Rev. edition of: Start your own child-care service.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction. How do they start? -- Who's running the centers? -- Who is your market? -- Before 9 and after 5 -- First things first -- Buying an existing child-care service -- Evaluating a company -- Outlook for the future -- Services and policies. Services -- Policies -- Confidentiality and access to records -- Fees -- Hours of operation -- Holidays -- Vacations -- Absences -- Transportation -- Chronic misbehavior and other adjustment issues -- Care of sick children -- Late pickup -- Meals -- Emergencies -- Health issues -- Smoking, alcohol, and drugs -- Release of children -- Cell phones -- Other policies -- Admission procedures -- Safety standards and policies -- Children with special needs -- Administering medication -- Running your child-care business. Children's records -- Incident reports -- Management records -- Purchasing and inventory -- Are you on a mission? -- Programs -- Accreditation for family child-care centers -- Are you on a mission? -- Structuring your business. Naming your company -- Choosing a legal structure -- Licenses and permits -- Trademark and copyright issues -- Insurance -- Accident insurance -- Liability insurance -- Professional advisors -- Create your own advisory board -- Startup economics and financial management. Startup costs: how much do you need? -- Building banking relationships -- Setting prices -- Labor and materials -- Hourly or weekly? -- Increasing your revenue -- Forms of payment -- Collection procedures -- Keeping records: start right, stay right -- Getting free supplies and services -- Locating and setting up. Choosing a commercial location -- Improving an existing facility -- Indoor space and equipment -- Playground and outdoor areas -- Walkways, stairs, and railings -- Health, safety, and sanitation practices -- Setting up a homebased center -- Childproofing your home -- Pets -- Furnishing and equipping your center. Specific rooms -- Lobby/reception area -- Office -- Classrooms -- Choosing the right toys -- Toilet-training equipment -- Playground equipment -- Audiovisual and computer equipment -- Inventory -- Classroom supplies -- Cleaning supplies -- Health and safety standards.

Kitchen and laundry facilites. Kitchen -- Ventilation -- Food and beverage supplies -- Good nutrition and mealtime behavior -- Laundry -- Design and equipment -- Buying used equipment -- Office equipment -- Telecommunications -- Keep your customers out of voice-mail jail -- Office supplies -- Transportation services. Driver requirements -- Vehicle requirements -- Training -- General policies -- Children will be children -- Starting a transportation service -- Setting prices -- Hiring and keeping drivers -- Before the first ride -- Parent relationships. Encouraging parental involvement -- Keeping parents informed -- Helping parents understand your bond with their children -- If you have a problem -- When a parent has a problem -- When parents are chronically late -- Communication tips -- Marketing. Direct mail -- Make your grand opening truly grand -- Plan ahead -- Media kits that get results -- Referrals are essential -- The deal on discounts -- Your logo -- Your sign -- Going online -- Staffing. When to hire -- Deciding what you need -- Where to look for candidates -- Positions -- Evaluating applicants -- Caregiver characteristics and qualifications -- Background checks -- Once they're on board -- Temporary employees -- Employee benefits -- The high cost of turnover -- Maintain adequate personnel files -- Child-to-staff ratios -- Facility maintenance. Building maintenance -- Exterior maintenance -- Equipment maintenance -- When things go wrong. Security -- Preventing and dealing with injuries -- Evacuation plans -- When you suspect abuse -- Bicycle safety -- Reacting to a crisis -- Tales from the trenches. Invest in yourself -- Reach out to the community for enrichment -- Find out how you're doing -- Differentiate your service -- Earn and demand respect -- Get commitments from your customers -- Follow up on everything you do -- Keep a professional distance -- Be prepared for the bad days -- Enjoy the rewards -- Child-care service resources. Associations and online resources -- Books and publications -- Consultants and other experts -- Credit card services -- Equipment and supplies -- Government agencies and related resources -- Successful child-care and transportation service providers.