Quote Originally Posted by maplecare View Post
hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and the industry.

Looking to start a family business but needs to know the math and the investment involved.

Are there any resources or guide to getting your feet wet in this industry?
Hi. I hope this also helps. Start with positivism.

When I started I started very simple:
1. I thought to try it out and do my very best for only two years until my daughter was ready to go to school. My goal was first to make an income to support my family while I was at home. Second goal, to be patient and flexible as it was also new for me, I got the very basics first aid cpr, police clearance and an insurance to cover liability and home business (usually it can be included in your house insueance)

Someone very generous shared a three page point form contract (twenty years later I still using it.�� and still effective).

2.by doing my very best I decided to keep families happy, made great connection with them and If I ever decided that it wasn't what I thought or wasn't my field I wouldn't leave them stuck so my second goal was commitment for two years. If I liked it, then I would move forward to grow professionaly the childcare field.

3. As I was focused in my goals I didn't invested much in equipment or materials etc. I did my best using a lot resources from my community. Ex. Every three weeks I'll get books (usually expensive but free from the library and gives you a great variety; I still use the library books, cds, dvds, you can also dowload now), there are toy lending libraries in my area so I'll go aND get my toys from them (this helps you to try an decide which toys have a play value and are best to invest on, I had moms also donating things and extra clothing) So basically I started without investing any money in equipment. I'm very resourceful and people is always giving away things. Anyway, if I ever decided to close after two years it would be easier.

3. My program is based on hands on activities and recycling is a huge must for us and also parents were on board. (They got from their work load of used paper so we had a lot. Until now I only invest in paints, glue, sparkles etc. Basically every beginning of the year my budget is $30 to $50 perhaps unbelievable but true and we do arts and crafts every day. I use a lot natural materials.

4. I made very clear to parents of my group that basically children will get my attention 100%, we would engage in activities but I wouldn't use too many toys or fancy stuff. It will be hands on.

5. Another main goal I had was to offer only the very best and healthy choices in food. 20 years later still doing it. But also my group knows that I get a lot of nutricious meals based in seasonal products. So, I do a weenkly menu based on what I have found that week so, I do not stress out by following a monthly menu. I'm able to offer a weekly variety.

My program was busy because it was a bit different than other programs (20 years ago). And I started. I loved it and here I am 20 years later still working with the most basics.

My accountant still tells me to increase my expenses but, at this point honestly I think my program valuation doesn't come in how much I invest in materials, parents value the most all the love and patience you have for their children and on how you interact with them. I have gotten few good quality activities for them and still use the resources in my community.

I would suggest personally to set some goals, your philosophy and then you work towards building it.

It is very important to familiarize with the regulations of your province too. And then check the resources some provinces also have a starting business grant perhaps that would also help. You will enrich your program as you grow. I did it and it worked fine in my case.