"As the number of single-parent families and dual-income families grows, the need for quality child care grows along with it. This revised guide presents the latest trends, resources, and tools, along with sound advice from practicing child-care business owners to get them started on the path to success"--

"The experts at Entrepreneur Press guide readers through the steps of planning, starting, and running a successful child-care business. This guide has been revised with the latest trends, facts, and figures, along with an updated list of resources to help readers create a stable and enriching environment for child development, as well as a sound and profitable business. Readers learn how to: choose the type of child care program and services to offer; acquire the right licensing, permits, insurance protection, and state-specific child care licensing; analyze the market, asses the needs of the community, and match services to fit those needs; find the right location, or decide to operate from home; comply with safety regulations and child-care provisions of the Disabilities Act; consider zoning laws, space requirements, and legal determinations of offsite properties; calculate startup costs, get funded, manage finances, create a business plan, and account for the day-to-day operating costs; stay competitive in the market with low-cost marketing tactics; find, hire, and keep good employees in a high turnover industry; set policies, hours, and staff responsibilities; plan a program, communicate rules and policies to parents, and integrate nutrition"--