Meet Our Providers

Even with all of my experience, I’m not sure I could have opened Wee Play without NeighborSchools. It is so reassuring to have their help at each step of the process.

Deb Pacheco partnered with NeighborSchools to open Wee Play Infant Toddler Development in Gloucester, MA.

NeighborSchools logo

Programs@NeighborSchools.com

(617) 263-7500
Daycare Provider with Children
Daycare Provider with Children
Daycare Provider with Children
Get Started With Your Own Home Daycare

Beyond that, each provider and their program is beautifully unique—just like you!

Some come to NeighborSchools with 10+ years of experience in Montessori pre-schools. Others are certified early interventionists who are ready for the next chapter in their career. Others still are devoted mothers or grandmothers with a passion for childhood development. Some live in the same New England towns that their great-grandparents settled 100+ years ago, and others are recent immigrants from as far afield as Colombia, Ethiopia, or Bangladesh. Their stories, their dedication to children, and their ambitions to be small-business owners are what make them so special.

How to Start
a Home Daycare

Our 5-part guide will teach you how to get licensed in your state, start your business, and find your first families.

How to Start 

a Home Daycare

Get the Guide

In this section:

Family Child Care Orientation course, Online Trainings, CPR & First Aid, Physical Exam, Professional Registry, & Application.

4 - 8 weeks

Apply for Your License

The Ultimate Guide to Opening a Home Daycare in Massachusetts

Learn how

What's inside?

Use our guide as a starting point to launch your new business, find your first customers, and build the program of your dreams.

Get the Guide

FAQs & Answers in the Guide

5-Steps for Success

Home requirements & inspection

Get the GuideGET THE GUIDE

Setup Your Home

In this section:

Children’s Furniture, Play Spaces, Nap Spaces, Supplies & Materials, Preparing & Serving Food, Safety Measures, Health Measures, and Fenced / Safe Outdoor Space

3 - 6 weeks

Register Your Business

In this section:

Liability Insurance, Zoning Verification, DBA Certificate, Tracking First Business Expenses, Minimizing Taxes

2 - 3 weeks

Find Your First Families

In this section:

Taking Photos, Getting Testimonials, Creating a Website, Giving Tours, Creating a Contract, Taking Deposits, Processing Payments

4 - 8 weeks

Note: Sections 1 and 2 are different for each state, so be sure to select the right state when downloading the guide.

The continuity of care and this partnership that develops between a provider who works with the child for a couple of years and a parent, that’s the magic of it. We think this is the model for the future of child care in America.

NeighborSchools’ CEO talking with Time Magazine about why people are turning to home daycare

New Providers Just Like You

Experienced educator, who “always dreamt of helping children who don’t have it easy.”

Est. 2019

Ms. Ana

Ms. Martha

Apply for Your License

Setup Your Home

Register Your Business

Find Your First Families

Opening Day & Beyond

A Movement in the Making

New Providers

About NeighborSchools

Ms. Jennifer

Mom of 2, passionate about childhood development, ready to do it on her own.

Est. 2019

A Movement in the Making

NeighborSchools helps caregivers open and run high-quality licensed home daycares. Since 2010, one out of every five home daycares in the US have closed permanently, leaving families with fewer options for child care when they need it most. Child care centers charge parents too much, and pay educators not enough. Home daycare is the solution.

We started NeighborSchools in 2018 to turn the tides and help the best educators and caregivers successfully launch their very own programs.

We are a mission-driven company, based in Boston. Want to learn more? Send us an email.

Ms. Ana

Experienced educator, who “always dreamt of helping children who don’t have it easy.”

Est. 2019

Ms. Martha

Veteran nanny and loving grandmother, offering English-Spanish bilingual programming

Est. 2018

Your income will be based on how many children you care for and the daily or weekly rate you set for families. Most Providers think in terms of a daily rate, which can vary widely based on where you live.* For instance, in Massachusetts, some Providers charge $50/day/child, while others charge over $80. In starting a home daycare it’s important to remember that it often takes over 6 months to get licensed, and it can take another 6 months before reaching full enrollment.

* For a more accurate estimate of local rates, after downloading the Guide you’ll be invited to take a “Readiness Quiz” which will estimate your earning potential based on your zip code and other factors.

4. How much can I expect to make?

The licensing process is different in every state. Download the guide for your state to learn how it will work for you. In most states, it takes 2-3 months and involves online trainings, background record checks, a home inspection, and filing a lot of paperwork with the state licensing body. But some states do everything in an online portal, and others are still using paper and pen for everything, so it’s really all over the place!

3. How do I get a license?

You’ll need a license if you’re going to be taking care of other people’s children in your own home on a regular basis. In certain states, you’ll only need a license for 3 or more children. But getting licensed is recommended either way, because, among other things, you can’t get liability insurance without a license.

2. Do I need a license?

Most new Providers have real experience with infants and toddlers. Many are moms with young children at home, and others are early-childhood professionals who have been working with children for years.

Each state has different requirements for prior experience, so download the guide for your state.

1. Am I qualified?

About NeighborSchools

GET THE GUIDE

FAQs & Answers in the Guide

Opening my home daycare was a dream come true. I’m proud of my daycare and I know my parents appreciate me and my work.

Martha opened her home daycare in Dedham, MA in 2019.

GET THE GUIDE

5-Steps to Success

Opening Day & Beyond

In this section:

Developing a Schedule, Handling Mixed Age Groups, Creating Routines, Working with Parents, Getting to Full Enrollment

2 - 4 weeks

GET THE GUIDE