make sure you are

covered in case of an accident or injury. Your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency

or your local or state child care licensing oce will be able to help you think through some of these

considerations. Also, you may want to consult a lawyer and a tax professional before you start your

family child care business.

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Insurance Considerations

Ye s No Comments

Have you obtained at least two quotes from insurance

agents that represent dierent insurance companies

for comparison?

Have you talked to your state licensing agency or

your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency to

understand what insurance coverage you might need?

Have you checked to see if your existing home-owner’s

policy will cover you after you start your business?

Have you purchased business liability insurance, which

should include general liability and property insurance?

Have you purchased professional liability insurance and

does this insurance cover you if one of your employees or

others with access to the children in your program abused

a child in your care?

If you are providing transportation, have you purchased

commercial automobile coverage?

If you have employees, have you purchased worker’s

compensation insurance?

Legal and Insurance Considerations continued

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Preparing a budget gives you a picture of

whether your projected income from your business

will cover your expected expenses. You will need

to think about how many children you plan to serve,

tuition fees, stang costs, start-up costs such as

application fees, equipment, materials, marketing,

and other items you may need to purchase before

your child care is even open.

Use these budgeting worksheets to help you

think through how much cash you expect to come

into your business compared to the amount of

cash you expect to spend. Your business plan will

help you deﬁne how much money you will need

to start your business. You may be eligible for

loans or grants to get you started.

Explore Funding Opportunities

Check with your local Child Care Resource and Referral

(CCR&R) agency for ideas on possible funding opportunities

to open or to help sustain your family child care business.

The most common federal sources of funding for child

care include:

• The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a food

reimbursement program that allows qualiﬁed child care

providers to be reimbursed for a portion of their child care

food costs.

• Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federally

funded grant to states to support child care subsidies.

The State by State Resources can connect you to your

local program.

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) oers a wide

variety of information on loans, grants, and other funding

opportunities for small businesses.

Prepare a Budget

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Resource: Budget Tool

Click here for an interactive budgeting tool that includes additional ﬁelds such as a budget builder for next year.

Business Name:

Revenue and Support

Revenue

Child Care Fees:

Parents Pay $

Child Care Assistance Program $

Food Subsidy Program $

Registration Fees (per child) $

Activity Fees (per child) $

Support

Foundation and Corporate Grants $

United Way $

Activity Fees (per child) $

Other

Events and Fundraising $

Interest $

All Other $

TOTAL INCOME $

Current Year

Fiscal Year Ending:

Expenses

Personnel

Payroll $

Payroll Taxes $

Health Beneﬁts $

Other Beneﬁts $

SUBTOTAL PERSONNEL $

All other expenses

Food (per week per child) $

Transportation $

Child Care Supplies (per week per child) $

Oce Supplies $

Utilities $

Marketing and Promotions $

Insurance: Business/Liability/Real Estate $

Accounting/Legal $

Repairs/Maintenance $

Printing $

Postage $

Rent or Mortgage Interest $

Dues and Subscriptions $

Training/Education - Sta $

Taxes/Licenses $

Depreciation $

Miscellaneous $

TOTAL EXPENSES $

NET SURPLUS (DEFICIT) $

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Check Restrictive Covenants

Housing developers can include restrictive covenants

in deeds and homeowners’ association agreements.

These covenants may limit business activity in homes in

the community. Your homeowners’ association will have

information on any restrictions. If you rent your property,

check with the property owner or your community’s

homeowners’ association about any rules.

If covenants do not allow businesses, you cannot

open a business unless you get an exception. This

is true even if a child care program meets all state

licensing requirements.

Evaluate the Space

Once you’ve found the perfect location, you need to

evaluate the space surrounding your location to make

sure it is suitable for child care. Even if you are planning

to use your own home, you will need to meet your state’s

licensing requirements and health and safety standards.

Each state has dierent regulations, so check with your

local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency

and your state licensing agency for more information.

Find a Location

Once you have determined there is a need

for family child care in your area, you are

ready to think about ﬁnding a location for your

child care business. Check with your state

licensing oce to learn more about the speciﬁc

requirements for family child care homes in

your area. Some states require you to live in

the home in which you provide care.

Before you open your home to children,

or buy or rent a home for your family child

care business, check your local zoning laws

and covenants.

Check Zoning Laws

Zoning laws may limit small businesses in your

community. They can set restrictions and charge fees

for permits for the businesses they do allow. Local

governments pass zoning laws to make sure businesses

ﬁt in the local community and can be used to keep most

business activities out of residential areas. These laws

may aect where you can locate your child care business.

If zoning laws do not allow businesses, you

cannot open a business unless you get a variance (an

exception to the law). This is true even if a child care

program meets all state licensing requirements.

