Licensed family child care at home

Working parents in your neighborhood, plus families who get help with child care costs through state subsidy programs, where your state allows it.

Weekly or monthly tuition per child, often with a registration fee. Income depends on how many children your state's rules let you care for.

• Patience and warmth with young children
• Organized daily routines
• Clear communication with parents
• First aid and child safety awareness

• Licensing or registration rules differ widely by state and sometimes county, and some states allow a few children without a license. Check yours before you take any children
• Start-up costs add up: licensing and background check fees, CPR and first aid training, safety upgrades such as smoke alarms and gates, cribs, car seats if you transport children, toys and supplies, plus insurance. Your state's requirements decide the total
• Child care or general liability insurance and a homeowner's or renter's policy that covers business use
• Background checks, CPR and first aid training, and health and fire safety inspections
• Required adult-to-child ratios and age limits, which cap your income
• Long hours and little time off, so plan for sick days, holidays and backup care
• Zoning, home occupation permits and HOA or lease restrictions

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your state's requirements for licensing fees, training, safety upgrades, equipment and insurance. Check your state's rules to estimate your own total.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many children you care for. Required adult-to-child ratios and age limits cap your income, and hours are long.

Things to check: licensing or registration rules in your state and sometimes county, since some states allow a few children without a license; background checks, CPR and first aid training, and inspections; insurance; and zoning, permits and HOA or lease limits.