Licensure is a mandatory and important aspect for you to consider when starting a daycare. Being licensed means that your daycare has met the minimum requirements set up by your state. It allows you to operate your daycare legally and ensures a safer environment for the children in your care.

Parents would not want to leave their children in an unlicensed facility, plus operating without a license could result in fines; so without question, you will need to have your daycare licensed. In order to become licensed, you will have to meet the requirements set forth by your state. Some of the areas you will need to check for compliance are mentioned below.

Zoning considerations

The first step is to make sure the location you have selected for your daycare is zoned for your new business. In addition to city zones, be sure to check with your home owner's association if you plan to operate the daycare from your home.

Safety considerations

You and your employees will be required to undergo first aid training and become certified in CPR. In addition, you facility will need to pass an inspection by the fire marshal and have the proper number of exits and be constructed of the proper materials. The facility should have adequate ventilation and have the proper square footage per child ration. Additionally, the food preparation area and food handling procedures need to be in compliance.

Training considerations

Be sure to check the requirements in your state to see if you need to have an educational degree in order to operate a daycare. If you don't have one, you may be able to hire someone with such a degree and give them the responsibility for planning the educational activities and disciplinary policies for your daycare.

In order to obtain a license for your daycare, you need to make sure your facility, policies, and employees all fall within the regulations as stipulated by your state. Therefore, you need to obtain a copy of the licensing requirements so you know what is expected of you. Then arrange for the fire and sanitation inspectors to visit your site. You may even want to hire a licensing consultant or attorney to go over everything with you before you submit your license application.

When starting a daycare, getting properly licensed is something you have to do and is not optional. It is a good idea to get a copy of the requirements while you are early in the planning stages so you can plan your daycare with the legal requirements in mind. Be aware too that licensing is required even if you operate your daycare from your home and you are the only employee and care for just a few children.