Family Child Care Program

KID-START is licensed by the Office for Children to offer home child care programs in the Merrimack Valley. Caregivers are self-employed and provide care in their own homes from infants to 12 years of age. Caregivers are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure that they meet government standards for quality programs and safety.

• ensure regular home safety inspections
• conducts unscheduled, monthly visits
• provides resources and training (including CPR, First Aid and program ideas for caregivers)
  
• offers support for families by qualified, professional child care coordinators during the selection period and while your child is in care

Thinking of becoming a family child care provider?

Are you tired of the rat race? Are you thinking about how to be home with your children and still earn a living? Or.....wondering how to pay the child care bill when your child is born? Maybe becoming a family child care provider is the career choice for you! To make an informed decision start by considering the demands and rewards of being a caregiver.

Being a family child care provider is a great profession with wonderful rewards. It is for individuals who enjoy being with children, who are energetic and fun loving, flexible and affectionate, and who have the desire to be their own boss and a business owner. It is a special opportunity to serve families and create a positive environment where children can play, feel safe, secure, and valued and develop into healthy individuals. Operating a home based child care business has excellent tax benefits as well, and eliminates commuting and other costs associated with working outside the home.

As much as child care is a rewarding career, think about the demands, too. Hours are long and the hourly pay is low, start-up can be a financial burden, and lots of giving and being depended on is required. There can be occasional conflicts with family life, a feeling your house is being taken over, a lack of daily contact with other adults, and needed skills and knowledge cover a broad spectrum from child development to operating a business.

KID-START wants to help you make an informed, confident decision and identify other important questions to ask. For example: What type of care do families need? What can I charge? How can I set up my house? We have information and services to help you decide and get you started and we can get you in touch with experienced caregivers. Call us today or send us an email!