Tips for Setting Up a Daycare Program in Connecticut
Over 4,000 daycare facilities operate in Connecticut under the strict supervision of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, which controls and manages the licensing of daycare centers and applies statutory laws and regulations that define the minimum standards for daycare operation.
Opening a daycare center in Connecticut involves several steps, requiring childcare operators to investigate staff qualifications and background and comply with state health regulations.
Here are instructions:
• Determine what kind of center you will operate. There are three types of daycare businesses in Connecticut - family day care homes that provide regular care for one to six children in private residences; group daycare home that provide care for seven to 12 children in private residences; and child centers that provide care for more than 12 children in non-residential locations.
• Contact the local zoning commission or planning board about your plans to open a daycare center. All centers in private homes are treated like other residences. Non-residential group centers can only operate in business areas that comply with the community's business zoning regulations.
• Interview and select the people who will provide child care in your daycare center. Collect information from them, including proof of age, employment history, health clearance, and training certifications that are required in the licensing application forms.
• Consult with your insurance agent to determine you have adequate liability insurance for owned or rented property and worker's compensation insurance for your staff.
• Fill in the required licensing forms and file them with the Department of Public Health.
• Submit to any background checks and site inspections that are scheduled by the Department of Public Health.
• At the conclusion of the investigations, they will issue a license that allows you to open a daycare center for business.
Also note that you must decide at the time of your application whether you will provide daycare for infants and toddlers as there are specific safety and facility regulations for these age groups that must be followed. This will have an impact on your site selection and employee training requirements.
Make sure you notify caregivers that they must submit to a thorough criminal background check and be fingerprinted during the licensing process.
If you enjoy working with children, you may be interested in opening your own daycare center. Follow the Connecticut Department of Public Health guidelines, pay a $200 licensing fee that covers your center for two years, and advertise your business in local newspapers, websites, and phone books to generate clients. Good luck.
Opening a daycare center in Connecticut involves several steps, requiring childcare operators to investigate staff qualifications and background and comply with state health regulations.
Here are instructions:
• Determine what kind of center you will operate. There are three types of daycare businesses in Connecticut - family day care homes that provide regular care for one to six children in private residences; group daycare home that provide care for seven to 12 children in private residences; and child centers that provide care for more than 12 children in non-residential locations.
• Contact the local zoning commission or planning board about your plans to open a daycare center. All centers in private homes are treated like other residences. Non-residential group centers can only operate in business areas that comply with the community's business zoning regulations.
• Interview and select the people who will provide child care in your daycare center. Collect information from them, including proof of age, employment history, health clearance, and training certifications that are required in the licensing application forms.
• Consult with your insurance agent to determine you have adequate liability insurance for owned or rented property and worker's compensation insurance for your staff.
• Fill in the required licensing forms and file them with the Department of Public Health.
• Submit to any background checks and site inspections that are scheduled by the Department of Public Health.
• At the conclusion of the investigations, they will issue a license that allows you to open a daycare center for business.
Also note that you must decide at the time of your application whether you will provide daycare for infants and toddlers as there are specific safety and facility regulations for these age groups that must be followed. This will have an impact on your site selection and employee training requirements.
Make sure you notify caregivers that they must submit to a thorough criminal background check and be fingerprinted during the licensing process.
If you enjoy working with children, you may be interested in opening your own daycare center. Follow the Connecticut Department of Public Health guidelines, pay a $200 licensing fee that covers your center for two years, and advertise your business in local newspapers, websites, and phone books to generate clients. Good luck.
