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Getting Started

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

District IV HRDC - Child Care Link can help you determine the level of need in your community. You can estimate community need on your own by checking your local papers. If many providers are advertising openings in their child care center or family child care program, there may be an oversupply of care in your area. If many parents are looking for child care, there may be a shortage of child care in your area. Ask District IV HRDC - Child Care Link for more advice on child care needs in your community.

Community demographics can help you estimate the need for child care in your community. 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. Demographic information may be available from the town or city government, school districts, county health departments and District IV HRDC - Child Care Link maintains a Profile of Community Needs and current supply and demand information that may help you determine the need for care in your area.

For more Local, State, and National information, please visit our Related Links page.

This page last updated on Monday, November 13, 2006
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