Check with the local government in your area or call

your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency to ﬁnd out about zoning regulations.

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Resource: Finding a Location

Choosing the location of your family child care business is a big step. Check with your state licensing oce to

learn more about the speciﬁc requirements in your area before you start your search for a location for your family

child care home business. Some states may require you to live in the home in which you provide care.

Check local zoning laws and restrictive covenants to make sure you are able to open a business in your own

home or before you purchase or rent a home for a family child care business. Some states or local governments

may also require family child care homes to have a business license. If you need help with ﬁnding this information,

contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency.

Ye s No

I have completed the needs assessment and identiﬁed the best location for my family child care

business based on the most recent data available to me.

I checked with my state licensing oce and asked whether there are any requirements of owners to

live in the family child care home.

I checked local zoning laws to make sure I can open a business in this area.

I checked neighborhood covenants to make sure I can open a business in this area.

I checked with my state licensing oce or my local Child Care Resource and Referral agency to see

if I need a business license to operate a family child care home in my area.

If I am renting a home, I checked with the homeowner and with the rental or lease agreement to

make sure that I can operate a family child care business in the rental property.

If you have not checked “yes” to the above questions, please take the time to ﬁnd out the state licensing requirements for

family child care homes, zoning laws, and restrictive covenants before you go any further.

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Resource: Evaluate Your Space

The following questions can be used as a guide to help you think about the space you’re considering for your

family child care home. Check with your state licensing agency and your local Child Care Resource & Referral

(CCR&R) agency regarding speciﬁc requirements for your state. Those requirements are the ones you need to

follow. You should be able to answer “yes” to the questions below.

Structural Questions

Ye s No

Have you reviewed your state’s licensing requirements regarding structural requirements needed to

operate a family child care home in your state?

Have you checked with your state licensing agency to make sure you can legally operate the child

care program on the level of the home you wish to operate? (Some states may have restrictions on

whether the child care can be located on an upper or lower level of a home.)

Are there at least two exits on your ground ﬂoor that lead to the outside?

Are locks on bathroom or bedroom doors inaccessible to children? Can you open the lock quickly

from the outside?

Is there a bathroom located on the ﬂoor where you’ll care for the children?

If you have a working ﬁreplace or wood stove, is it safely screened and out of children’s reach?

Physical Space

Ye s No

Have you reviewed your state’s licensing requirements to learn about the indoor and outdoor space

requirements that are required for family child care homes?

Review your state’s child care licensing requirements to learn how many square feet are required

per child indoors and outdoors. Does your space meet these requirements?

Is there enough space for each child to move freely?

Will you have a space for each child’s personal belongings?

Can you maintain adequate air ﬂow and comfortable room temperature?

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Ye s No

Are you able to keep your hot water heater at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit so that children

are safe from scalding?

Is the physical layout arranged so that caregivers can view all areas at all times?

Will you have places for children to play, rest, and eat?

Is there room for storage of cleaning supplies, sta belongings and additional items where they are

not accessible to children?

Do you have a safe outdoor play space in your backyard, or is there a playground nearby that you

will be allowed to use? Check with your state’s licensing agency to determine what constitutes an

outdoor play area for family child care homes.

Is the surface under outdoor play equipment soft and free from dangerous objects to prevent injury?

Is there a fence or natural barrier around your outdoor play space?

If you have a swimming pool, is there a locked fence around it that meets the height required by

your state?

Have you checked the area surrounding your family child care program for other potential water

safety hazards (lakes, ponds, creeks, fountains, etc.) and consulted your state licensing agency

regarding safety protocols?

Health and Safety

Ye s No

If you have an older home (built before 1975), has your home been tested for lead, asbestos, or other

toxic materials? (Your community health department or child care licensing agency can refer you to

experts who can take samples of paint and other materials for testing.)

Have air quality or pollution issues in and around the family child care home been addressed?

Have you been in contact with your local ﬁre station or other state ﬁre ocials to learn about local

ﬁre safety rules?

Have you reviewed the Americans with Disabilities Act to make sure you understand how to plan an

accessible design?

Evaluate Your Space continued

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It is important to write down the policies and procedures you will follow in your family child care business and share them

with families. It is also important to make sure your policies and procedures reﬂect the Code of Ethical Conduct for the early

childhood ﬁeld.

Your policies and procedures will address a number of important topics and will help keep your business running smoothly.

Many states require you to provide your written policies to families. Check with your state licensing agency or your local Child

Care Resource and Referral agency to ﬁnd out what your policies should include.

Family Handbook

The family handbook outlines your program’s policies

and procedures and includes other important information

for families. Encourage families to read the handbook and

ask questions.

