Question: I read your recent articles on preschool teacher and child advocacy. I want to work with children too. I live in Santa Monica and since I am currently caring for my own small children I may want to provide in-home daycare services for other children as well. Do I need a business license? How many children could I have in my home? How much could I charge for my services?
—Carol

Response: As you may know, in-home childcare providers care for infants and young children in their homes. They may also care for children before or after school. In-home childcare providers must establish a safe and clean environment for all the children and provide them with a variety of age-appropriate activities as well as food and rest periods.

Employment Outlook
Above average growth is projected through 2008. There is a great demand for early childhood care services. In-home day care providers advertise their services in local publications.

Fees
Family childcare providers in the Santa Monica area generally charge $125 to $175 per week per child, on a full-time schedule (8 hour-day). The starting rate for preschoolers is generally $150 and for infant care is generally $175. The weekly rate for the care of 3 children ranges from $375 to $525 and for 6 children ranges from $750 to $1050 per week. Overall, the earnings of these self-employed childcare workers vary depending on the hours worked, the ages of the children and location.

Training Requirements, Options and Costs

State licensing is required for childcare providers that allows for providing non-medical care and supervision to 14 or fewer children in for less than 24 hours. The steps involved in obtaining a license include attending a community care orientation, submitting an application (TB test, receipt of orientation certificate, proof of completing a 8-hour CPR class and a 7-hour first aid/health and safety class), criminal background check, and a pre-licensing inspection visit.

The orientation meetings provide extensive detail on state regulations and related information. The following is a meeting site in Culver City:
Los Angeles Northwest Child Care
6167 Bristol Parkway, Suite 400
Culver City 90230
(310) 337-4333
The application fee is $25 for a 0 to 8 child capacity and $50 for a 0 to 14-child capacity. The required background check requires a live scan of $29, FBI check of $15, and a child abuse index check of $14. The usual cost for taking a CPR/health and safety class is $10 if taken at a referred agency by Connections for Children. The referred class site for Los Angeles County Beach cities is at:
Connections for Children
612 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 452-3202
Contact: Sonia Madix
For further information regarding licensing requirements contact:
Child Care Licensing Office
Los Angeles Regional Office
12555 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 280
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(213) 430-5477
www.childcare.co.la.ca.us
Contact: Tonya Avila, Counselor
Other meeting sites include:
Child Care Resource Center
(818) 762-0711
Meetings at:
Van Nuys State Building Auditorium
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 135
Community Center, Rm I
320 Knob Hill
Redondo Beach, CA
Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Job Resources

The resource and referral agency, Connections For Children, provides referrals for parents/individuals looking for in-home child care providers. In-home day care providers submit a copy of their license and provide personal information including the location where the service childcare will be provided and number of children they are able to care for. Connections For Children also provides monthly workshops and classes on child development as a means of professional development and networking for day care providers.

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Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.