Have you been wondering about how you can build a Family Day Care business while still being able to care for your own child?
Running a family day care is more than just babysitting. You will be running your own business in an industry that is experiencing huge growth and demand is at an all-time high.
As your own boss you will need to know how to market your services, organise all necessary permits and required certifications, manage your business finances, and comply with business requirements mandated by your State and Territory Regulatory Authorities and of the Department of Social Services.
But before you jump in, lets look at what you need to know before setting up a family day care.
1. A Safe, Secure, Family Focused Environment
Your house will need to be safe and secure to be able to accommodate young children. As a parent, you have already made arrangements to make your house safe for your children. But when you will be taking care of up to seven 6-week old babies to 12 year-old kids extra precaution will be needed to ensure that you can guarantee their safety.
You’ll soon come across that assessment of your home is a major requirement for approved providers of family day care (FDC). They will be looking at the condition of physical equipment in your home and also looking at potential risks and hazards. These aspects may be as small as having safety sockets in place or having a first aid kit.
These are just some physical environment and risk examples you need to be aware of that Queensland’s Department of Education and Training has outline:
Physical Environment
– Premises, furniture, equipment, toys should be safe, clean, and in good repair
– Fencing
– Laundry and hygiene facilities
– Indoor space requirement per child should be 3.25 square meters
– Outdoor space requirement per child should be 7 square meters
– Toilet and hygiene facilities
– Nappy change facilities
– Ventilation and natural lightEnough entries and exits in case of emergencies
– Enough entries and exits in case of emergencies
Risk and Hazardous
– Potential risks from home pets and other animals
– Pests
– Weather hazards
– Water hazards
– Fire hazards
– Electrical hazards
– Strangers or other adults that have not been assessed as a suitable family day care service provider
Source: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2015/family_day_care_business_model.pdf
You’ll never be short of resources to help you out like Family Day Care, Child Australia, and Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority.
2. Your Family’s Support
Since you share your house with the rest of your own family, it is very important for them to understand that your house is going to be transformed into a venue where you will be caring for other children and also a venue for your new business. Your clients or potential clients will be regularly visiting and on top of that, so will authorities to undertake regular check and audits of your services.
Firstly, it would be best to have a conversation with your spouse and then with your children explaining your new business venture. You will need their utmost support for you to be able to pull this off successfully. Anyway, once you start getting income from this business, the money that you will earn will ultimately help in your family’s finances.
But it is not always business first and it’s important to assure your family that your role to them as a wife and mother will not be compromised. Make them understand that you will need your own time and space while at work (though at home) but will focus on them once your working hours are over. Never forgot to maintain good communication with both your spouse and children and have them remember that you are working really hard to provide the best for them.
3. Building Lasting Partnerships With Your Clients
The biggest advantage you have as a business owner is that you already know your target client. They are parents who are just like you with the desire to give their kids the best early educations, care and support possible. This is why it is essential for you to know how to start a good relationship with each and every one of your clients from the beginning.
Always keep in mind that you will come across a few hurdles and may have some disagreements with parents when caring for other children. It’s at this point where you are expected to show respect and follow any specific instructions that the parents share. You should be able to make them feel that you are there to best support their children while they are under your care and do so professionally.
4. Fixed Cost Of Launching Your FDC
Family day cares are not expensive to set up but it is a business that you should be able to shoulder. There are two types of costs that you need to consider – compulsory and variable. Compulsory are the ones that you will need to spend regularly as they are needed for the business to operate continuously. Variable are costs of items, services, and other things that you prefer to have in your home, as they might be useful for you to do the job.
Compulsory
– Liability insurance Safety and maintenance of your home (annual)
– Phone and utilities
– Legal requirements (Working with Children Check and Criminal History Check)
– First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma training
– First Aid kits
– Educational equipment and materials
– Program planning materials, folders, display books, camera, pens
– Nutritious food and drink for the children if not provided by the parents
– Nappies for babies and toddlers
– Housekeeping costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry
Variable
– Marketing (there are other forms of marketing that you can do on your own)
– Accounting and bookkeeping (if you have background then you can also do this on your own)
– Reference books and journals
– Program consumables
– Membership of professional organisations
– Gifts for Family Day Care children
– Additional training
Source: https://www.decd.sa.gov.au/sites/g/files/net691/f/family_day_care_information_for_applicants.pdf
5. Promote Your FDC Business
As with any other businesses out there, you need to have some form of marketing to promote your FDC. It is necessary for other people to know that you now offer child care services in your home. In case they don’t need your services, at least they can tell other families who are currently considering the service. Marketing will depend entirely on what you can accommodate given your time and budget.
Some examples are:
– Social Media: building a business page on Facebook, maintaining a good profile on LinkedIn, and making announcements via Twitter.
– Website: you can work with a website developer or you can make your own using available templates and easy-to-use software that can be found online.
– Blogging: if you know how to write articles then you can post child care-related ones on a blog.
– Join online forums, communities, and groups of child care providers, small business owners in your area, and parents.
– Business cards: you can have some printed and then distribute to potential clients.
– Fliers and brochures: best if you can design your own or download templates online. You can either email them directly to prospects or distribute them in shopping centres, within your community, or in other places where families go to.
The best form of marketing will still be “word of mouth”. Nothing can beat a good recommendation. Word of mouth is free and is highly effective so be sure to provide the best service in your family day care and your clients will spread the word!
6. Training, Qualifications, And Required Checks
You should have completed or at least be working towards completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. After that, you can further your studies by taking a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. These courses will not only enable you to manage a family day care but also provide opportunities for you to become a child care worker in a bigger child care centre, a child care centre manager or director. There is also a thorough criminal and medical check involved. Clearance on these checks will give families the assurance that their children will be safe under your care.
These insights give you just some idea of what it takes to starting a family day care. There is a lot more to learn so don’t stop here. Do your own research and talk to your local education and social welfare authorities on what else should be covered when planning to start this new business.
At the same time, if you are interested in any of the courses mentioned above, let us know and we’ll help you start on a course that will help you launch your own family day care at home. Do send us a message here or call us at 1300 236 364.