U.S. Small Business Administration MP-29
HOW TO START A QUALITY
CHILD CARE BUSINESS
Management and Planning Series
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How to Start a Quality Child Care Business
replaces "Quality Child Care Makes Good Business Sense
Portions of this publication were reprinted with permission of authors: Kathy Modigliani, Marianne
Reiff and Sylvia Jones, authors of "Opening Your Door to Children: How to Start a Family Day
Care Program," Copyright 1987. All rights reserved. The material in this publication may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -- electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or other -- without the prior written permission of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
While we consider the contents of this publication to be of general merit its sponsorship by the U.S.
Small Business Administration does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the views and
opinions of the authors or the products or services of the companies with which they are affiliated.
All SBA programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
ASSESSING THE NEED FOR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
National Need
Community Need
IDENTIFYING YOUR REASONS FOR GOING INTO BUSINESS
Motivations
Personality -- Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Skills and Experience
Time Management
PREPARING FOR BUSINESS