Today's parents have many other responsibilities other than taking care of their children. They may have demanding careers and/or may be involved in different community or social projects. People with small children often place their children in daycare so they can fulfill these commitments. It is easy to see why daycare has become such a lucrative business. In Atlanta, the daycare business can prove equally promising. However, there are state guidelines that must be followed if you want to start and maintain a daycare in Atlanta.
Provide staff training. The daycare center must provide a comprehensive training regarding the daycare's policies, rules and assigned duties to all staff members before delegating any new assignments. During the first year of being employed, all direct-care staff has to complete a 10-hour childcare training program conducted by an accredited school or any source approved by the Department of Early Care and Learning.
Assemble the appropriate staff. The administrator must be at least 21 years old, the lead caregiver at least 18 years old, and caregivers/aides at least 16 years old. All must have the following qualifications: high school diploma (except caregivers/aides) or one year experience in childcare; CPR and first aid training for infants and toddlers; no physical disabilities that will hamper the job requirements; no record of being abusive or neglectful toward children; a clean criminal background check; and no false statements regarding qualifications.
Do not enroll a child if you cannot ensure his health and safety while he is at the center. You can only admit a child after his enrollment records are completed and meet the rules and requirements of the department.
Determine if your daycare will be a sole proprietorship, partnership, association or corporation. Submit an application for a daycare license to Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (see Resources). You can receive a temporary license for no more than a year if the daycare has met all of the department's requirements but hasn't enrolled any children yet, or if it has not fully satisfied all the department's requirements but has proven that it is striving to do so.
Get proper parental authorization for all relevant circumstances that could affect the child. Design activities appropriate to the child's age and developmental level. Follow proper and legal disciplinary actions when necessary. Provide children with meals and snacks, and be sure to adhere to the nutritional guidelines set by the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Keep individual records for each child. This includes name, sex, birthday and living arrangements; parents' identity, including home and work contact information; names of individuals to whom the child can be released to; emergency contact information; child's health-care provider information; immunization records and records of any physical or mental problems that the child may have; and documents of any incidents that require the attention of a medical professional.
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