Your Child Care Business

If you are considering becoming a child care program; you are considering becoming a business owner. Child Care Resource and Referral has developed a Business Center to provide you with assistance. That Business Center has the business information you will need under the button/tab titled "Business Center." Read through this Getting Started section and then go to the Business Center section.

Getting Started in Child Care

Taking Care of Other People’s Children is an Important Business

Some people are suited for the job and others are not. As a licensed child care provider you will need to have the skills to care for children on a daily basis. We want to help you decide whether or not being a licensed child care provider is a good occupation for you.

Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider

• Offers assurance to parents that your facility is regulated and you have received appropriate training approved by your local county social services.
• Play a key role in your community by offering a needed service.
• If you have children, they will benefit by learning to share and care for others.
• Increase your skills with resources and training opportunities that are available to help you do your job.
• Expand your tax deductions by reporting expenses for toys, equipment and supplies, as well as some of the upkeep on your home.
• Be your own boss, set your own schedule and earn an income at home.

Qualities of Successful Child Care Providers

There are many things to consider when deciding whether to start a licensed child care business. The information on this web page is designed to provide some basic information so you can make your decision with confidence.

Types of Licensed Child Care

Center Child Care: programs caring for more than 18 children must be licensed as centers. Some centers are owned by private, for-profit businesses and some are operated by non-profit entities such as religious groups, parent boards and hospitals. The number of children a center can provide for at any given time is based on square footage.

School Age Care: school age child care programs mean a school age child care center providing school age child care services exclusively to school age children before and after school, during holidays, and during summer vacation. Go to http://nrc.uchsc.edu, click on State Licensing and Regulation Information and click again on North Dakota for the full set of rules and regulations.

Family Child Care: offered in the home of the provider. Family child care provides an environment where children, infant through school-age, can be together. Providers are allowed to care for no more than seven children 0-12 years of age, of which no more than three children can be under the age of 24 months; or care for only four infants under the age of 24 months. Providers may be licensed to care for two additional school-age children before and after school during the school year and on school holidays. This includes your own children.

Group Child Care: offers care for as many as eighteen children under the supervision of one or more caregivers, depending on the total number and ages of children, qualifications of the provider, space available and local ordinances. This includes your own children.

More About Licensing. . .

In North Dakota, a provider must be licensed if caring for more than three infants (0-2 years) or five children (0-12 years). Providers must count their own children who are under 12 years of age. Homes in North Dakota caring for fewer than what is stated above are not required to be licensed; however, they are encouraged to become licensed. After you are licensed, you will need a minimum of 9 to 10 hours of annual training, depending on your type of license. Licensing regulations may be subject to local ordinances.

Your County Licenser determines the maximum number of children you can care for. However, you may want to consider starting with fewer children until you feel competent, then gradually increase to your maximum capacity.

Considerations for Licensed Child Care in Your Home

Are you physically and emotionally capable?
You need to be prepared to be attentive to children’s needs for 8 to 10 hours a day and be physically capable of lifting children. It also helps to be self-motivated and have good communication skills

Is there a need for child care in your area?
You will want to tailor your business to meet the needs of families in your area. To find out about the supply of and demand for child care in your neighborhood or town, contact your Child Care Resource and Referral office.

What impact will your business have on your family?
Since child care happens in your home, your children and spouse may find that their home no longer seems their own. A successful in-home business starts with communication with your family.

How do parents access your licensed child care service?

You will want to contact a Child Care Resource and Referral office as soon as you are licensed to get your business information into the referral database. By doing so, your program will be promoted through the referral service. Your county licenser will also inform Child Care Resource and Referral office that you have become licensed.

When parents call the Child Care Resource and Referral office looking for licensed child care, they will discuss with a staff member their family’s preference for the location, hours of operation, number and ages of children and special program services. The family’s care preferences will be entered into a computer that generates the names and phone numbers of the licensed child care providers who match the family’s specific requests. The licensed child care providers' names will be given to parents using the referral service. As the consumer shopping for child care, the parents will use the list to contact the licensed child care providers of their choosing, schedule interviews and pre-visits.

There is no fee for licensed child care providers to participate in the Child Care Referral System!

How much training do you need and how do you access training?

Child Care Resource and Referral will keep you updated on the many training opportunities available.

Training will help you:

• Help children develop self-control and empathy for others
• Plan appropriate activities to promote children’s learning
• Maintain a high level of positive verbal interaction with children
• Facilitate the development of self-esteem in children
• Help children resolve conflicts by problem solving
• Respond promptly and directly to children’s needs

Where do you find resources and support for your new in home licensed child care business?

• Business Center
• Lending Libraries.
• Data on current demand for child care to assist in program planning
• When available, information on start up grants and training scholarships
• Assistance in filling vacancies when enrolled in the referral system

What to do if licensed child care is for you?

Your local county social service licenser is available to discuss rules and regulations as well as local ordinance requirements for your in-home business.

Your county licenser and Child Care Resource and Referral office will work together to assist you in your licensed child care business.

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