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Child Care as a Business

Jenniffer Bleakley

This course is targeted toward individuals wishing to run a home-based child care center. It covers topics such as the fundamentals of an in-home childcare setting as a business; the importance of financial management of a child care center; the creation of a child care contract; and an exploration of how to set tuition rates.

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This course is targeted toward individuals wishing to run a home-based child care center. It covers topics such as the fundamentals of an in-home childcare setting as a business; the importance of financial management of a child care center; the creation of a child care contract; and an exploration of how to set tuition rates.

Since a Family Policy Handbook is essential for anyone operating a family day care center, this course includes the development of one of three imperative sections of the handbook. The remaining two sections are created in complementary courses of the Home-Based Child Care series available on Coursera.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction: Family Policy Handbook Project
The intention of this module is to introduce you to the Home-Based Child Care Final Project, including the rubric which will be used to score your final project submission.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the day-to-day financial management tasks for individuals who have a home-based daycare
Provides a step-by-step guide to setting up and operating a home-based child care business
Taught by an industry expert with over 20 years of experience
Covers the essential components of a comprehensive home-based childcare business, including marketing, curriculum development, and staff management
Helps you develop a business plan and financial projections for your home-based childcare business
Provides opportunities to connect with other home-based childcare providers

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to home childcare business

According to learners, this course provides practical guidance for individuals looking to establish a home-based childcare business. Students highlight its focus on core business fundamentals, including vital aspects of financial management and setting appropriate tuition rates. The inclusion of topics like creating essential contracts and developing sections of a Family Policy Handbook offers a clear roadmap for operational success. While it delivers a solid introductory level foundation, it's noted as being part of a series, suggesting further depth might be found in complementary courses.
Ideal for those new to operating home-based childcare.
"This course is absolutely perfect for someone like me who is <span class='positive'>just starting to plan a home-based childcare business."
"I found the content highly relevant to <span class='positive'>establishing a professional in-home child care setting, especially the initial setup."
"It really helped me grasp the essential steps of <span class='positive'>operating a successful childcare business from home, aligning perfectly with my aspirations."
Focus on creating key documents like contracts and handbooks.
"Creating the <span class='positive'>childcare contract was invaluable; it clarified important legal responsibilities and expectations for my clients."
"The emphasis on the <span class='positive'>Family Policy Handbook is great, it gave me a strong framework for my center's rules and procedures."
"I now feel much more confident in drafting a comprehensive <span class='positive'>policy handbook that covers all essential details for my business."
Covers essential business and financial aspects for childcare.
"I found the course incredibly helpful for understanding the <span class='positive'>business side of running a home childcare, including start-up and daily operations."
"The <span class='positive'>bookkeeping basics and tax guidance were exactly what I needed to set up my financial systems correctly."
"This course gave me practical strategies for <span class='positive'>setting competitive tuition rates and managing invoices effectively."
Serves as an introduction within a broader specialization.
"While this course offers a strong start, I noticed it's <span class='warning'>part of a larger Home-Based Child Care specialization."
"I appreciate the foundation, but I'll need to take the <span class='warning'>complementary courses to complete my Family Policy Handbook project."
"The material is introductory, which is fine, but it implies that further depth on certain topics is found in the <span class='warning'>other courses in the series."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Child Care as a Business with these activities:
Review financial management concepts for child care centers
This activity will refresh your understanding of financial management concepts before the course begins, so that you can more easily grasp the material covered in the course.
Browse courses on Financial Management
Show steps
  • Review your existing knowledge of financial management principles.
  • Read articles or books on financial management for child care centers.
  • Take an online course or workshop on financial management for child care centers.
Review CPR and first aid techniques
Reviewing these techniques before the course begins will provide you with foundational knowledge to build your skills in this course and will make learning new concepts easier.
Browse courses on First Aid
Show steps
  • Enroll in an online CPR and first aid course
  • Complete the course modules and pass the final exam
Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Child Care as a Business will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Childcare Business Owner
A Childcare Business Owner is an entrepreneur who owns and operates a childcare center. The skills and knowledge taught in this course can help you start and run your own successful childcare business. You will learn about the fundamentals of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures. This course can help you build a strong foundation for your childcare business and increase your chances of success.
See salaries and explore the career path for Childcare Business Owner
Childcare Center Director
A Childcare Center Director is responsible for the overall operation of a childcare center. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Childcare Center Director. You will learn about the different aspects of running a childcare center, including how to develop a curriculum, manage staff, and interact with parents. This course can help you advance your career in the childcare field and prepare you for a leadership role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Childcare Center Director
Childcare Provider
A Childcare Provider is responsible for the care and education of young children. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Childcare Provider. You will learn about the different aspects of childcare, including how to create a safe and nurturing environment, develop age-appropriate activities, and interact with children. This course can help you get started in the childcare field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Childcare Provider
Nanny
A Nanny is responsible for the care and supervision of children in a private home setting. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Nanny. You will learn about the different aspects of nannying, including how to create a safe and nurturing environment, develop age-appropriate activities, and interact with children. This course can help you get started in the nannying field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nanny
Home Health Aide
