{"id":345791,"date":"2025-11-07T12:41:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T17:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?p=345791"},"modified":"2025-11-07T12:41:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T17:41:24","slug":"running-a-daycare-safely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/home\/security-systems\/running-a-daycare-safely\/","title":{"rendered":"Running a Daycare: How Safety Measures Can Be Your Competitive Advantage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Starting a Daycare is Becoming More Popular<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting an in-home family child care (FCC) business appeals to many parents because local demand for licensed infant and toddler care far exceeds supply, FCC offers flexible hours that align with shift work, and home-based programs are typically priced below center-based care. National analyses show that many states have only about 50\u201360 licensed child care slots for every 100 children under age 6 with working parents, and roughly half of Americans live in \u201cchild care deserts,\u201d underscoring persistent unmet need\u2014especially for infants and toddlers who are often served in FCC homes (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Child Care Aware of America 2024<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/childcaredeserts.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">CAP \u2013 Child Care Deserts<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michelle Williams, an in-home family daycare provider in a rural Minnesota town, started her daycare because she wanted to be home with her kids, while also contributing to the family&#8217;s income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I had my daughter, I missed her every day when I went to work. I wanted to be home with my own kids and raise them, but to make it feasible for me, I had to open my own business. I knew I couldn\u2019t work from home online or on the computer, because that was not what I wanted. So, I started a daycare, and I enjoyed every moment of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n  <style>\n    .myFinance-widget {\n    min-height: 670px;\n    }\n  <\/style>\n  <div class=\"myFinance-widget\" data-widget-id=\"7c9fe833-dde7-4eb5-b71f-d741b8cccd66\" data-campaign=\"reviews-non-monitored-security\"><\/div>\n\n<script async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"myFinance-widget-script\">\n  !function () {function e() {var s = \"myFinance-widget-ad-script\";if (!document.getElementById(s)) {var e = document.createElement(\"script\"), n = document.getElementById(\"myFinance-widget-script\"), a = t + \"widget\/myFinance.js\";e.id = s, e.type = \"text\/javascript\", e.async = !0, e.src = a, n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n);}var c = \"myFinance-widget-css\";if (!document.getElementById(c)) {var d = document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")[0], i = document.createElement(\"link\");i.id = c, i.rel = \"stylesheet\", i.type = \"text\/css\", i.href = t + \"widget\/myFinance.css\", i.media = \"all\", d.appendChild(i)}}var t = \"https:\/\/static.myfinance.com\/\";document.attachEvent ? document.attachEvent(\"onreadystatechange\", function () {\"complete\" === document.readyState && e()}) : document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", e, !1)}();\n<\/script>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The continuing demand for daycare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the country, licensed supply does not keep pace with family need. In many states there are only about 50\u201360 licensed slots for every 100 young children with working parents, and <a href=\"https:\/\/childcaredeserts.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">around half of Americans live in child care deserts<\/a> where there are far more children than available slots. State dashboards also show infant\/toddler openings are the scarcest and fill fastest\u2014patterns that increase demand for FCC homes (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dcyf.wa.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Washington DCYF child care data<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/health.oregonstate.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Oregon child care deserts<\/a>; national context from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Child Care Aware of America 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Daycare is also expensive and remains a top household expense nationally (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">CCAoA 2024<\/a>). In-home family daycare typically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/wb\/topics\/childcare\/childcare-prices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">costs less<\/a> than center care across age groups, according to the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s National Database of Childcare Prices, which documents systematically lower median prices for home-based care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A lucrative business option for stay-at-home parents<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Post\u2011pandemic, many communities continue to report fewer licensed FCC homes than before, particularly for infants and toddlers, even as demand stays high. National research notes ongoing pressure on FCC supply and heavy reliance on FCC in rural areas and for nontraditional-hour care (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">CCAoA 2024<\/a>; county and state evidence from <a href=\"https:\/\/health.oregonstate.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Oregon<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dcyf.wa.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Washington DCYF<\/a>). This shortage creates opportunity for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalancesmb.