New Day Care Provider Checklist I've had this daycare website for over four years and have never had a "List Of Equiptment" or a "How To Get Started" page. Recently, I've had a lot of email asking for this, so I evaluated why I don't have these and it's because the needs of each child care is too specialized. There's a different set of needs if you have toddlers than if you have 4-yrear-olds. There are also different state and licensing requirements . . . . . with that in mind, I'll list what I think is valuable to me :) Keep in mind I watch kids two years and under. Research Before You Begin *Keep in constant prayer about your decision and for provision. *Discuss Daycare with your family. This will mean they will have to share their space AND their Mom (and/or Dad). *Research your state daycare regulations. You can start at National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care *Find other daycare providers in your area and ask them for advice. *Contact your local Child And Adult Care Food Program. Caring For Infants & Young Toddlers changing table play pen hi chair bouncy seat battery operated baby swing recharageable batteries & recharger baby saucer rattles & chewey toys stacking & nesting toys dolls board books bibs bottles sippy cups Caring For Toddlers & Twos changing table play pen hi chair bibs sippy cups potty chair potty seat simple art supplies Caring for Any Ages general toys (stick with classic stuff): books, cars, Legos, soft toys, blocks, dolls, dishes, rattles, etc. out door toys: balls, slides, push toys, trucks, sand/dirt play toys, etc. wash clothes for little faces time out spot child-size plates, forks, spoons, etc. sleeping mats or cots blankets, pillows, sheets gates to keep kids in an area carpet sweeper & good vacuum cordless phone answering machine or voice mail small table & chairs spray bottle with a cap-full of bleach, then filled with water (use to clean counters, tables, hi-chairs, etc.) spray bottle with 25 drops of lavender oil (essential oil at health food store) & water (use before nap on bedding and in room for calming) Office Supplies A file cabinet or a file box Folders or files Business Cards: Vista Print Daycare Management Software: Minute Menu Kids NEW! Printable and updated forms and rates Here. I didn't start out with all the equipment and I didn't need it all at once, either. It was worth it for me to just find the equipment at the thrift stores and yard sales. Until I got the stuff I needed at a good price, I asked the parents to bring their own play pens, swings, etc. This was nice because I got to try out different brands of stuff and look for what I really liked. I used to think I needed 2 or 3 exersaucers and bouncy seats. But I found out I don't because I rotate the infants from one thing to the other. I did have 2 of each of these things and it just cluttered up the space, so I sold them and have been very happy since. I do have 2 swings, 2 hi-chairs, and 3 play pens. The infants sleep in either a swing or playpen. Where would you like to visit? -------------------------- Home Play Room Preschool Resource Room Study Home Office Library Kitchen Family Room Bathroom Scales Backdoor Mailbox -------------------------- Pamm's House Web Design -------------------------- Site Map -------------------------- Disclaimer & Copyright Online Graphics by Country Colors (now closed) © Copyright Since 2001 • Pamm's House • All Rights Reserved All praise and glory go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, I could do nothing. (John 15:5)