Will the agency allow you to also take on private clients? If so, and if you really want to stay with the agency, find some private clients to help you get started. If you can't have private clients I would leave that agency. You can always look into another agency that will allow you to also have private clients. NEVER rely on any agency to help fill you up.

Remember it can take one to five years for you to be known and become full. With the new laws it can be very hard to get full and with alot of parents wanting preschool its can be very hard to stay full.

Business License - you don't require one. I got one because I am in it for the long haul and I feel it makes me look more professional. (if you want to run a business, do it right). But at the end of the day it is up to you to decide if you want one or not.

Police checks - personally I think they are a waste of money, that being said yes I have one, so does my husband and my mother who comes over now and then during daycare hours.
If I was to voluntary or work with kids elsewhere I would have to have one. So again if your going to do the business do it right (professional).