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A daycare center is a business.
Like any business, it should keep good records, but what kind? What
makes it different from any other business around? Not much really,
except you have a select clientele. But what’s the difference between
you and other companies? Nothing much. You still have to keep
transaction records, receipts for tax day, receipts and records of day
to day expenses and such.
If you’ve zero to little experience
with record keeping, then this is the page for you! We’ll give you
simple tips on what records you should have on hand with your daycare
business.
Keep your licensing,
accreditation and other pertinent records in a safe place. This
includes your lease agreement (if any), deed to properties, copies and
originals of your daycare licenses and accreditations. Keep a copy at
your office or home and send others to the bank. That way even if
disaster occurs, you have your files safe with you or the bank has them
for you.
Keep records of daily expenses.
You can either put this into the computer at home or work. It
doesn’t have to be a complicated record—simply saving receipts and
listing a tally of daily expenses can go a long way. In the same manner,
keep bills, inventory and forms like insurance notices or things
like water and gas. This will come in handy with determining your
business expenses come tax time. It will also help you determine what
you can do without.
When you do file taxes, keep
records of tax forms and the amounts you have paid over the years.
This is simple bookkeeping for your business and a smart way of
doing it. It doesn’t matter if you do your taxes yourself or pay an
accountant to do it. Set aside a day every month where you look
everything over. Make sure you have copies of employee contracts and
checks. This are for your own safety as well as that of your
employees.
Client numbers and addresses,
this will help you keep track of new, old and current clients. A
list of emergency numbers and parent contact numbers by your office
phones or in an easily visible area should be handy during emergencies,
but the client numbers and addresses are for your business as well. Send
old, new and current clients brochures, flyers for current promotions or
special discounts. You never know when Mr. and Mrs. Smith will have that
next baby! This way you will always be remembered (and hopefully
considered as a first choice) by old and new clients.
Finally keep records on the kids
and curriculum you have. This will help you in remember if Timmy is
allergic to peanuts or that your Five Senses lesson didn’t go over so
well.
Keep your records neat and
accessible and you shouldn’t have any problems at all! This is one way
to keep your day care running smoothly. Having the necessary records
handy at all times saves you the hassle of either looking for them or
losing them when you need them the most.
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