Preparing Your Home
 For Informational Purposes Only

Is your home child-proof, comfortable, and inviting? Be certain that all areas, indoors and outdoors, are safely child-proofed. Put all items that are breakable out of the reach of the children in your care. This can be done by safely locking these items in closets or putting them on high inaccessible shelves. Poisonous plants should be removed from the home. All toys should be stored on shelves, not in toy boxes. Toys stored on shelves are more appealing to youngsters. Also, when toys have a special place on a shelf, children learn to take care of them instead of just throwing them in a box.

Play materials, furniture, and outdoor equipment should be checked daily for loose parts or any safety hazards. All broken toys should be fixed or removed from the children's play areas. Carefully define the areas that are used for your child care home business. These usually include the living room and/or dining room. Some areas are for family use only. You may decide against using bedrooms and offices. Some areas like the kitchen and bathroom are used for both child care and family.

 
EQUIPMENT NEEDED

The caregiver must have adequate toys and play equipment to meet the needs of all the children. Toys help the children grow, develop, and learn. If you care for toddlers, it is recommended that you purchase at least two of each toy to encourage play and to avoid problems with sharing.

As children get older, toy storage is more important. Open shelves are better than a toy box because children can see the toys more easily. One of the ways a child learns is by making choices. If all of the toys can be seen, the child can make choices without putting all of the toys on the floor.

Depending on the ages of the children you keep, the equipment you need will vary. Child-size tables and chairs can be used for a variety of activities as well as meal and snack time. Each child should have his own bedding, even if you use your own family's beds. A diapering area close to a sink makes sanitizing easy after each diapering. For older children provide a step-stool for sinks and toilet. Do you have an outdoor play area you can use? A hard surface is nice if you have wheeled toys, although soft-surface areas are of equal importance.


BASIC EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS FOR CHILD CARE:

  • child-sized table and chairs
  • individual sleeping places
  • diapering area
  • space
  • art materials
  • water and sand
  • assorted toys and blocks
  • children's books
  • games, puzzles, vehicles, dolls
  • props for pretend play
  • music
  • baby furniture
  • storage area


OPENING A CHILD CARE HOME

The following procedures will assist you in opening a child care home. Call the Department of Human Services. Get a copy of the Family Day Care Home Standards Booklet and review it. If you are interested in becoming licensed, you must:

a. Obtain TB tests for adults and immunization records for children who are members of your household.

b. Have proof of rabies and other required vaccination for each dog and cat.

c. Contact the local fire department and have an inspection made of your home, if required in your community. A portable fire extinguisher suitable for Class A, B, or C fires with gauge must be available in the kitchen area.

After you have completed the above requirements, contact your licensing worker and make and appointment for an inquiry visit. Make a list of questions for the licensing consultant. The consultant will have helpful ideas on how to make your home safe, comfortable, and fun for children.


ZONING REQUIREMENTS

Check on zoning requirements in your area. Your DHS licensing consultant can help you. You may also get information from your public library or city hall. Generally speaking, rural areas do not have zoning restrictions.

Questions to ask my licensing consultant:

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Things I plan to change or add to my home for child care:

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Legal:

Please note that the child care providers listed with TLC Child Care Locators (ChildCareCenters.org) are listings only and are not recommendations.  The information provided by TLC Child Care Locators is believed to have come from reliable sources, including the facilities themselves or those open to the public domain.  However, the facilities shown are listings only.  In no way does TLC Child Care Locators, any site partners, or any sponsors endorse, license, nor otherwise recommend lists found on TLC Child Care Locators Web Site.  TLC Child Care Locators exists as a first step for parents, and is not intended as a recommendation of any kind.  We encourage you to contact the sources themselves for the most accurate information.  We also encourage you to contact local Day Care Licensing Agencies to check records of Child Care Providers that you are considering.