Is your house right for running a home daycare?
When starting a daycare in your home it’s important to survey your house and make sure that the setup of your home is conducive to running an in-home daycare. Not every house will work, but not every home needs to have a separate and defined daycare space (although it will make things easier!). It really all depends on what you are comfortable with, your home’s layout, and the number of children in your care.
Is Your House Right for Running a Home Daycare?
You do not have to have the perfect house to run a home daycare. People run family childcare programs in apartments, duplexes, large homes, rural homes, and everything in between. There is no standard requirement for your home.
However, it is important that you examine your home before opening your program. Below are things to consider about your home when you are considering this career.
State Rules and Regulations
While not all states have rules about the size and spacing of your home, some do have a square footage requirement per child. This means that your daycare area needs to be a certain size based on the number of children in your care.
There are also rules about safety. Things like: can you see/hear the children while in the kitchen or using the restroom? Do you have stairs or a fireplace in the daycare space? Do you have an area to safely secure medications? Make sure that you research the rules and regulations for your state.
Storage space
Storage is one of those things I didn’t think through effectively when I first started and it quickly became one of my biggest issues. I needed space for extra toys, art supplies, mats and sheets, extra clothes, kids’ supplies (diapers/cream/shoes)… and so on.
Look around your house and think about where would the kids hang coats. Where would you keep diapers? Do you have a space for art and craft supplies? What about medications and lotions? How will you secure cleaning supplies?
Transition Areas
Transition times can already be a bit hectic and stressful sometimes but if your space is cramped or in the midst of another active area in your home it can make it even more difficult. Times like drop off and pick up, or going from inside to outside. These are areas that you should take a close look at and make a plan for.
Where will muddy shoes go? Coats? How many kids or people can fit in the area? How many do you expect to be in that area at one time? Are there obstacles or furniture that will need to be moved?
Outside Spaces
Outside time is essential for kids and providers. Do you have space for kids to run and play? Is your yard fenced? Grass, dirt, gravel? You don’t need a large yard with lots of toys and play structures. It’s awesome if you can have that but it’s not necessary. As long as kids can have some space to be outside you are fine. Playgrounds or parks near your house?
You should also assess the front of your house. Parents will be coming and going, dropping off, and picking up their kids. What is the parking situation like? Are you on a busy street? What is your porch or entry area like? What happens if several parents arrive at the same time? Will you pick up children from a bus stop nearby? These are all things that you should think about and have a plan for.
Private Spaces
This was something I didn’t think of before starting my home daycare. When your home becomes your business, your personal spaces become even more important. Here are some things to think about in regard to your private spaces.
Do you have a significant other? What happens if they are not at work during the hours your business is open? Is there space for your kids to have their special toys and items? Where will things that the daycare children should not have access to be stored? Are there areas where you can have space for yourself and not feel like you are at ‘work’ all the time? These are all things that you should think about when asking yourself, is your house right for running a home daycare?
Playroom Area
This is your main daycare area, where you will spend most of your time. Do you have space for a variety of toys? Shelves and bookcases? A table for kids to do activities at? Do you have space, or can you make space, for gross motor activities? Can you set up the space so that kids can play together or have an area to play independently if they want? Will you need an area for infants? These are important questions to ask and should be effective in helping you decide how to set up your playroom area.
Bathroom & Diapering Area
Caring for young children means changing diapers, potty training, and lots of handwashing. Examine your bathroom. How can you make it kid-friendly? Where will you put your diapering stations? Can you secure ointments and creams? Will you be able to see and/or hear the children when helping other children with the restroom or washing hands?
Kitchen & Meal Spaces
How will you handle snacks and meals? Will you use your playroom area or a separate area? Do you have storage for kid-sized utensils and plates? How will you cook meals and prepare snacks while also watching the kids? Can you see them from your kitchen area or will you need to give them activities near you? Is the area under your meal table easy to clean? Floors always get messy. I highly recommend a rug or plastic mat under tables where kids do art or eat if you have carpet.
Is your home right for running a home daycare?
I’m guessing that it is! You may need to do some modification or rearranging but I think it is possible to run a home daycare in most homes.
In my personal opinion, the organization of your space may be the most important. If you have a plan and organize your home daycare effectively then you can make anything work.
So is your home right for running a home daycare? Do you think there are things that could be an obstacle? Share them with us in the comments or join my Facebook group for childcare providers and get advice from experienced people in this field.
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