Day-care businesses
are responsible for the many duties of childcare.
Day-care businesses have numerous responsibilities that fall under categories of licensing, legal duties, regulatory duties and professional duties. Statutes set some of these responsibilities; others are agreed on in the contract between parents and day-care providers. Day-care businesses that also serve as pre-schools have additional, teaching-related responsibilities.
Legal Responsibilities
Day-care businesses have many legal responsibilities. By running a day-care business, you are legally responsible for children's safety on the premises; paying taxes -- you must report all income but may deduct business-related expenses; and paying wages and salaries associated with your operations.
Licensing Responsibilities
Day-care businesses can only operate with a proper license. The Department of Health and Human Services governs the licensing process. To acquire a license, you must prove to your state's health or social services division that you have experience working with children and no criminal history. Additional information is available at the Health and Human Services website, hhs.gov. Specific procedures related to day-care licensing are handled at the state level.
Regulatory Responsibilities
Day-care owners must manage employees, clients and children. Regulations for child-care generally vary from state to state. Some regulations for child-care businesses deal with staff-to-child ratios, supervision time and disciplinary limitations. Generally, the staff-to-child ratio required is no more than three children to one caregiver. In Texas, for example, there must be one caregiver per child in the program. A caregiver must supervise children when they are in the daycare's custody. Disciplinary methods are limited to verbal reprimands, seizure of toys and time-outs; federal childcare laws ban physical punishment like spanking and slapping.
Hiring Employees
Day-care businesses usually have several employees. Day-care owners are responsible for hiring employees experienced in childcare and pre-school teaching, when necessary. Hiring decisions must comply with regulations pertaining to staff-to-child ratios and pre-school education standards. A day care's staff must be qualified to perform whatever functions they advertise.
Responsibilities to Children and Their Parents
The ultimate responsibility of a day-care business is to the children and their parents. A day-care business must faithfully execute duties they agree to perform as part of the contract parents sign with them. Children must be supervised at all times. Staff must be qualified to work with children. Resources must be provided to make the experience enjoyable for students. Parents must be informed about any trouble their child experiences while at day care.
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