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">stay-at-home parents<\/a> who want to start a small business that meets a pressing local need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Total industry revenue has also grown. The U.S. child care services market is estimated at about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">$65 billion<\/a> in 2025, up from roughly $60.4 billion in 2023 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandviewresearch.com\/industry-analysis\/us-child-care-market-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Grand View Research<\/a>). Employment in child day care services has recovered above pre\u2011pandemic levels, reflecting restored capacity and demand (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">BLS CES series<\/a>). Analysts expect continued nominal growth as public funding and employer partnerships evolve (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketwatch.com\/press-release\/2019-usa-daycare-marketchild-care-industry-size-growth-and-trend-analysis-2019-05-30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">predicted the industry<\/a>; see also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandviewresearch.com\/industry-analysis\/us-child-care-market-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">market outlook<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finding a safe place for children to grow and learn<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of daycare reach far beyond just having a place for kids to go while parents are at work, however. The focus of many daycares has shifted from simply caring for a child to caring for the developmental needs of a child. This shift is important, because the experiences a child has in the first few years of life greatly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/early-childhood\/reports\/2017\/02\/13\/414939\/quality-101-identifying-the-core-components-of-a-high-quality-early-childhood-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">impacts brain development<\/a> and shapes future learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experienced daycare centers understand this impact and use their curriculum to enhance the developmental needs of the children in their care. Health, safety, and learning quality standards commonly draw on national guidance such as <a href=\"https:\/\/nrckids.org\/CFOC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Caring for Our Children<\/a> and state licensing rules aligned with federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) requirements for training and ongoing monitoring (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-45\/subtitle-A\/subchapter-A\/part-98\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">45 CFR Part 98<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A focus on safety can distinguish you from other businesses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When selecting a daycare, parents are also seeking a safe place for their children to be while they are at work. Keeping our children safe is more of a concern now than ever before, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kiro7.com\/news\/local\/man-threatens-to-shoot-kids-at-5-edmonds-daycares-police-investigating\/907959434\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">reports of threats<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/weartv.com\/news\/local\/kids-discovery-daycare-in-milton-under-investigation-after-child-breaks-her-leg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">suspicious accidents<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news5cleveland.com\/news\/local-news\/investigations\/unreported-daycare-centers-fail-to-report-hundreds-of-serious-incidents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">child deaths<\/a> appearing in the news.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parents.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Health and safety issues<\/a> have experts advocating for better-trained staff and increased regulations for daycares, and the use of technology to increase security can offer much-needed peace of mind to parents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By focusing on safety and security when starting a daycare, you can distinguish yourself and serve the market in a unique way. To get started, you&#8217;ll need to ensure your daycare adheres to state regulations. These regulations <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/early-childhood\/reports\/2017\/02\/13\/414939\/quality-101-identifying-the-core-components-of-a-high-quality-early-childhood-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">provide a minimum standard<\/a> that all daycares must meet. For providers participating in CCDF, federal rules require comprehensive, fingerprint\u2011based background checks, core health and safety training (including safe sleep, CPR\/First Aid, medication administration, and emergency preparedness), and written emergency plans with drills (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-45\/subtitle-A\/subchapter-A\/part-98\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">45 CFR Part 98<\/a>). From there, you&#8217;ll want to ensure additional home security measures are in place, which we&#8217;ll cover later on in this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For help locating appropriate authorities and for general guidance on starting your business, contact a nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/americassbdc.org\/small-business-consulting-and-training\/find-your-sbdc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Small Business Development Center<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.score.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">SCORE Chapter<\/a>, or your local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\/about\/child-care-resource-referral\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Childcare Resource and Referral Agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Daycare vs. childcare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference between the terms &#8220;childcare&#8221; and &#8220;daycare is subtle, and people use them interchangeably. However, they have two very different meanings. <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/us\/dictionary\/english\/childcare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Childcare<\/a> is care for children provided by someone other than the parent, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/day%20care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">daycare<\/a> is the <em>supervision<\/em> of children during the day, by someone other than the parent. They sound like the same thing, but they are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Childcare can really be defined as two things: the type of care a child receives and the quality of care provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, there are many types of childcare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>In-home family daycares<\/li><li>Daycare centers<\/li><li>Nannies<\/li><li>Relative care<\/li><li>Babysitters<\/li><li>Au pairs<\/li><li>Preschool programs<\/li><li>After-school programs<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The term &#8220;childcare&#8221; also sheds some light on the quality of care provided. Using &#8220;childcare&#8221; instead of &#8220;daycare&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rasmussen.edu\/degrees\/education\/blog\/childcare-vs-daycare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">highlights the developmental needs of the child<\/a> and not the parent\u2019s need for convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The term &#8220;daycare&#8221; applies to a specific type of childcare, and it also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rasmussen.edu\/degrees\/education\/blog\/childcare-vs-daycare\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">refers to a time<\/a> when the childcare industry was less professionalized. Many childcare providers have Master\u2019s degrees in Early Childhood Education, so to them, the term &#8220;daycare&#8221; can feel a little dismissive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For your in-home daycare, it&#8217;s fine to use the term &#8220;daycare,&#8221; but you&#8217;ll want to stress to parents that what you&#8217;re offering is quality childcare in an in-home setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proper licensing considerations when running a business from your home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Licensing requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to contact your state licensing office. The best place to start is with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\/about\/child-care-resource-referral\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Childcare Resource and Referral<\/a>, or you can click on this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\/resources\/map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">map<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common steps to become a licensed daycare provider include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Complete an application for licensure<\/li><li>Complete a background check<\/li><li>Complete a home inspection<\/li><li>Some states require the provider to meet a minimum education level or to take certain classes<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>In practice, states incorporate CCDF-aligned requirements such as comprehensive, fingerprint\u2011based background checks and disqualifications (45 CFR 98.43), pre\u2011service and ongoing health and safety training (safe sleep, CPR\/First Aid, medication administration, infection control, and emergency preparedness), and documented emergency plans and drills (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-45\/subtitle-A\/subchapter-A\/part-98\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">CCDF regulations<\/a>). Many programs also align policies with national standards in <a href=\"https:\/\/nrckids.org\/CFOC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Caring for Our Children<\/a>, and follow current public health guidance such as the CDC\u2019s consolidated respiratory virus guidance for schools and child care (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/guidance\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">CDC 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to stand out from the competition, you may also want to become accredited. Accreditation shows parents that you have reached a higher level of quality than a typical licensed daycare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get started, contact your local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\/resources\/ccrr-search-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Childcare Resource and Referral<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naeyc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">National Association for the Education of Young Children<\/a>, or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nafcc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">National Association for Family Child Care<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to take licensing one step further is to find out if your state offers quality ratings. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\/families\/child-care-quality-ratings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Quality Rating and Improvement System<\/a> is a system that helps parents understand the level of quality in a childcare setting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Important Items to Consider When Starting a Successful Daycare\/Childcare Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that needs to happen before you ever open your doors for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Create goals and a business plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of your first tasks when getting started is to set goals and create a business plan. Do you eventually want to scale to a larger business? What are your financial goals? Envision the future of your business, and then get started working toward those goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiring staff and taking on more children<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When your business grows to the point where you find yourself turning children away, it might be time to hire another childcare worker. This person can be another childcare provider or an assistant who works under you. You can also consider hiring a substitute provider for the days you need time off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to care for more children, you need to pay special attention to the child-adult ratio for your state. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcare.gov\/index.php\/consumer-education\/ratios-and-group-sizes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">federal guidelines<\/a> are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>3-4 infants per adult<\/li><li>3-6 toddlers per adult<\/li><li>6-10 preschoolers per adult<\/li><li>10-12 school-aged children per adult<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Set your financial goals<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>An important part of your business plan is establishing your financial goals. Set realistic goals for your childcare business, keeping in mind that most small daycares net <a href=\"https:\/\/careertrend.com\/facts-7459726-much-money-daycare-owner-make-.