Family handbooks often include the following topics:

• Mission and philosophy of your program

• Description of your program, including your operating

hours and the ages of children you serve. When

developing your operating hours, think about the typical

work schedule of the families in your program and your

own family schedule and commitments

• Information on whether your program is part of your

state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) or

natially accredited

• Information on when tuition payments are due

and your policy regarding late payments

• Description of the curriculum and daily schedule

for children

• Description of family involvement activities

• Required forms for families to complete such as the

registration form, health forms, medication administration

forms, emergency contact information, and ﬁeld trip

permission forms

• Information on policies regarding communication with

families, guidance and discipline, drop-o and pick-

up procedures, emergency closings, fee and payment

arrangements, food and nutrition, program closings, and

transportation policies

• Description of your disaster and emergency plans -

this manual from the National Center on Early Childhood

Health and Wellness can help you develop your plan.

Develop Policies and Procedures

Sta Handbook

The sta handbook outlines the expectations you

have for your employees. If you want the handbook

to be a binding agreement between you and your

employee(s), make sure you review it with each sta

member. Consider having them sign a document

stating they read and understand the contents.

The following topics are often included in

sta handbooks:

• Mission and philosophy of your program

• Beneﬁts and pay scale

• Job descriptions, evaluation procedures,

and hiring and termination policies

• Information on child abuse prevention, identiﬁcation,

and requirements for reporting

• Child behavior and guidance policies

• Health and safety procedures

• Family communication and involvement

• Professional development requirements

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Resource: Sta Handbook Template

Use this outline as you are developing your sta handbook. Below are some items that are typically included.

Welcome & Introduction

• Welcome letter

• History of your child care business

• Mission

• Values

Employment Practices

• Equal opportunity

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) &

reasonable accommodations

• Commitment to diversity

• Harassment and complaint procedure

• Consensual relationships

Conﬂict of Interest Policy

Conﬁdentiality Policy

Personal Conduct and Performance

• Collaboration

• Performance management

• Whistle-blowing protection

• Child abuse reporting

Employment Relationship

• Employment classiﬁcation

• Work week and hours of work

• Time records

• Overtime

• Compensation

• Payroll deductions and garnishments

• Access to personnel ﬁles

• Promotions

• Professional development

• Employment of relatives

• Separation from employment

Workplace Safety

• Drug-free workplace

• Smoke-free workplace

• Background screenings

• Workplace violence prevention

• Commitment to health and safety

• Emergency procedures

Workplace Guidelines

• Attendance

• Outside employment

• Dress and grooming

• Acceptable social media use

• Computers, internet, email

and other resources

Time O and Leaves of Absence

• Holidays

• Paid time o

• Family & medical leave

• Military leave

• Bereavement leave

• Jury duty / court appearance

• Worker’s compensation

Employee Beneﬁts

• Medical, dental, vision insurance

• Group life insurance

• Health savings account

• Flexible spending account

• Retirement plan

• Short /long term disability

• Consolidate Omnibus Budget

Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

• Tuition reimbursement

• Child care discount

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Resource: Family Handbook Template

Use this outline as you are developing your Family Handbook. Below are some items that are typically included.

Welcome

General Information

• Contact information / chain of

command

• Mission statement and philosophy

• Hours of operation

• Attendance policy

• Holiday closure schedule

Curriculum Approach

Registration and Fees

• Enrollment policy

• Enrollment procedure

• Fee policies and procedures

• Activity/special program fees

• Late tuition fees and late pick-up

fees policy

• Returned checks

• Absence and vacation time

• Sibling discount

Daily Activities and Routines

• Daily schedule

• Special program activities

• Nap time schedule / policy

• Weather policy

• Spare clothing

Emergency Preparedness

• Fire drills

• Tornado drills

• Emergency evacuation procedures

• Emergency medical procedures

• Utility interruption

Health, Safety, and Nutrition

• Preventative care

• Immunization records

• Physical examinations

• Illness

• Contagious illness/Exclusion from child

care

• Medication policy

• Nutrition / Child and Adult Care Food

Program (CACFP) participation

• Sample menus

• Food allergies/special food issues

• Child abuse

• Safety/security of center

General Policy Information

• Termination of services

Family Involvement

• Open door policy

• Parent-teacher conferences

• Communication

• Family resources

• Family workshops and meetings /

family advisory council

• Volunteers

Parent Forms

• Parent agreement and

acknowledgment of receipt of

family handbook

• Publicity release form (to use photos

of children in promotional material)

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Most states have requirements regarding

minimum education and experience

qualiﬁcations for child care providers and ratio

requirements. It is important to contact your

local Child Care and Resource Referral (CCR&R)

agency or your local licensing agency to

understand the minimum qualiﬁcations needed

to be a child care provider.

