In Home Daycare (Minneapolis, Willmar, Ivanhoe: rental, day care, homes)

[teacup80]

My husband and I are considering moving to St.Paul-Minneapolis Area. I have lived in MN for 5+ years and always longed to return and raise my family there. Finally we are talking about it!

I run an In-Home Daycare. I was wondering if anyone could give me more information on laws, regulations and best areas to settle down and run my in home daycare. Do I need to be Registered, Certified or Licensed? I don't want to move all the way out there and realize that there is really no need for daycare in that specific area. KWIM?

Any response will be appreciated

[Kebinminn]

Check this site.

Licensing Requirements for Homes--Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network (http://www.mnchildcare.org/reqlic/forhomes.php - broken link)

[Sarimn00]

I used to run a daycare a few years back out here in western MN. You do need to be licensed, and that requires going to a certain amount of classes each year. (You can usually fit it all in during a one day convention on a Sat if need be). When I had a daycare, you also needed to take a CPR certification class. They were also getting into requiring you to take a SIDS class.
There was at the time a food program--so if you decide to get into it, ask the licensor who to contact because it was really beneficial. I personally went through CCNI-Child Care and Nutrition, Inc. out of Ivanhoe. I don't know if they are available in the TC area or not, but I am sure there is a food program for all areas. However, that also requires a few hours of classes a year. I thought it was worth it. A few tips:

1. I believe that each room had the requirement that you need to be able to get out two different ways. So make sure any place you get has those requirements, or you can finish those requirements through repairs.
2. Make sure you have the necessary fire alarms and extinguishers that all work, child proof cupboards and electrical outlets. Make sure any rugs have slide proof stuff on the bottom.
3. You should map out an emergency exit and have supplies in place in case of tornado warnings, etc. Most licensors want a plan and expect you to be ready.
4. You will need to make your own day care contract and fees, etc for parents to sign.
5. I would buy a bunch of files and have one for each child. Each child is expected to have their immunization records and permission slips for everything--and I mean everything. If a licensor comes around, he or she will expect those records to be up to date, so it is good to keep organized.
6. You will need to keep track of meals and snacks. If you join a food program, they provide everything you need.
7. You and all that live with you (I believe over 18) are required to pass a background check.
8. Think of some personal references you can write down, because I think the licensor expected those as well at the time. I believe three, just like most jobs. (This would be for the initial application to become licensed as are the background checks)
9. It would be a good idea, if possible, to have a place that you can store diapers, medicines (which will require permission slips), lotions, formula, etc. for each kid. It can just be a cupboard somewhere. It makes life more simple.
10. Have toys for all age groups--I used to frequent garage sales, and you would be surprised at what you can get at those.
11. You need a sleeping area for the kids. Each baby needs a crib-we used those portable ones. We had one and the rest we rented through a childcare rental place out here. If they have them in Willmar, I am sure they have them in other places. You can get toys, cribs, etc. for a small amount depending on how long you rent it. We had mats for the older ones, but that is not a requirement (or at least it wasn't). The older kids slept in the living room at our house, and each baby (we had two) had their own room to sleep. I don't think that was a requirement, but mostly for everyone's sanity, lol.

Anyway, sorry for the book, but since I have been through it, just wanted you to know a few tips. Lots of paperwork is involved (especially at first when you are doing the whole application process), the classes are easy and often quite interesting. Don't let the tips scare you off, because I really loved being a provider, and once you get through the licensing, it is so worth it. We have a lot of laws, but it is for the safety of the kids. Since you already run your own, you might find that they are the same.The link that was provided by a previous poster is a good place to start. Once you get into the classes and all that, you will really find a good network and find out all kinds of tricks of the business.

I don't know if there is any way you can find whether or not a daycare is needed in a certain community, but I have never seen a good daycare empty. It's hard to find daycare--especially for babies, because providers can only take a couple at a time. That all said, I probably wouldn't move out into the middle of nowhere, but even the small community I lived in was fine. Good luck to you! I kind of miss running my own business!

[Sarimn00]

Oh, I managed to forget to tell you another important thing. At the time, if you had your own children under the age of twelve, they were counted as part of the daycare. I didn't, so I am not sure how that worked, and I am not sure if it is still the way it is, but be sure to ask.

[teacup80]

Thank you for the link and all the tips, they have been helpful. In my state we don't even have to be licensed, so that will be a big change as for the rest of it, the list of requirements does look very much the same.

Thank you!