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It's true, we all make mistakes but most times those mistakes just won't matter. People and children especially tend to be resilient. But there are some mistakes that you can make that will set your small business on a course for disaster. So let's go over these crucial errors that I've seen made and keep them in the back of your mind so that you have not problems in the future.
#1 You have no set curriculum or structure. If you're looking for quality families and parents who care about their child's development then you want to make sure you have a program that nurtures, educates, and challenges children. Parents are willing to pay you well if they feel you have a great program. You will also have a greater opportunity to increase your enrollment if you have people asking to enroll in your center. A lousy program, watching T.V. not going outside will hurt you in the long run. You'll have problems enrolling children and the children who you do enroll may not want to pay.
#2 Your not licensed and don't abide by state rules. I got a call last week from a lady who was running an in home daycare with 8 children each day. She was not licensed. What scared me was, “what if some type of accident happened and it was found out that she was running an illegal daycare?' She could get sued. Daycare licenses and rules are there for your protection (and the families). Again, I say please get a license if you want more than 3 kids in your home it's for your own protection and I don't want to see you get sued.
#3 Your daycare is not safe. Again this goes hand and hand with having a license. Be absolutely careful and make sure that safety is your number one priority. One example is making sure that all your children are accounted for when going outside and coming inside. Always count heads, you don't want to forget a child.
#4 Not keeping your daycare clean. An unclean daycare is a daycare with a bad reputation, sick children, sick teachers, and low enrollment. Need a say more.
#5 Lack of professionalism. This is an article in itself. But to keep it short don't forget to answer the door, come announced in your PJ's, talk unprofessionally, be opinioned and brash. You get the idea.
(C) 2006 CG Groth
Most parents looking for a daycare are hit with a slew of questions they need to answer when searching out care.
And the same as goes for the provider who is running a child center. What are parents looking for in daycare and what exactly is an “excellent child care program”.
There are 4 Important Traits that characterize excellent child care centers.
1. There is a team effort among all who work there: A daycare center can consist of one provider or many. Regardless of the numbers there should be a mission statement that commits to the child and the family as well. When all individuals work together to provide an environment that is loving, caring, supportive of the family unit there is a united commitment to quality care. Daycare's that have issues with gossiping, truancy, teacher turnover, are not centers that are united for the well being of the child.
2. There is a curriculum that supports growth in the child: A childcare center should be a bright, cheery, happy and fun place to go full of interesting things to look at, touch and experience.
Daycare centers should have a development program for each age group with an understanding that each child grows and develops at their own rate. Children should participate in activities that challenge and nature that child. Reading books, outside play, art, time spent learning how to get along with others is all very important to a child's development. Teaching them communication and social behavior becomes so very important when a child prepares for school.
3. Consistent Relationship with One Provider: Developing a nurturing, caring relationship with one individual over time is so very important to a child's development. Children are looking for consistency, love, reassurance that they are in a safe environment. The provider should engage in regular conversation with the children present in daycare.
4. Policies that support safety in a daycare center: Daycare centers that are licensed are under strict accordance by their state licensing bureau. They must listen to their state agency on rules and safety, which is intended to keep all children safe and out of harms way. Also daycare centers that are licensed are visited by the licensing bureau and the fire department. Daycare centers must also have in writing policies regarding sickness, accidents, and closings. Each parent should be exactly clear on what the daycare's policies are to avoid any disasters or communication problems in the future.
(c)2006 CG Groth Inc.