Provider Qualiﬁcations

Because requirements vary state by state, check with

your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency or your

state licensing agency for minimum qualiﬁcations for child

care sta. Generally, these requirements for sta include:

• Minimum age, usually 18 years

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Initial and ongoing training

Provider Training Options

You may want to earn additional qualiﬁcations in order

to prepare yourself to work with children. Child Care

Aware® of America recommends all family child care

providers and sta have at least 40 hours of initial training,

including CPR, ﬁrst aid and other basic safety and health

training, and training on child development; and 24 hours

of annual training. Check out trainings provided through

your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency and

local universities if you are interested in or need additional

training hours.

You may also want to think about earning a degree or

credential in the early childhood ﬁeld. One option is the

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The CDA is

a nationally accepted early childhood credential awarded

by the Council for Professional Recognition. There are

dierent options to earn your credential, including taking

classes with an instructor or online. Child Care Aware® of

America oers an online version of the CDA credential in

both English and Spanish.

Stang Needs and Ratios

The minimum number of sta you need depends on the

ages and number of children in your program.

Your state licensing regulations will have very speciﬁc

requirements on:

• Sta-to-child ratios, or the number of sta needed for a

speciﬁc number of children

• Group size, which is the maximum number of children allowed

in the group

• The number of usable square feet in your home, which

dictates how many children you can serve

Best practice recommendations for ratios and group size

for a small family child care home (one caregiver present):

• No more than two children under the age of 2 present at one

time.

• If there are two children under 2 years old present, no other

children can be enrolled.

• If there is one child under the age of 2 present, there may be

up to three children ages 2 and older enrolled.

• If there are no children under the age of 2 present, there may

be up to six children ages 2 and older enrolled.

Even if you are not planning to hire sta for your family

child care business, there may be times where you are

unable to provide care to the children if you are ill, have

a family emergency, or are on vacation. You will need a

qualiﬁed substitute provider to come to your home or a

qualiﬁed backup provider home where parents can bring

their children.

Check with your local Child Care Resource and Referral

(CCR&R) agency and your state licensing agency to learn

more about speciﬁc ratio and group size requirements in

your state.

Hire Sta

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Developing a marketing plan will help you

think about why families should choose your

program over other child care providers in your

community. It also gives your program a sense of

identity or brand. Contact your local Child Care

Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for help

in creating your marketing plan. Many CCR&Rs

oer trainings speciﬁcally on this topic.

Know Your Mission

Think about what makes your program unique and

how it can meet the needs of children and families. What

beneﬁts beyond the hours of operation and the ages of

children you plan to serve will you oer to families? Think

about how your program will meet the needs of children

and families.

Understand the Child Care Market

Use the ﬁndings from your needs assessment to help

you answer questions about the need for family child care

in your area, which age groups need care, and where

parents live and work.

Know Your Competitors

It’s important to know who else is providing family child

care services in your area. If possible, visit other child care

programs to get a sense of what they oer to children

and families. Use this resource to help you compare the

programs in your area.

Target Your Audience

Consider all the ways you can reach parents in your

community. Think about where parents are likely to look for

information, and reach out to other businesses to get the

word out about your program. Also think about what type

of families would beneﬁt most from your program. Ask your

local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for

help in reaching your target audience.

Market Your Program

Develop Strategies

Think about the dierent strategies you can use to

attract parents to your program. You may want to create

a logo or a sign in front of your child care business for

prospective parents, develop a social media presence, and

distribute brochures/ﬂyers about your program. Whatever

strategies you develop, think about the

budget you may need for each strategy.

Set Objectives

Implementing your marketing plan is a big step, but

you also need to evaluate your plan to know what types of

strategies work for you.

Create the Plan

Your marketing plan should highlight the unique aspects

of your program, including your strategies to attract families

to your program and your marketing budget. You should

market your program whether you are just opening or if you

have been open for years.

Opening a Family Child Care Program continued

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Resource: Marketing Plan Template

1. Program Mission: Think about your program’s unique identity.

What makes your child care business special or unique?

How are you dierent from other child care programs in your

community? Your program mission should be 2-3 sentences

long. Write your program’s mission statement, keeping it to

2-3 sentences.

2. Market Analysis: What are the demographics of the families in

the area where you want to open your child care business? Is

there a need for another child care program because of shifting

demographics or new employers moving into the area? What is

the need for your program in your area? Use information from

the needs assessment to help you complete this.

