Download a copy of the entire e-book for $9.99 at http://10stepstostartingupachildcarebusiness.blogspot.com/

2. Table of Contents
Introduction-My story
Step 1- Is a Child Care Business the right business for you?
Step 2- Where will you start your Childcare Business?
 Unlicensed Home daycare (caring for 4 children)
 Licensed Home daycare (up to 10 children)
 Child Care Center (more than 10 children )
Step 3-Structuring/Insuring the Business
 Sole Proprietor, Limited Liability Corporation
 Policies (Staff Handbooks, Parent Handbooks, Curriculum, etc)
 Naming the Business
 Insurance
Step 4-Asseessing the need for childcare
 Contact local childcare resource and referral agency
Step 5-Funding your business
 Your money, grants, Loans, credit card, etc.
Step 6- Equipment needed for a Home Daycare
 Changing table, cots, cribs, etc.
Step 7- Equipment Need for a Child Care Center
 Class room materials/equipment, office supplies, food service items, etc.
Step 8- Budget for your Business
 Monthly income, expenses, operating cost, profit/loss, etc.
Step 9- Create a Business Plan
 Marketing plan, philosophy, key operators, business goals, etc.
Step 10- Time to Take Action!
10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business
© Copyright, 2011. Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com

3. My Story
In the fall of 1998, an idea came to me, “Start a Daycare.” Immediately after the
thought entered my mind, I rejected it. I said to m self, NOT A Daycare. I still
believe to this day that the thought was an idea sent from God, because I had no
prior childcare experience. In fact, I only had six years of experience as a Medical
Assistant.
Weeks after the thought of starting a daycare entered my mind; I decided to give it
a try. I placed an ad in the local paper and two-weeks after placing the ad, all of my
enrollment slots were full. So, I set an opening date of December 27, 1998 and I
gave my employer a 30-day notice.
It took so much faith for me to leave my
career as a Registered Medical Assistant to
start a daycare in my home. There were Opening a Child Care
three-reasons why I decided to start a daycare Business is one of the best
and they are as follows: decisions that I have ever
made in my life.
1. I was tired of driving 54 miles a day to
work
2. I was wanted to stay home with my
children
3. My paycheck was the same every two weeks and I needed to make a change
After my decision was made, I went out and bought equipment and materials for
my daycare with only $600.
The first day that I opened the daycare, I was very nervous because mothers trusted
me with their precious little ones and I wanted to be the best childcare provider that
I could possibly be.
As my neighbors, family and friends learned that I was operating a childcare
business, I was inspired to go from an unlicensed provider to a licensed family
home childcare business.
In February 1999, I applied for a childcare license and a special use permit to
operate a daycare caring for up to ten children in my home.
10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business
© Copyright, 2011. Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com

4. The licensing process was not easy, but it was well worth the efforts of modifying
my home to meet the local licensing regulations. The toughest part of the process
was getting the approval of one of my neighbors.
In the municipality where I lived, I was required to obtain consent from at least
75% of my neighbors. After two public hearings, I was granted a special use
permit in March 1999.
In April 1999 I received my license to operate a licensed family home childcare
business, caring up to 10 children age’s 6-weeks-to 12-years of age.
The entire process was amazing and a great accomplishment. I must say that I
appreciate my husband and children for giving
up their home for families in our community.
Furthering my education
Our entire living room and dining room was took my business to
dedicated to daycare space. In fact, my another level
husband finished our basement, so that we
could have family space and an additional
bedroom on the lower level.
In 2001, I saw the need to further my
education, so I enrolled in the local community
college childcare field base program.
This program transformed my thinking and inspired me to improve my daycare.
Through the program I obtained 12-college semester hours in early childhood
education. The program was so beneficial to me, that I decided to add more
equipment and materials. The business went from a daycare to a preschool and I
changed the name from Morgan Daycare to Learning Days.
My instructors, Linda Freud and Genie Edward coached me, into providing quality
developmentally appropriate practices in my daycare. As I began to learn many
new practices, I wanted to go to another level.
That next level was Accreditation. In 2002, I applied for NAFCC accreditation and
was awarded accreditation in 2003, right before I expanded into a childcare center.
10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business
© Copyright, 2011. Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com

5. I moved into my childcare center in April 2003, which I currently still operate
today. Furthermore, after operating my center for 8 years I decided to help others
start-up and manage their daycare businesses through books, articles, start-up
consultations, webinars and classes at my center.
After reading my story you may have noticed that starting up a childcare business
will take the following:
 Sacrifice
 Determination
 Hard work
 The support of your family A Child Care Business is all
 Plenty of energy about the kids and their
 Faith! family childcare needs
The entire e-book will be
I hope that my story has inspired you to go available June 17, 2011 for
ahead and start your daycare business. The $9.99
original reason that I started my daycare was
about me, however as I operated my business, I discovered that the business is all
about the kids and their family childcare needs.
So, if you are ready to serve the families in your community, with the attitude of a
servant and be committed to providing families with the best care possible; I
believe that you are 80% ready to start a childcare business. The other 20% is all
in how you run your business!
10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business
© Copyright, 2011. Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com

6. Is a Child Care Business the Right Business for You?
You may have already made your decision to start a childcare business. However,
before you make your final decision, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are you self motivated?
2. How much knowledge do you have about running a childcare business?
3. Are you will to get additional training or pursue child related college
education?
4. Do you follow rules and regulations very Before deciding to go into
well? business for yourself, you
5. Do you love caring for others? should make careful and
6. How is your decision making? honest assessments of your
7. Are you physically able to work 12-hours strengths and weaknesses
days if required of you? as a potential business
8. How is your mental and emotional health? owner.
9. Are you organized?
~ First Children’s Finance
10.Do you know how to effectively manage
money?
11. How will you finance your business?
12. Are you creative?
13. How is your attitude?
14. Are you willing to sacrifice your family home?
15. Do you prefer a commercial location away from your home?
16. Do you supervise others well?
17. Have you developed your leadership abilities?
18. Does your spouse or family support your decision?
19. Who will be your business mentor during this process?
20. Are you committed to being a life- long student of Business including;
reading business books, magazines, attending seminars, etc?
You may find that you have several areas of strength and weakness, but that’s ok.
That’s why I included the question, Are you committed to being a life- long
student of Business? As long as you are a business owner, the learning never
10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business
© Copyright, 2011. Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com

7. ends! I suggest that you take a day and reflect on the questions above, write
down your answers in the space below to help you to evaluate if a childcare
business is the right business for you:
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Feel free to print several copies of this form
10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business
© Copyright, 2011. Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com