Well where to start ..

Around the end of August 2008 I have made the decision to build a daycare center. After back and forth at not knowing really what to do.. if I should do this or that I decided this is what is right for me.

I have looked at other buildings in my area... most are way to expensive (700 K and up) and I found out it will be less expensive to build than to redo a building.

I have made several phone calls to find out what to do... and how to do it.

DCFS - My Licensing rep .. he was of great help!! I was informed by him my blue prints have to be done 1st and turned over to the fire marshal before anything can begin to avoid wasting my time and his.

I call R&R to find out need in my area - there is a need for infant toddler care in my area ... so that gives me an idea of what I need to specialize in.

If you are one of my parents reading this .. I have not formally announced this to any of you - sorry for that! I am not ready to announce until it becomes a full deal! This will be at least a 1 year process from the start maybe longer!

Why dont I just stay doing what I am out of my home? Well its a privacy issue for me. I feel like I have no private space in my own home. Plus I have always dreamed of having my own child care facility. I love decorating with the kids art work and love seeing lots of projects up .. in my home this is lacking for me ... I feel I can give a greater service in a center than in my home. Tax wise I wish I could just build a home and have a full basement designated for daycare! DISHWASHER AND ALL!!! lol


Things I have to do -
Find a lot
Get blue prints together
Find a builder
Talk to the RC building guy again
Start writing up contracts and handbooks for staff and parents

I will add to this as I find more things out .. I have an idea of the building I want to build... It has to have low windows .. and lots of NATURE!

I am trying to think of a name as well...

Do I use the name I have always used?

Barnyard Kidz I live in a farm community.

Or Do I come up with something more professional?

I am leaning towards the professional - the only thing is ....... I do not want to sound hospitalish! sterile!

My home town is "J" and the mascot at the high school is Panthers. I had thought of going with this... J Little Panthers

Then there is a Catholic High school near me Marquette Explorers -
I live in the river bend area .. where Marquette explored --
what about

Little Explorers?
where great minds are exploring ...

Any other ideas that is educational but kid wise?

I would love to hear from everyone else!

Deborah,

Congrats and Good Luck on taking such a big step! I don't know that I would ever have the courage to take it on! IMO, I would keep the name you have always had, I LOVE IT! I too live in the country and have loved your name since day 1!

Again, good luck! Keep us updated of the progress and inspire us!

Colleen

Congrats !!!! That sounds very exciting. The best of luck. The fire evacuating plan. Hum, Visio by microsoft would help draw that plan. It is expensive but at http://www.openoffice.org/ is a free software that will do the same thing. It is called Draw easy to use. You have to download the whole package to get it. It will make your drawing of your fire plans look like a pro did it. It's flow charting software. Well Deb I had my first experience at keep two babies a month apart for the last 3 months and all I can think of is how are you going to feed those hungry babies. LOL, so I am going to assume you will be looking into some hands free baby products. I have a podee nursing system works for 4 mo and older. A must have. I also like the the hands free for the carring seat it is recommended by Dr. Phill. Suppose to teach them to hold there bottles. I ended up making something that goes over your shoulder and holds the baby bottle so you can free you right hand up. (It's for newborns) You can feed two this way at one time. I preferr to hold and feed newborns - 4 months, older if there is just one. LOL your going to have howling babies. LOL I will come to work for you. I am again looking for kids to keep. Really what ended happening was I fixed the spare bedroom into a nursey Two cribs two of everything. I didn't like mixing anything blankets nothing. Toddlers so I asume 30 months and younger will be your age group. Now againg I am not DCFS Licensed so I can keep 3 kids. So now lets add 18 month to the picture LOL Now your know my day was bussy. Mainly your provideing care at all times. So, anything that helps with that extra pair of hands was really what I was looking for. Baby carriers, music, swings, and of couse crib sheets. That's something that gets changed every day. You can't get around it. Also I read lengthly artical about SIDS. The up shot of the articals was they believed the plastic smell from new crib mattress was the culprit. The smell of new platic is toxic. So I found my self washing crib mattress and rewashing. Hum, this smell is hard to get rid of. So I bought mattress cover that whole mattress goes in. So alot to think about. Need any help just ask. Brain storming ... By the way I like BarnyardKidz. Barnyard-Kidz-Center (just like that) is what I really like. Perfect for SEO (search engine optimism) and such. Logo could have a baby panther named J in it. Just a thought

Greta

Greta thanks so much!!!

You are full of ideas .> I will have to look at these products I would worried they would be considered PROPPING the bottle which is against licensing. but again good ideas! I have decided on keeping my Barnyard Kidz name but am going to have a catch line - not sure what yet...

FUnding - GRANTS right now are important ...

Greta send me a email I dont know your back ground but if you are really interested in working for me - Let me know!!!

as far as babies I have 4 right now -- this is my age groups as of right now
2months, 10mo, 11mo, 15 mo, 2, 3,4,4,4,5,6,7
I think I counted everyone!
I do have an assistant and am licensed as a extended family daycare home ... My phone is ringing on a regular basis - babies are such a need in my area ... everyone is full with babies and they are not taking anymore!

Boy,

I leave for awhile and Ms. Barnyard is busy!!! I think it's a great idea, you have so much to offer the kids and parents in your area!! I wish you the best!

This is crazy ya all seriously crazy --- FUNDING is a issue!!

I have some papers to read through a banker willing to work with me and knows how to "hide" the 20% into something else ... I might have something in the works before you know it ..

Does anyone know about a private partner? or a Silent partner?

SBA is the first step I suppose -

am loosing my happy thoughts on all of this right now!

Will post more when I can think more positively on it!

I went to a SBA meeting .. I suggest anyone who needs funding .. or is thinking of owning their own business check into this organization .. I learned soo much in the 2 hour meeting I went to!!

I'm really excited for you ! It's a big step but a fun one. I'd love to be able to shut my doors and have some family space. Living around daycare, even if the kids aren't here, living with your JOB and things that remind you of your JOB, sigh isn't always fun.

exactly ... if anyone has a space they can set aside just for the kids to be in and you can close the door at the end of the day - I say do it! Sometimes I feel I dont have privacy to my personal space .......... most people dont realize when they leave their office space .....the coworkers and bosses dont come through their home and check on them!