Does anyone own a group daycare home? will $11,000 be enough to open a group daycare of 12 to 15 kids?

Question

i will have 11,000 dollars in jan. and im planning to rent to own a home for use of the group home. it is allowed in my state to have a group home outta a house you dont live in. will $11,000 be plenty for all supplies and stuff i need to get started? any on who has a group home please help

Answer 1

Here's what you need, so figure..

12-15 Mats and Blankets

Snacks

Toys

Plenty of Drinks

Renting the Home

Figure that to begin with. I'm not totally sure how much your rent will be in the house, that's something very important to consider.

Answer 2

fees for an accountant and lawyer

rent

insurance

utilities and phone

advertising and office supplies

food and service supplies (plates, napkins, forks, etc. paper is expensive)

cots, sheets, pillows, cases (i suggest you purchase your own as parents will not remember to bring them and this is usually a licensing violation.  buy the small camp sized pillows and cases)

toys and educational materials

art supplies, cleaning supplies

cabinetry to hold everything

employee wages and taxes (if you have any employees)

licensing fees, education fees, cpr/first aid fees

these are just a few of the things you'll have to cover to get started.  figure up what all this will cost in  your area and make sure you have enough for at least a year to operate.  you can't count on being at full capacity immediately or all the time.  prepare for the down times and have enough in the bank to keep you going.

good luck.  i loved it when i did this.

Answer 3

You've have a good answer there.  What a great thing that your state allows you to have a group home in a home that you are not of resident of. I wish that was so in our State.  I would go that route...definately.  Make sure it is fine with your rental people.  Sometimes they have a problem with it because of the extra liability.  You may need an insurance rider, etc.

$11,000.  You should be able to make that work...but it all adds up quickly and it depends what you have already...and any "renovations/replacements" you need to do.  Get good deals-go to garage sales :-)  You can always replace it later.

I've had good experience with Discount School Supply...www.discountschoolsupply.com.  Lakeshore Learning is nice as well but a bit more expensive.

Decide what you HAVE to have.  

* Shelving,

* tables, (child height!)

* chairs,

* sleep mats/sheets

* rugs/carpeting

* CD player,

* toys/manipulatives,

*1st year of supplies, paper, art supplies, etc.

*set aside monies for the first 3 months for meal prep (after that you should be able to go with you income.,

* outdoor equipment is VERY expensive.  Most state's require wood chips/mulch now.  Will you need to fence in your play area?  Will you need a shed to store the toys and such in?  (Hope not! There's your $11,000!)  Will you need man made shade?  Be sure to have a sandbox with a lid.  Tricycles/bikes?  Portable toys.

*computer(s)-printer/copier

*filing cabinent

*advertisement

*training for self and staff member

* is there already a kitchen completed?  Is there a washer/dryer?

* cubbies are very nice and something to organize the children's belongings is very neccessary.

There is much more.  Sorry I can't list it all.  What I did when I was working on a center plans was create a floor plan with everything I wanted/needed in each room.  Then I went through my Discount School Supply Catalog and wrote down the approximate price for every piece of equipment.  Then if you don't have the budget for it...then you start making a "wish list".  :-)  And get down to the basics of what you need.  You really need to think about how you want the program to run.  Mine is in my main living area but even though I'm a believer of play/center -based programs I can't do it that way.  However if this is in a seperate home you want to think about offering that.  Think about the centers  you would want in a preschool.  

Library (soft seating, flannel/magnet board, book shelf)

Art/easel

Games/manipulatives

Fine Motor/Writing

Dramatic Play (can get very expensive here!)

Blocks/large group area (can get expensive here too)

Computers

A "Teacher's corner"

A Science/Discovery Center

Good luck!  What fun!