The Beginning Stages
Start-up checklist
As you complete your startup efforts, use this checklist (and tailor it to your own needs) to make sure you’ve covered all your bases before you open your doors.
- Type of centre: Will you operate from your home or a commercial location?
- Licensing: What licenses are you required to have and from which agencies? What are the requirements, costs and lead times?
- Training and certification: What types of training and/or certification do you need?
- Market: What are the child-care needs of your community?
- Location: Choose a site that is appropriate and affordable.
- Legal requirements: Check on zoning and any other legal issues. (See regulations later on in the story)
- Financial issues: Estimate your start-up costs and identify the source(s) of your start-up funds.
- Health and safety issues: Plan for accident and illness prevention, and develop emergency procedures. See regulations later on in the story)
- Programs: Develop an appropriate schedule of activities for the children.
- Equipment: What do you need to adequately equip your centre, where will you get it, and how much will it cost?
- Insurance: What coverage do you need to adequately protect yourself and the children in your care?
- Staffing: If you plan to hire people, know the required staff-to-child ratios and develop your human resources policies.
- Links: What community and professional resources are available to you?