3. Competitors: What other child care programs are in the same

area as your program? You may want to look at dierent types

of child care programs, such as licensed child care centers,

other family child care homes, YMCA programs, and other

types of child care programs in your community. When you

have an idea of the dierent types of programs in your area,

you may be better able to deﬁne your program’s strengths,

weaknesses, and opportunities for growth.

4. Target Your Audience: What other audiences do you want to

reach? Is your program located near a major employer? What

type of families do you want to attract to your program? Are you

interested in serving children who are dual language learners or

children with special needs?

5. Develop Strategies: Do you have a logo to identify your

program to prospective parents? What are some speciﬁc

strategies you will use to draw parents to your program? Will

you use social media or will you need printed materials? What

speciﬁc steps do you need to take and how much money

will it cost to implement your marketing strategies? Use the

marketing strategies and budget to help you think through

these steps.

6. Set Objectives: How will you know if your marketing plan is

successful? Set benchmarks for your marketing objectives so

you know what types of marketing strategies work for you.

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Resource: Marketing Strategies and Budget - Sample

Marketing Strategy Person Responsible Start Date-End Date Budget

Call my local Child Care Resource and Referral

agency and ask about how they can help me market

my program

January 15

Develop a logo

Graphic Designer

January 30

$250

Find someone to help me with social media so I can

reach more parents

February 15

$250

Make a flyer that lists the benefits of my program

and distribute to local libraries and major employers

in the area

March 1 -

March 30

$250

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Resource: Marketing Strategies and Timeline

Action Step Person Responsible Start Date-End Date Budget

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Resource: Competitor Analysis

My Business Competitor #1 Competitor #2 Competitor #3

Program Name

Street Address

Website Address

Days and Hours of Operation

Tuition

Infants:

Toddlers:

Preschool:

Pre-k:

School aged:

Appearance: (Are the space

and materials/toys clean and well

maintained? Do you see any

health or safety hazards?)

Equipment and Toys: (Are there age

appropriate outdoor and indoor toys?)

Child Interactions: (Do the providers

interact well with the children?)

Adult Interactions: (Is sta helpful

and friendly to other parents?)

Environment: (Does the program

have an age-appropriate schedule with

time for structured learning activities,

playtime, and quiet time?)

Parent Involvement: (What does the

program do to involve parents?)

Notes: (What aspects of this program

that you observed make it unique?)

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Operating a Successful Child Care Program

Once you open your family child care

business, you will want to ensure that your

program structure and practices provide a

high-quality learning experience for children.

Your local Child Care Resource and Referral

(CCR&R) agency can help improve the

quality of your program through training,

coaching, and connecting you to additional

resources and supports.

Strengthening your program structure

provides the foundation for your family

child care business to be successful. In this

section, you will learn about programs and

practices that can strengthen the overall

structure of your family child care program.

Strengthening your program practices will

address the curriculum, materials, resources,

and daily interactions you and your sta have

with the children and families in your care.

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Program Structure

QRIS and National Accreditation

Some states have a Quality Rating and Improvement

System (QRIS). Child care programs earn ratings when they

meet certain quality standards. Programs earn higher ratings

as they meet more quality standards. In some states, QRIS is

mandatory for licensed child care providers or for programs

that receive state subsidies. Learn more about your state’s

QRIS by clicking on the State by State Resource Map.

Some child care programs earn higher ratings by

becoming accredited by a national accrediting body.

Achieving accreditation is a voluntary process for child care

providers. Programs that choose to become accredited

have to show they meet requirements above and beyond

state licensing requirements. The main accrediting body

for family child care homes is the National Association for

Family Child Care (NAFCC).

Health and Nutrition Practices

There are a number of things you can do to help

children receive healthy and nutritious food throughout the

day and instill quality health practices in your family child

care program. The Child and Adult Care Food Program

(CACFP) is a federal program that helps qualiﬁed child care

providers aord healthy and nutritious meals and snacks.

CACFP reimburses providers for a portion of the costs for

meals and snacks that meet CACFP nutrition standards.

Reimbursement is tied to the income status of the families in

your program.

In addition to CACFP, there are other health and nutrition

practices that you will want to implement. High-quality

family child care programs include practices such as special

infant and toddler feeding practices, proper handwashing,

diapering and toileting procedures, and record keeping.

These health and nutrition practices and others may be

required by your state licensing agency.

Supervision and Safety Practices

Supervision and safety practices are some of the most

important features of your program. Not only do these

practices keep children safe, they help you provide higher

quality care. Many of these practices may be required by

your state licensing agency. Family child care programs

need to be properly staed so children are actively

supervised at all times. Sta are more likely to engage in

warm and responsive interactions with children when the

program is properly staed.

