If you adore kids and you’re considering a career in daycare, you probably have a lot of questions — and that’s a good thing! Child care may seem simple, but there are actually a number of things you should know and consider before you get into this business. Aside from the genuine passion and love for kids, you should meet certain qualifications depending on the type of daycare and/or early childhood education career you wish to pursue. This is why asking questions such as “do I need a license to babysit in my home?” or “do I need a teaching license to become a daycare teacher?” and finding answers to these questions are the first steps you should take.
In this post, Brightside Academy Ohio Daycare shares the basic things you need to know about entering a career in daycare of early childhood learning.
Home-Based Daycare vs Daycare Center
If you’re wondering how to start a daycare or how to join a daycare, a good way to start is to differentiate home-based daycare from a daycare center. This will help you determine which type of daycare you want to get into.
In general, what sets home-based daycare and a daycare center is the child care setting. In-home daycare is provided by a professional child caregiver in their home or any private residence. A home-based daycare gives a child a more home-like environment.
Meanwhile, a daycare center has a more institutional or structured setting. Put simply, it inspires a learning environment. A daycare center aims to serve as an early introduction and familiarization to the actual classroom.
Starting a Home-Based Daycare in Ohio
If you’re interested in putting up a home-based daycare to help parents looking for a place to leave their children while they work, you should remember that Ohio child care laws regulate home-based child care facilities in a number of criteria. Among the most important factors looked at are the number of children that will be under your care as well as their ages, and if you plan to run the business through public funding or private payments.
If you’re asking, “do I need a license to babysit in my home?” the answer is it depends. Depending on the number and ages of children you will take into your home-based child care, you will be required to obtain a license based on the number of children you plan to take into your home-based childcare center, as well as their ages. However, besides licensing requirements, you also need to ensure that your place is conducive to proper childcare. You may also need to hire someone to assist you if needed.
Furthermore, the state of Ohio recommends that home daycare providers acquire two voluntary accreditations. These will help establish the security and quality of your home daycare and invite more parents to acquire your services.
Joining an Ohio Daycare as a Preschool Teacher or Staff
If you want to pursue a career in childcare, a great option is to join an Ohio daycare such as Brightside Academy Ohio. The qualifications for joining a daycare as a staff member are simple. You should be at least 18 years old and have at least a high school education. It is also preferable that you complete a training program approved by the state’s Department of Human Services.
Meanwhile, if you want to join as a teacher, you need to have a bachelor’s degree related to education. You also need to pass examinations and complete your certification application. For a more detailed guide, check out our previous post: How to Become a Teacher in Ohio – A Definitive Guide.
Jumpstart Your Early Childhood Education Career at Brightside Academy Ohio Daycare
If you share our passion for providing Ohio kids high-value early childhood education and care, we invite you to join our team! We are constantly on the lookout for new teachers and staff. We also offer a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential program for teachers who are just starting their careers. You can apply online or contact us to learn more about working with Brightside Academy Ohio.
