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"Working
away from home and having to leave my children with a sitter was a
tough thing to do everyday…so I decided that because my children
needed me at home I became, as many stay at home moms do, a
babysitter." These were the circumstances that guided Dr.
Terri Simmons to make a life decision to quit her job and stay
home to raise and care for her children and other children. It is
this experience that is the inspiration behind her book "How
To Own And Operate Your Home Day Care Business Successfully
Without Going Nuts!" Based on her actual involvement in
starting and operating a home day-care business, Dr. Simmons has
compiled her experiences into what she describes as a "day
care survival handbook and guide for aspiring home day care
providers and working parents."
Since
quality home day-care service is a high-demand business
opportunity of the future, her book is a valuable source of
information to anyone considering such a venture. The purpose of
her book is simple: "to help guide you through the process of
beginning a home day care center." Stressing organizational
skills, daily scheduling and menu plans is only the first part of
planning such an enterprise. Other startup concerns include
licensing, registration, food programs and preparing your home for
day care. In her introduction Dr. Simmons explains what first must
be done to establish a home day-care facility. These steps include
writing down everything you can about the business, doing research
and asking questions, deciding on a business name, learning about
the government regulations on such facilities, and perfecting your
abilities in caring for small children. Once you have done this
you are ready to follow your dream of owning and operating your
own day-care business.
In
the different chapters of the book Dr. Simmons examines and
explains every aspect of running a day-care facility. In "The
Paperwork" she discusses the different forms that must be
completed by the business owner, such as license applications,
background checks and medical records. "Inspections"
contains a handy checklist of items that have to be inspected and
secured in the building before it is occupied by children (safety
locks on cabinets, electrical outlets covered, etc.).
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Two
of the most important chapters are "Finding the Little
Darlings" and "The Contract." "Little
Darlings" helps you establish the guidelines for the children
that you will accept (age, number of children per facility, etc.)
and how to advertise and recruit clients for your business.
"The Contract" contains Dr. Simmons’ guidelines for
hiring employees, fees, payments, night care, meals and health care.
This may be the most important chapter in the book and is beneficial
in helping the reader to decide if this is the right career path to
follow.
Other
important chapters include information on legal frustrations,
groceries, getting organized, and a practical section entitled
"The Main Reason We Do This Every Day" (as she says, for
the money!).
The
book concludes with an outstanding appendix that contains important
information on stress, sickness in children and child abuse.
In
today’s society it has become an economic necessity for both
parents to work away from the home. Dr. Simmons’ book is a welcome
addition to the literature of home day-care startups and serves as a
business plan for such a venture.
Encompassing
all of the different concerns and problems faced in this business is
only part of the book’s value. Dr. Simmons’ enthusiastic
approach and her "can-do" attitude make the book inspiring
and encouraging. As she states in her introduction, "my sole
purpose for writing this book is to not only help guide you through
the process of operating a home day care but to help you become
financially independent from home." Readers who follow the
advice in this book will improve their chances of achieving this
independence.
"How
To Own And Operate Your Home Day Care Business Successfully Without
Going Nuts!" is recommended for anyone currently in the home
day-care business or considering opening such a business.
For
more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call
217-732-8878.
[Richard
Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]
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