Stang Practices

It’s important to have the adequate number of sta for

your family child care program. Just as important, your

sta should have a background in early education and

experience working with young children. Use the resource

below to think through the type of training and education

you and your sta need to operate a high-quality child care

program. Keep in mind that some stang practices may be

required by your state licensing agency.

Child Care Policies and Procedures

Written policies and procedures will help you

communicate your expectations to families. These

policies will help you if questions arise about how your

family child care business operates. Some of these

policies and procedures may be required by your state

licensing agency.

Operating a Successful Child Care Program continued

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QRIS and National Accreditation

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

My family child care program is licensed.

My state has a Quality Rating and Improvement System

(QRIS) and I am enrolled and working on achieving

higher levels of quality.

I have researched what I need to do to become

nationally accredited.

Resource: Family Child Care Program Structure

A successful family child care home depends on a number of factors. Putting practices and resources

into place to strengthen your program structure is one way to increase your chances of success. The

topics below can help you think about how to do this in your program.

Health and Nutrition

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I have researched the Child and Adult Care

Food Program (CACFP).

I have enrolled in CACFP.

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

If I did not enroll in the CACFP, the food I serve children

meets nutritional standards.

I have a plan in place if a child has food allergies or

dietary restrictions.

I have records proving that the children enrolled are up to

date on all of the required immunizations.

Handwashing is a regular part of the program’s practices

for both the providers and children, especially before

eating and after using the bathroom.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

Health and Nutrition for Infants and Toddlers Ye s No Ways to increase quality

The place where diapers are changed is clean.

Caregivers always keep a hand on the child

while diapering.

Caregivers remove the soiled diaper without dirtying any

surface not already in contact with stool or urine.

Caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after ﬁnishing

the changing process. Hands are scrubbed with soap

and warm running water for at least 20 seconds and then

rinsed and dried. The water faucet is turned o with a

paper towel.

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Health and Nutrition for Infants and Toddlers Ye s No Ways to increase quality

Infants are fed on demand.

Breastmilk is stored appropriately.

There is a place where mothers can comfortably

breastfeed their child.

New foods are introduced to toddlers appropriately.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

Safety and Supervision Questions

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I follow best practices regarding ratio and group size.

Best practice recommendations for a small family child

care home (one caregiver present):

• No more than 2 children under the age of 2 present

at one time

• If there are 2 children under 2 years old present,

there are no more children enrolled.

• If there is 1 child under the age of 2 present, there

may be 1-3 children ages 2 and older enrolled.

• If there are 0 children under the age of 2 present,

there may be 1-6 children ages 2 and older enrolled.

I follow the state licensing standards for ratio and

group size. Check with your state licensing agency for

this information.

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Family Child Care Program Structure continued

Supervision of Children Ye s No Ways to increase quality

Children are supervised at all times, both indoors and

outdoors, even when they are sleeping.

All providers have completed comprehensive

background checks.

All providers have been trained on how to prevent,

recognize, and report signs of child abuse.

Safe Sleep Practices for Infants and Toddlers Ye s No Ways to increase quality

Infants are put to sleep on their backs.

The infant sleep spaces consist of a ﬁrm sleep surface,

such as a mattress in a crib, covered by a ﬁtted sheet with

no other bedding.

The infant sleep spaces are kept free of soft objects, toys,

crib bumpers, and loose bedding.

All child care sta, volunteers, and substitutes are trained

on safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant

Death Syndrome (SIDS).

All infants have their own designated sleep space that is

the same every day.

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Safe Sleep Practices for Infants and Toddlers Ye s No Ways to increase quality

During rest time, sta can see and hear infants and

toddlers at all times.

Sta regularly checks on infants and toddlers when they

are sleeping.

Safe sleep infant practices are posted in the infant sleeping

area as a reminder to all sta, volunteers, and substitutes.

When infants can roll over, there is a sign posted by their

bed indicating that the child can roll.

Safety Ye s No Ways to increase quality

The indoor and outdoor environment is clear of safety

hazards, such as cleaning supplies and tripping hazards.

The family child care home been inspected for radon, lead,

and asbestos.

Toys are clean, safe, and within reach of children.

If my program provides transportation, it is safe and

reliable. All drivers are licensed and insured and children

are properly restrained in the appropriate car safety seat

that is appropriate for their weight and age.

There are clear check-in and check-out procedures.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

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Safety for Infants and Toddlers Ye s No Ways to increase quality

Caregivers are trained in infant CPR and their

certiﬁcation is current.

Infants and toddlers are within sight and sound at all times.

Outlets are covered/protected.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

Emergency Plans and Drills Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I have a plan in place in case of a disaster, like a ﬁre,

tornado, ﬂood, blizzard, earthquake or active shooter.