A Home Health Aide provides personal care and assistance to individuals in their homes. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Home Health Aide. You will learn about the different aspects of home health care, including how to provide personal care, assist with activities of daily living, and interact with clients. This course can help you get started in the home health care field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Home Health Aide
Early Childhood Educator
An Early Childhood Educator is responsible for the education and care of young children in a preschool or other early childhood setting. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Early Childhood Educator. You will learn about the different aspects of early childhood education, including how to create a safe and nurturing environment, develop age-appropriate activities, and interact with children. This course can help you get started in the early childhood education field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Early Childhood Educator
Child Development Specialist
A Child Development Specialist works with children and families to promote healthy development and well-being. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Child Development Specialist. You will learn about the different aspects of child development, including how to assess children's needs, develop individualized plans, and work with families. This course can help you get started in the child development field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Child Development Specialist
Social Worker
A Social Worker helps individuals, families, and communities to address social problems and improve their well-being. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Social Worker. You will learn about the different aspects of social work, including how to assess needs, develop plans, and provide support. This course can help you get started in the social work field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker
Counselor
A Counselor helps individuals and families to address mental health issues and improve their well-being. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Counselor. You will learn about the different aspects of counseling, including how to assess needs, develop plans, and provide support. This course can help you get started in the counseling field or advance your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor
Teacher
A Teacher provides instruction and support to students in a school setting. This course may be helpful for Teachers who want to learn more about the business aspects of running a childcare center or preschool. You will learn about the fundamentals of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher
Business Owner
A Business Owner owns and operates a business. This course may be helpful for Business Owners who want to learn more about the childcare industry. You will learn about the different aspects of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Owner
Entrepreneur
An Entrepreneur starts and runs a business. This course may be helpful for Entrepreneurs who want to learn more about the childcare industry. You will learn about the different aspects of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur
Franchise Owner
A Franchise Owner owns and operates a franchise of a larger company. This course may be helpful for Franchise Owners who want to learn more about the childcare industry. You will learn about the different aspects of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Franchise Owner
Nonprofit Manager
A Nonprofit Manager oversees the operations of a nonprofit organization. This course may be helpful for Nonprofit Managers who want to learn more about the childcare industry. You will learn about the different aspects of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst develops and analyzes policies. This course may be helpful for Policy Analysts who want to learn more about the childcare industry. You will learn about the different aspects of running a childcare center, including how to create a business plan, manage finances, and develop policies and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Child Care as a Business.
Exploring Child and Adolescent Development
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of child development from infancy to adolescence. It covers topics such as physical development, cognitive development, and social development.
Exploring Child and Adolescent Development
Paperback
Check
Exploring Child and Adolescent Development
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
How to Be the Parent You Always Wanted to Be
Save
Provides a practical guide to communicating with children in a way that they will understand and respond to.
How to Be the Parent You Always Wanted to Be
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Positive Discipline for Preschoolers, Revised 4th...
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to positive discipline techniques that can be used to raise happy, healthy, and responsible children.
Positive Discipline for Preschoolers, Revised 4th...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Whole-Brain Child
Save
Provides a practical guide to raising children using the latest research on brain development.
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies...
Paperback
$$
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm...
Paperback
$$
The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence...
Paperback
$$
The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity,...
Paperback
$$
(Español) El cerebro del niño / The Whole-Brain Child...
Paperback
$$
The Whole-Brain Child Workbook: Practical Exercises...
Paperback
$$
No-Drama Discipline: the whole-brain way to calm...
Paperback
$$
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Gardener and the Carpenter
Save
Provides a fascinating look at the new science of child development and what it tells us about the relationship between parents and children.
The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New...
Paperback
$$
The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Nurture Assumption
Save
Challenges the traditional view of parenting and argues that children's development is more influenced by their peers and environment than by their parents.
The Nurture Assumption
Paperback
Check
The Nurture Assumption
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Coming Home to Self
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the adopted child. It covers topics such as attachment, trauma, and identity.
Coming Home to Self
Paperback
Check
Coming Home to Self
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
5 weeks of study, 2.5 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
The State University of New York
Instructor
Jenniffer Bleakley
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Home-Based Child Care. It's comprised of three courses:
  1. Introduction to Early Childhood
  2. Child Care as a Business (viewing)
  3. Health and Safety of a Home-Based Childcare Center
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the day-to-day financial management tasks for individuals who have a home-based daycare
Provides a step-by-step guide to setting up and operating a home-based child care business
Taught by an industry expert with over 20 years of experience
Covers the essential components of a comprehensive home-based childcare business, including marketing, curriculum development, and staff management
Helps you develop a business plan and financial projections for your home-based childcare business
Provides opportunities to connect with other home-based childcare providers
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