Being a stay-at-home mom is hard work. You’re constantly on the go, trying to balance taking care of your own children with keeping your house in order.
And you’re somehow still expected to find time to make money.
It’s no wonder that so many stay-at-home moms feel like they’re constantly running out of time and energy.
One way to make money while still being able to stay home with your kids is to start a home daycare business. With a home daycare, you can set your own hours, choose your own rates, and, most importantly, be there for your own kids when they need you.
But starting a home daycare business is no small task. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to start a home daycare business, from deciding if it’s right for you to getting licensed and insured.
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Is Starting a Home Daycare Right for You?

When considering starting a home daycare business, one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is whether or not it’s actually the right fit for you. After all, running a daycare is a lot of work, and you’ll be responsible for caring for other people’s children all day, which means minimal downtime for you.
If you’re not patient, organized, and good with kids, then starting a home daycare will probably not be the right fit for you.
That being said, there are also some advantages to starting a home daycare business. you’ll get to set your hours and rates and since you’ll be working from home, you won’t have any expensive childcare costs.
Plus, if you love kids and enjoy being around them, starting a home daycare can be a great way to turn your passion into a profit.
How to Start a Home Daycare Business:
There are a few things you should consider before starting your business. First,
- why do you want to start a daycare?
- What kind of daycare do you want to run?
- What are your qualifications?
- How much money are you willing to invest?
These are all important questions to answer before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship.
Do Your Research
The first step is always researching, talking to other daycare owners, joining Facebook groups, and attending local events. You can also look into taking online courses.
Create a Business Plan
After you’ve done your research, it’s time to create a business plan. This doesn’t have to be fancy; a simple document outlining your goals, objectives, and strategies will do. But having this blueprint will help keep you focused as you move forward with starting your business.
Getting Licensed and Insured
Once you’ve decided that starting a home daycare is right for you, the next step is to make sure that you’re licensed and insured.
Each state has its own regulations for licensing requirements for in-home daycares, so be sure to check with your state’s licensing agency to find out the specific requirements in your area.
In general, though, most states will require that prospective home daycare providers complete some basic training courses on topics like first aid and CPR, child development, and managing difficult behavior in children.
You’ll also need to obtain liability insurance for your business—which can be done through most homeowners insurance policies.
Be sure to check with your insurance agent to find out exactly what coverage you need and how much it will cost.
Once you have your license and insurance in place, you’ll be ready to start advertising your new business!
Market Your Business
Now that everything is in place, it’s time to start marketing your business! There are a number of ways to market your home daycare, including online directories, network marketing (telling everyone you know about your new business), or even dropping flyers all over your neighborhood.
You can also get involved with local parenting groups or partner with other businesses in the area (such as toy stores or family-friendly restaurants).
The sky’s the limit when it comes to marketing—get creative and have fun with it!
Starting a home daycare checklist
Starting a daycare can be overwhelming, and this is why i have put together this opening a day care checklist.
Here’s a handy checklist to help you get organized and ensure you have everything you need to get started.
1.Licensing and Certification:
The first step is to ensure you are licensed and certified to operate a home daycare in your state. Each state has different requirements, so be sure to do your research.
Once you have your ducks in a row on the licensing front, you’ll be ready to move on to the next item on our checklist!
2.Developing Your Curriculum:
You’ll need to spend some time thinking about what sort of curriculum you want to offer at your daycare.
Do you want it to be play-based? Academic? A mix of both? There are tons of resources to help you develop a curriculum that meets the needs of both you and your future students.
3.Creating a Schedule:
A big part of running a successful daycare is having a well-thought-out schedule that keeps both kids and adults on track.
This will help minimize disruptions and chaos during the day.
Be sure to include plenty of time for activities, snacks, naps, and outdoor play in your schedule!
4. Purchasing Supplies:
You’ll need to stock up on supplies for your daycare, and this includes things like furniture, dishes, art supplies, toys, games, etc. A good place to start is by taking inventory of what you already have around your house that could be repurposed for use in your daycare.
In addition to playthings and furniture, you’ll also need to stock up on supplies like diapers, wipes, tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, art supplies, and more.
And since little ones go through supplies quickly (and accidents happen!), it’s always best to err on the side of too much rather than too little you can always use leftover supplies for future projects or donate them if you don’t end up needing them all.
Oh, and don’t forget the snacks!
Healthy snacks are a must for any home daycare plus they help keep those tiny tummies full until lunchtime (or naptime!).
Then make a list of any additional items you may need to purchase. Once you have everything you need, you’ll be ready to open your doors for business!
5.Insurance –
This is probably the most important item on the list. You’ll want to make sure you’re properly insured in case of any accidents or injuries that may occur. Talk to your insurance agent about coverage options for home daycares.
6.A well-stocked playroom –
A good selection of toys, books, and games is essential for any daycare. Your goal is to create a safe and stimulating environment for the children in your care.
7.A comfortable nap area –
It’s important to provide a quiet and comfortable place for the kids to take naps. Cots or mats on the floor are usually best.
Just make sure they’re spaced out so each child has plenty of room to stretch out.
- Staying calm under pressure,
- Being patient,
- Having a sense of humor.
These last three items don’t necessarily have anything to do with physical supplies, but they’re just as important!
Running a daycare can be challenging at times, so you must be able to stay calm under pressure and maintain your sense of humor.
Being patient is also key–some days will be smoother than others, but as long as you remain patient and flexible, things should run smoothly overall.
Download a free printable checklist of the in-home daycare requirements.
Grants to start an in-home daycare
Several federal and state grants are available to help offset the startup costs associated with opening an in-home daycare. Some of the most popular grants include the following:
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is a federal grant that is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The CCDBG provides states with funding to help them improve the quality of child care and increase the availability of child care for low-income families.
To find out if your state uses CCDBG funds to support in-home childcare providers, contact your state’s Early Learning Advisory Council.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of loans and grants to small businesses, including in-home daycares.
One loan program that might be a good fit for your needs is the SBA’s Community Express Loan Program. Visit their website to learn more about this loan program and others offered by the SBA.
If you live in Texas, you might be eligible for financial assistance through the Texas Workforce Commission’s Self-Sufficiency Fund (SSF). To learn more about this program and others offered by the Texas Workforce Commission, visit their website/
These are just a few grants available to help you offset the costs associated with starting an in-home daycare business.
Contact your state’s Early Learning Advisory Council or Small Business Administration office for more information on these programs and others that might be available in your area.
And remember, even if you don’t qualify for a grant, plenty of other financing options are still available to help you get your business off the ground!
Conclusion: How to Start a Home Daycare Business: The Ultimate Guide.

Opening up a home daycare takes guts but it can also be incredibly rewarding both personally AND financially.
But before you jump into this exciting new adventure headfirst, there are some critical preparations you need to make first, including getting licensed, setting expectations with both kids and parents alike, creating a safe environment, investing in quality equipment and supplies, and stocking up on snacks!
By following this checklist carefully (and maybe tossing in a few fun surprises), you’ll be well on your way to opening up a top-notch home daycare that both kids and parents will love!