Books and Resources to Start Strong
Starting an in-home daycare requires understanding child development, business operations, and licensing regulations. These books cover the practical and developmental foundations you need to run a quality program and a profitable business.
The Child Care Business Plan Workbook by Donna Coucouvanis
This workbook walks you through creating a formal business plan, setting rates, managing cash flow, and handling the financial side of daycare operations. It’s practical and specific to child care providers, not generic business advice. You’ll use this to project income realistically and understand your true profitability.
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards by AAP and NAEYC
This is the gold standard for health and safety in child care settings. It covers sanitation, nutrition, safe sleep, illness protocols, and emergency procedures. Licensing inspectors reference these standards, and following them protects the children in your care and your business liability.
The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies
Even if you don’t use a formal Montessori approach, this book teaches practical ways to set up your home environment so children can play and learn independently. This reduces your workload and creates a calm space where multiple ages can coexist safely. Parents appreciate seeing intentional, developmentally sound activities.
Opening a Family Child Care Home by Donna C. Hurley
This guide covers licensing requirements, setting up your physical space, establishing policies, and managing parent relationships. It’s written specifically for family child care providers and includes state licensing variations and real-world problem-solving.
Equipment You Need
Your home likely already contains much of what you need. The key is safety, cleanliness, and age-appropriate organization. Prioritize items that enable independent play and reduce setup time between children or activities.
Sleep and Rest Gear
- Crib or portable play yard: For infants and younger toddlers. Required for safe sleep by most licensing standards.
- Nap mats or cots: For toddlers and preschoolers. Choose stackable, washable options to save space.
- Fitted sheets and blankets: Multiple sets so you always have clean linens.
- White noise machine: Helps children sleep despite household sounds and supports transitions between children.
Shop portable play yards on Amazon →
Feeding and Kitchen Supplies
- High chair: Secure and easy to clean. Essential if you care for infants or younger toddlers.
- Booster seats: For older toddlers at regular tables. Space-saving alternative to high chairs.
- Divided plates and utensils: Child-sized, durable, dishwasher-safe.
- Bibs and burp cloths: Multiple sets, washable.
- Bottle sterilizer and warmer: Only if you serve formula or bottles.
- Step stool: Helps toddlers reach sinks for handwashing.
Safety Equipment
- Baby gates: For isolating stairs, doorways, or unsafe areas. Essential if caring for mobile infants or toddlers.
- Outlet covers and cord covers: Prevents access to electrical hazards.
- Cabinet and drawer locks: Keeps cleaning supplies, sharp objects, and medications secure.
- First aid kit: Stocked, accessible, and checked regularly. Keep one in your car too.
- Fire extinguisher and smoke detectors: Required by most licensing standards.
- CPR/AED training: This is a requirement, not equipment, but critical. Certifications are inexpensive and often offered locally.
Shop first aid kits on Amazon →
Toys and Learning Materials
- Blocks and building toys: Support development from 6 months through preschool.
- Sensory bins and manipulatives: Sand, water tables, sorting toys, and tactile activities.
- Books: Picture books, board books, and early readers. Update regularly.
- Art supplies: Crayons, markers, paper, paint, playdough. Use washable products only.
- Puzzles and games: Age-appropriate, with all pieces present.
- Dolls, action figures, and pretend play props: Supports social-emotional development.
Shop building blocks on Amazon →
Cleaning and Health Supplies
- Sanitizing wipes: For quick surface cleaning between children.
- Bleach solution or commercial sanitizer: For deep cleaning toys and surfaces daily.
- Hand soap and paper towels: Multiple stations throughout your space.
- Diaper pail: Airtight, easy to empty and sanitize.
- Tissues and wet wipes: Essential supplies you’ll restock regularly.
- Thermometer: For checking children’s temperatures.
Shop sanitizing wipes on Amazon →
Documentation and Administrative
- Sign-in/sign-out sheets or digital system: Licensing requirement for attendance and emergency contact.
- Incident report forms: Document injuries, illnesses, or behavioral issues.
- Child development observation notebooks: Track milestones for each child.
- Parent communication board: A bulletin board or whiteboard for daily updates.
What to Buy First vs Later
Your startup budget matters. Buy safety equipment and essentials first, then grow your toy and learning materials inventory over your first year as you understand which activities your children enjoy and which age groups you serve most.
- Month 1: Safety gates, outlet covers, cabinet locks, first aid kit, crib or play yard, changing table, high chair, basic toys (blocks, balls, soft toys), books, cleaning supplies.
- Month 2-3: Nap mats, additional seating, sensory bins, puzzles, art supplies, more diverse book collection.
- Month 4+: Specialty toys, outdoor equipment, dramatic play props, additional learning materials based on your enrolled children’s ages and interests.
New vs Used Equipment
Buy new for safety-critical items: cribs, car seats, mattresses, high chairs, gates, and safety locks. These have specific safety standards, and used versions may not meet current regulations or may have hidden damage. You can confidently buy used toys, books, nap mats, and furniture if items are clean, undamaged, and functional.
Second-hand sources like Buy Nothing groups, Facebook Marketplace, and local consignment shops for children’s items are reliable for toys and books. Always inspect items for small parts that pose choking hazards, cracked plastic, mold, or stains that won’t come clean. Test gates and locks to ensure they function properly. For higher-ticket items like changing tables or toy storage, used can save you 30-50 percent.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: Convenient, reviews help you compare, and Prime shipping is fast. Use the links provided.
- Walmart and Target: Competitive pricing on toys, books, and basics. Check in-store for better deals on larger items.
- Buy Nothing and Facebook Marketplace: Free or low-cost used toys, books, and furniture from your community.
- Consignment shops: Children’s consignment stores offer gently used toys, books, and gear at 40-60 percent off retail.
- Local licensing agencies: Many provide resource lists with vendors who specialize in child care supplies and understand your specific state’s requirements.
- Bulk suppliers: If you plan to scale to multiple children, Costco and Sam’s Club offer savings on paper products, diapers, and snacks.