UpNorth

Meet with the agency supervisor and get all the info. I think it will be very useful for you and come back here and post the terms and conditions of being with the agency. People have had lots of experience so will be able to give you helpful feedback but for it to be the most relative to you and this agency specifically, having that info will mean more accurate info based on fact, not others experiences with different agencies who may do things slightly different.

MsBell...I can understand why some people think going with an agency is the best start. I think it is down to fear. Fear of setting up a daycare and not filling the spots. There is this illusion that agency providers are some how more appealing than none agency providers but that is due to lack of knowledge on what being an agency provider actually means vs an independent daycare provider. An agency provider is still an unlicensed provider UpNorth, the agency holds the license not any of their providers. If there are lots of providers in your area, maybe to the parent who hasn't done their research, you will have an edge, until they clue in and realize that being with an agency is a false sense of security. You will still ultimately be competing with your local market based on cost, program and hours amongst other things.