Different states have different requirements for playground equipment and safety.
Owning a daycare is different than owning some other types of business. Because it involves caring for children, many aspects of the business may be regulated by various state and local agencies. When considering buying or opening a daycare, it is important to work with state and local regulators to ensure compliance with their requirements.
Facilities
The first step to owning a daycare is to find adequate facilities. The exact definition of adequate facilities will vary, depending on your location. State and local regulations may affect the choice of location and facilities. Depending on your locality, proper facilities might range from a private home with a yard to a large, commercial daycare space with an outdoor playground. In some cases, both facilities would be appropriate, but the number of children allowed to be cared for in a private home may be limited. If possible, check with state and local regulatory agencies before starting to look at a new location for an existing daycare or looking at buying a daycare that is already in a particular location.
State Licensure
Each state has different licensure requirements for home daycare and daycare centers. In some states, you may take care of a few children in your home without a state license. In other states, you will need a license even for home daycare with a few children. For larger centers, some states have specific square footage requirements per child. They may require a single toilet per specific number of children. Some states may require playground equipment and also may have specific safety requirements for that equipment and the playground area. When looking at buying an existing daycare or open a new business, it is important to know your state's requirements.
Local Business Licenses and Requirements
Some municipalities have additional requirements. Those requirements can range from a simple business license to more stringent requirements for daycare space and for the ratio of childcare providers to children. In general, if there are specific local regulations, they are more strict than state guidelines. As with state requirements, it is important to research local requirements when considering opening a daycare or buying an existing daycare business or center. In many cases, a local municipality may require the payment of registration fees, in addition to any fees assessed by state agencies.
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