Operating
a daycare in your home should be treated as a small business. Respect
the parents of your daycare children as customers of your service.
Communicate with them frequently. Send home examples of art activities.
Tell the parents what the children did that day ~ walks, singing, etc.
Don't hesitate to stress the good times you had with the children that
day.
As
a business, you must claim all day care income for income tax. Find
an accountant who specializes in home day care to assist you at tax time.
Like
any business, you will have deductions ~ food, toys, supplies and a portion
of household expenses such as rent, telephone, heating and lighting, repairs
and maintenance in and around the house. If you use your car for
day care errands, including the purchasing of supplies ~ keep all receipts
for gas mileage, repairs and maintenance. Also maintain a record
of all mileage while on daycare business. Keep receipts for everything.
Keep
a record of all sources of income: parent fees, subsidies, grants,
etc.
A
receipt must be given to all parents for day care expenses they pay for
privately.
Set
your day care rate so that it is fair to yourself and your clients.
Contact other day cares in your area for a sampling of rates.
Be
fair when disciplining day care children so as not to favor one over the
other.
Be
careful not to interfere with or judge the parent's child care skills.
Instead work with the parent in the best interest of the child.
| I would be happy to answer
any questions you may have regarding a home child care business. |
|
