Welcome to Simply Daycare. If you are interested in starting a successful home daycare, this site is for YOU. Starting and running your own home based daycare can be accomplished both simply and affordably. Contrary to what others may have told you:

• You don't need expensive equipment to start a child care business.
• You don't need to purchase high priced kits to get the information you need.
• You don't need to take college level courses to be qualified.

The goal of this site is to make opening and operating your own home daycare business simple for the beginner. All the information you need to turn the idea of your own child care business into a reality is here. If you are interested in creating a safe, nurturing and educational environment for children, then you are in the right place.

From Lucy (Canada): I just wanted to say a big "thank you" for your website. I have been a dayhome provider for just a little less than a year. I came across your site while googling for new ideas for my childcare center. I actually wish I had visited before I started, since you provide such great forms and so many ideas!! I was glad to see that many of your suggestions are things that we already do, and I found a number of things that I would like to implement. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job with an informative and helpful site!! I have already put it onto my "favorites" list. Cheers.

Home based daycare is one of the few businesses that can be easily started without enormous upfront expenses. It is a business that you can build over time. Best of all, you'll notice the benefits right away.

• You will have the opportunity to spend more time with your own children.
• You will be your own boss with your own business and be able to set your own hours.
• You will have a positive impact on children and will be earning an income at the same time.

For those of you just starting out:

Click the links to your left, and find out how to get started. Learn how to:

• Easily (and cheaply!) gather necessary supplies
• Create your own parent contract and policy handbook
• Make your home child-friendly for fun and learning
• Set your fees
• Create the safest possible environment for children
• Handle bookkeeping and advertising
• Find free print-outs of all the day care forms you'll need

Both beginner and long-time home daycare providers will want creative ideas for keeping all those little hands busy and learning. Your goal is to make your own child care business unique and interesting. That's why Simply Daycare offers a large selection of activities. Here you will find creative (and low cost!) ways to make play and learning fun for all the children in your home daycare.

There are also those issues that all child care providers deal with. Look in the Daycare Tips section for assistance on potty training, building self-esteem, guidance issues, a special area for new providers and more.

Browse the site at your leisure. Take your time. Check back often as new items are continually being added. The information on this site will give you everything you need to know to start and continue to operate your own unique home based daycare.

Best of wishes on your new or current home based daycare.