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">varies widely by state and enrollment<\/a>. Use local market prices and age\u2011group demand (see the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/wb\/topics\/childcare\/childcare-prices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">National Database of Childcare Prices<\/a>) and recognize that the national child care market is roughly $60\u201365B today (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">IBISWorld<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandviewresearch.com\/industry-analysis\/us-child-care-market-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Grand View Research<\/a>). Participation in subsidies and nutrition programs can stabilize revenue and lower family costs\u2014see CCDF provider enrollment steps through your state and USDA\u2019s CACFP (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">meal pattern requirements<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Potential grants that could reward you for starting a daycare<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The Community Development Block Grant<\/li><li>The Community Facilities Grant Program<\/li><li>The Child Care Development Block Grant<\/li><li>Child Care Food Program<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Utilizing safety in the home to distinguish yourself from the competition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many ways you can set yourself apart from the competition. Offering a unique service, meeting the needs of your families, and focusing on safety in the home are great places to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Research and find opportunities in your community<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to parents and find out what they need in a daycare. What are some childcare services they&#8217;d find valuable, yet they&#8217;re unable to find? What services are other daycares offering? What needs do their parents have?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michele Hutchinson, Director of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Discovery-Place-Early-Learning-Center-134563029929010\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Discovery Place Childcare Center<\/a>, states parents have many concerns when signing their children up for daycare. \u201cThe themes I have noticed through the years are: a safe environment, caring providers, educational experiences, hours open\/closed, other children\/families that are also attending, like values in child-rearing or acceptance of the family preferences (customs, religion, foods), and last but NOT least affordability.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can find out the common needs of parents in your community, you can offer services that provide them with solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, consider some of the following services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Hold extended hours: <\/strong>Often parents need to fill unique care gaps, and offering extended hours can be a solution. If you do end up offering services that extend into the evening, consider using security cameras, doorbell cameras, and email\/text options to ensure the appropriate adult is picking up the child.<\/li><li><strong>Accommodate special dietary needs: <\/strong>Whether a child has food intolerances, life-threatening food allergies, or dietary preferences, such as eating vegan, offering special dietary menus and being food allergy aware can set you apart. Consider providing a checklist during the registration process, so both the parents and caretakers are taking measures to ensure the health and safety of each child.<\/li><li><strong>Care for children with special needs:<\/strong> Does a child have specific triggers or behavioral patterns that you, as a care provider, should be aware of to ensure you&#8217;re offering a safe environment for all of the children in your care? Upon intake, it&#8217;s important to learn about any behavioral issues and\/or special accommodations a child may need.<\/li><li><strong>Promote and provide accurate insurance for your business:<\/strong> Unexpected bumps and bruises are a common occurrence with children. However, sometimes serious accidents happen, setting you up for a lawsuit. To protect yourself, and to reassure parents, you need liability insurance for your business. In fact, most states require you to carry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amfam.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">home daycare insurance<\/a> in order to maintain your license.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Provide safety measures throughout the home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents want to know that when they drop off their child, they are going to be happy and safe, so it\u2019s important to get this message across. Safety can be your unique selling point and a <a href=\"\/home\/security-systems\/best\/\">home security system<\/a> can make it happen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Set up security cameras<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Security cameras can give both parents and providers peace of mind. The mere presence of cameras deters criminals when displayed in prominent areas, and when an unexplained incident or accident happens, cameras allow staff to review the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Technology allows for daycare providers to monitor the areas where care is provided via video. This does not replace actual supervision, but is intended to aid in the review of the care provided.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some parents appreciate access to a live video feed, where they can watch what happens <strong>inside the daycare<\/strong> at any given moment. Parents will usually be able to access this live stream from an app on their phone or computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While live streaming a child\u2019s care can be reassuring for many parents, others may worry about privacy laws.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are some big arguments based on children privacy laws lately as we are becoming a society that can seriously impact on any privacy a child may have once they have access to the internet,\u201d advises Andrew Taylor, the Director at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netlawman.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Net Lawman<\/a>, \u201cI think the benefits outweigh the negatives in these situations, however.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an age where everyone is equipped with video recording, it can be tricky to determine what is legal and what is not.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally speaking, it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawyers.com\/legal-info\/personal-injury\/types-of-personal-injury-claims\/child-photography-or-videotaping-consent-laws-are-changing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">is legal to take photographs or to film children<\/a> without parental consent in a public setting like a park, or for editorial purposes, such as an image meant to accompany a newspaper article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It gets a little tricky inside your in-home family daycare, however. According to David Reischer, Esq., Attorney and CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/business-law.legaladvice.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">LegalAdvice.com<\/a>, \u201cThe laws for how and what you can record on a video feed without consent do vary from state to state. Some states do not require a person to get consent or notify them of the existence of a camera recording device, but some states do mandate notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you will be photographing, videoing, or live streaming children in your care, keep <a href=\"https:\/\/greatermanchesterscb.proceduresonline.