I practice drills once every month.

I have an emergency plan in case a child is injured,

sick, or lost.

I have information about who to contact in an emergency.

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First Aid and Medication Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I have been trained on CPR and First Aid and my

certiﬁcations are current.

I have ﬁrst aid kits.

All medications are kept out of the reach of children.

I have been trained and the medications are labeled to

make sure the right child receives the right amount of

medication.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

Sta Qualiﬁcations

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related ﬁeld.

I have worked in child care for at least one year.

I plan lessons and experiences for the children that help

them learn and grow.

I understand what children need to learn and grow.

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I have additional sta that works with the children.

The additional sta have a bachelor’s degree or credentials

in a child-related ﬁeld.

I participate in ongoing training or continuing

education programs.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

Child Care Policies and Procedures

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I provide a written contract before families enroll their child

in my program.

I provide a copy of the parent handbook prior

to enrollment.

I clearly outline the cost of care, ﬁeld trip or special

program fees, and any other fees.

I have a policy regarding drop-o and pick-up times,

including who can pick up children. I charge late

pick-up fees.

I have a policy for times when I may close, such as

for certain holidays, inclement weather, or in case

of emergencies.

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I have a policy regarding when children should stay home

because of illness.

I have a policy regarding termination of a parent’s child

care agreement.

I have a written policy for when I am allowed to

give medications.

I have a written supervision policy or plan that ensures

children are supervised at all times.

I provide a written guidance and discipline policy

to families.

Family Child Care Program Structure continued

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Program Practices

Developmentally

Appropriate Practice

When designing your family child care program,

you will want to incorporate practices that are

developmentally appropriate for the children in your

care. Developmentally appropriate practices (DAP)

means that you are using knowledge about how

children learn and grow to design an appropriate

learning environment and experiences for them. Your

local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency

can help you with training and resources to incorporate

these practices into your child care program.

Curriculum

Your curriculum is your plan or roadmap of what

you want to teach and how to teach the children in

your care the skills they need to be prepared for

kindergarten. Although there are a number of dierent

curricula available on the market for you to purchase,

make sure it includes a focus on each domain of

development. Use this resource to help you think about

choosing a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Family Engagement

Families are a key element in all child care

programs. When you build meaningful relationships

with families, it shows you are a partner in their child’s

development. Your local Child Care Resource and

Referral (CCR&R) agency can help you develop and

design family engagement opportunities for the families

in your child care program.

Caregiver-Child Interactions

One of the most important features of your child

care program will be how you and your sta interact

with the children in your care. Use the resource below

to think about how to increase the quality of interactions

with children.

Indoor Environment

A high-quality indoor learning environment for

children includes a number of dierent learning centers

and experiences for children of varying ages and abilities.

You will want to think through the dierent kinds of learning

centers/experiences you want for children, where to locate

those centers within your home, and the room layout

and design.

Your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

agency can help you design a quality learning environment.

Outdoor Environment

Many factors go into designing a high-quality outdoor

environment and learning experiences for children. Your

family child care program will need suitable outdoor

equipment that is the right size and type for the children

you serve. There should be plenty of space for children to

move about and explore and breathe in fresh air. There also

are a number of safety factors to consider as you design

your quality outdoor learning environment, including your

drop-o and pick-up locations. Many of these factors may

be required by your state licensing agency.

Operating a Successful Child Care Program, continued

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Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I am knowledgeable about typical ages and stages of

children’s development.

I take the time to observe children in their play and

develop learning opportunities that may interest them.

I plan age appropriate learning experiences for children.

I plan learning experiences that meet each child’s

developmental needs.

I plan learning experiences that are culturally and

linguistically appropriate for children and that reﬂect

their family and community.

I plan for small group activities with children.

Resource: Family Child Care Program Practices

You can take steps towards providing a high quality early care and education environment for the

children in your program. Putting thought and care into the following areas of your program can help

you to enhance your program quality.

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I provide opportunities for children to choose whom they

work and play with.

I help guide children’s learning experiences by providing

support to them when they need assistance.

Family Child Care Program Practices continued

Curriculum

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

My program uses a written curriculum that is based in

theories of child development.

The curriculum my program uses addresses all major

domains of development including:

Language/literacy

Mathematics

Science

Social studies

Social emotional development

Physical growth and development

Motor development (gross and ﬁne motor)

Approaches to learning

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

The curriculum my program uses helps me think

about how to teach children dierent skills in each

of the major domains.

The curriculum my program uses has speciﬁc learning

goals for children.

The curriculum my program uses has well-designed

learning activities.

The curriculum my program uses emphasizes observing

children’s learning as a way of ongoing assessment.

