The art of caring for young children in your own home is one that requires talent, patience, planning and sacrifice. An at-home child-care business can be one of the most rewarding forms of self-employment. It can also be one of the most challenging career paths.

Before you launch your at-home business, carefully evaluate the level of child-care to which you are willing to commit and plan accordingly. Be realistic about your goals as a child-care provider. If you are serious about owning an at-home child-care business, you must treat yours like any other legitimate business venture.

Is an at-home child-care business right for you?

Before you launch a business as a child-care provider, make a list of pros and cons. Here are some examples:
Pros
- A business in child-care will allow you to work in the comfort of your own home.
- As a child-care provider, you will be your own boss.
- Child-care providers enjoy the youth and energy of children.
- You can work with elements you love like arts, crafts and recreational activities.
- You will set your own hours as a business owner.

Cons
- Bringing extra children into your home will cause a tremendous amount of wear and tear on your private living space.
- Caring for children can be emotionally and physically draining.
- If you own an at-home child-care business, you will be required to come up with fun arts, crafts and recreational activities on a regular basis to keep your little clients (and their parents) happy.
- Parents are frequently delayed by unexpected circumstances. Retail stores can close their doors at closing time and go home. You will be required to care for the children in your charge until a responsible adult arrives to pick them up.

Create a plan of action and put that plan into action

If the pros outweigh the cons for you, take these important steps to a healthy, lucrative business venture:

1. Discuss your plans with family members: Before you launch your at-home child-care business, talk to the people with whom you share your home. If you are planning to use common space for this business, you will need the full support of family members. If you have your own children, they may resent sharing their space, their parents and their toys with other children. Talk about it often and discuss ways you can make this new business enjoyable for everyone in the home. Ask them to review your list of pros and cons and ask them to add some of their own.
2. Write a business plan:

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to start your own at-home child-care business?
We want to hear your view. Write now!