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">written parental consent on file<\/a>, along with written policies that clearly spell out what the photographs, videos, and live streams will be used for, including who has access to the footage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are live streaming, you need to set it up in a way so that <a href=\"https:\/\/cultureofsafety.thesilverlining.com\/safety-tips\/video-monitoring-in-childcare-facilities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">only parents have access<\/a> to the live video stream. Bathrooms, private offices, changing rooms, and anywhere else that you would expect privacy cannot have cameras. Your written policies need to <a href=\"https:\/\/legalbeagle.com\/8527079-laws-video-surveillance-childcare-facilities.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">disclose the location<\/a> of all cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reischer adds, \u201cUltimately, it is important for the parents to determine the best course of action of whether they want their children recorded on a live video feed or not. Consideration should be given to whether the video or audio footage will be accessed by third parties. All parents will need to provide written consent before their children are allowed to participate in the live stream. The default is that a parent is automatically opted-out unless they decide affirmatively in writing to opt-in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Outside security cameras <\/strong>are a good idea as well, particularly in the play area. If a child gets hurt, cameras are useful not only for reviewing the cause of the incident, but also for reviewing how the incident was handled.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cameras can monitor sidewalks, the backyard, fencing, and any property openings, such as gates or driveways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Window sensors and doorbell alarms add another layer of security. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.org\/home-security\/best-smart-locks\/\">Installing keyless locks<\/a> on your doors can give parents instant access, while keeping out unauthorized people, such as delivery drivers. These systems can be disabled after hours, so that you do not have parents entering your home uninvited during non-daycare hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Utilize Alexa<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you run an in-home family daycare, you need to keep many logs, notes, and records of the children in your care, such as tracking eating and sleeping habits, or making note of major milestones.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexa can help with those tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use Alexa to record notes and set up alerts and reminders for yourself or for the children, such as when playtime is over, or when it\u2019s time for a bathroom break. Alexa can play clean up music or calming music during nap time. And, of course, it\u2019s easy to use Alexa for daily observations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ready to Start Your Own Daycare?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to start your own daycare, the best way to set yourself apart from the competition is to focus on your unique selling points, including the special accommodations you can offer, with a serious focus on safety and security.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do your research before starting out, create a safe, quality learning environment, and have fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Resources for starting an in-home family daycare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcare.gov\/consumer-education\/get-help-paying-for-child-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Childcare.gov<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbusiness.chron.com\/grants-starting-home-daycare-14778.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Grants for starting a home daycare<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acf.hhs.gov\/occ\/providers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Resources for childcare providers<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n  <style>\n    .myFinance-widget {\n    min-height: 670px;\n    }\n  <\/style>\n  <div class=\"myFinance-widget\" data-widget-id=\"7c9fe833-dde7-4eb5-b71f-d741b8cccd66\" data-campaign=\"reviews-non-monitored-security\"><\/div>\n\n<script async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"myFinance-widget-script\">\n  !function () {function e() {var s = \"myFinance-widget-ad-script\";if (!document.getElementById(s)) {var e = document.createElement(\"script\"), n = document.getElementById(\"myFinance-widget-script\"), a = t + \"widget\/myFinance.js\";e.id = s, e.type = \"text\/javascript\", e.async = !0, e.src = a, n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n);}var c = \"myFinance-widget-css\";if (!document.getElementById(c)) {var d = document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")[0], i = document.createElement(\"link\");i.id = c, i.rel = \"stylesheet\", i.type = \"text\/css\", i.href = t + \"widget\/myFinance.css\", i.media = \"all\", d.appendChild(i)}}var t = \"https:\/\/static.myfinance.com\/\";document.attachEvent ? document.attachEvent(\"onreadystatechange\", function () {\"complete\" === document.readyState && e()}) : document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", e, !1)}();\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Starting a Daycare is Becoming More Popular Starting an in-home family child care (FCC) business appeals to many parents because local demand for licensed infant and toddler care far exceeds supply, FCC offers flexible hours that align with shift work, and home-based programs are typically priced below center-based care. National analyses show that many [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":345808,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1286],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Running a Daycare: How Safety Measures Can Be Your Competitive Advantage - Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you decide to start your own daycare, the best way to set yourself apart from the competition is to focus on your unique selling points, safety included.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/home\/security-systems\/running-a-daycare-safely\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Running a Daycare: How Safety Measures Can Be Your Competitive Advantage - 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