The curriculum my program uses allows for me to

individualize instruction.

The curriculum my program uses has a parent

engagement component.

The curriculum my program uses can be adapted to use

with children with special needs.

The curriculum my program uses is culturally and

linguistically responsive to the families my program serves.

Family Child Care Program Practices continued

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Family Partnership

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

I share and talk to families about their child’s daily

activities, either at drop-o or pick-up.

My program incorporates technology as a communication

tool and I share information with families on how to access

it and how the information is kept secured.

Families are encouraged to visit at any time.

There are multiple ways for families to be involved in

the program and parent ideas are incorporated into

the program.

There are regular opportunities (at least twice per year)

where families can meet with the sta and share their

child’s strengths and hear how their child is

developing skills.

Sta often share observations and ongoing assessment

information with families.

Sta work to incorporate the family’s culture and values

into the classroom.

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Caregiver-Child Interactions

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

Children are comforted when needed through hugs, pats

on the back, high ﬁves, and other forms of aection.

Each child is warmly greeted when they arrive.

I consistently talk with children and seem genuinely

interested in what the children are doing.

I routinely have one on one back-and-forth conversations

with each child every day.

I routinely get down on children’s level and speak

with them.

I am proactive and not reactive to children’s behavior.

I encourage peer interactions with children who are of

dierent ages and abilities. If I have infants enrolled in my

program, they routinely have an opportunity to interact

with the older children.

Family Child Care Program Practices continued

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Indoor Environment

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

There is enough room in the environment for children and

providers to move around.

There are dierent areas for resting, quiet play,

and active play.

Materials are well-organized and on low shelves so

children can reach them by themselves.

I provide the following interest centers:

Book area

Block play

Sensory table (e.g., sand/water)

Fine motor area

Dramatic play

Arts and crafts area

Musical toys

Writing area

Large muscle activity area

Space for children to relax quietly, away from the

activity of the rest of the children

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

There are enough toys and learning materials for the

number of children enrolled in the program.

I change out the classroom materials based on

interests of the children.

I limit the use of TV, computers, or other types of

technology with the children.

The environment is reasonably clean.

Family Child Care Program Practices continued

Outdoor Environment

Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

The drop-o and pick-up location is located in an area

away from the playground and where children do not

have access.

There is a space for outdoor play.

The outdoor play area is easily accessible.

The outdoor play area is fenced in.

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Indicator Ye s No Ways to increase quality

Pools and other water features (fountains, rivers, streams,

etc.) are not accessible to children at any time without

adult supervision.

The fence does not have any sharp edges or points. There

are no openings between 3 ½ and 9 inches.

The outdoor play area is regularly inspected.

The outdoor area is clean and free from trash.

The equipment is the right size and type for the age of

children who use it.

There are bicycles, balls, hoops, and other toys available

for children to use.

I sometimes set up centers such as art, nature/science,

books, and other centers outdoors for the children.

Children are taken outside on a regular basis.

Children are actively supervised while outdoors.

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Training and Education Essentials

All child care providers need training and

education in order to learn new information

to help keep children healthy and safe.

Ongoing training and education can also

help child care providers learn and practice

new teaching skills and can give providers

ideas and resources on how to provide

quality child care.

Required and Ongoing

Training Essentials

Each state will have dierent training requirements

for child care providers. Generally, certain health and

safety topics such as CPR, First Aid, and safe sleep may

be required. In addition to the required trainings, ongoing

training helps reinforce best practices and helps you learn

new information and skills. Check with your local Child Care

Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for a list of required

and ongoing training topics. Child Care Aware® of America’s

Training Academy also provides training topics.

Some trainings may be more in-depth, oered over a

period of time, and may award certiﬁcates or a credential

upon successful completion. Check to see if these trainings

oer continuing education units (CEUs) for a fee. This might

help you earn credits towards a college degree. Your local

CCR&R can help you ﬁnd these types of trainings that can

help you earn a higher educational degree.

Education Essentials

Each state will have dierent educational requirements

for child care providers. Continuing your education can help

you provide quality child care and is an important hallmark

of high quality programs. Dierent quality improvement

initiatives, such as accreditation and state Quality Rating

and Improvement Systems (QRIS) require higher levels of

education in order to achieve accreditation or higher levels

on the QRIS.

There are dierent ways you can continue your

education in the early childhood ﬁeld. Contact your local

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency to

learn more about dierent programs in your area that can

help you earn your Child Development Associate (CDA)

credential, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in early

childhood education.

Child Care Aware® of America’s Training Academy oers

an online CDA credential in both English and Spanish. Your

local colleges and universities will also have information

on earning your associate or bachelor’s degree in early

childhood education.