Who to use as references when starting out?

Since I'm just starting out I have no idea who to provide as references when parents ask. Only my family could speak truthfully and in any great depth about my abilities with caring for children and that's through seeing me with my own children or caring for all my nieces and nephews and younger cousins. I have friends that could talk about my personal character, but don't see me much with kids other than the occasional play date. And my former colleagues can only speak to my work ethic. It's been too way many years to use the families that I once babysat as a teenager. I don't even know where most of them are anymore. Any suggestions? Who did you use as references when you first opened your daycare (assuming that you didn't have previous experience in a daycare setting)?

In you case I would have 2 of each write a letter of reference. With kids, work ethic and personal character. then have those along with other relevant paper work (first aid, police check etc) in a binder for parents to look through when they come.

It might be enough to ease their minds without needing to call references.

I had the same problem when I started. I end up getting 3 family friends who know me when I was very young and watched me grow up to do character reference letters for me. I know ask my dc clients to write me a letter of reference once they have been with me for 4 to 5 months. This way I don't forget to ask when they are leaving.