Self assessment methods and applications

Self-Assessment Survey: Reflection

There are four types of state-regulated child care facilities, the first of which is a family day care operating from the home. Usually, the provider of a family day care center must obtain a license from the state and attend childcare classes if the children at the home exceed a certain number. This is the most informal type of child care setting. It has the advantage of having limited overhead, given that it is operated out of the provider's home, and if the business should fail, little money is lost other than the expenditures for child-proofing the home, obtaining a license and insurance, toys, and time. It has the disadvantage of drawing in limited revenue, having little potential for expansion, and also the children can damage the owner's home. This type of business seems most appropriate for stay-at-home mothers wishing to make some extra money by taking in their small children's friends during the day and would not sufficiently capitalize upon my previous academic and business knowledge and experience. Also, because homes are often remotely located, do not have catchy names, and because the business is small, it would not deploy my abilities as a salesperson working with the public, either. Usually such centers charge less money than professional day care businesses, and are sought after by people looking for bargain, safe daycare. A mother who was well-known and trusted to look after very small children might have an advantage running this business over a small business owner. Personal familiarity is likely to be the best way of encouraging trust in this type of center.

A group day care center may be operated for the use of an organization in-house (such as a company or a university) or may be open to the public. Its size is less limited than a home-based facility and its marketing relies upon generating commercial word-of-mouth publicity rather than relies solely upon the use of personal contents. It does make more financial demands upon the owner, as it is typically larger and requires renting and insuring an appropriate building. Hired staff can add to the enrichment activities offered to the children but this means that finding qualified teaching and supervisory personnel is essential Given the limited size of the facility and the fact that it would still not capitalize upon my previous business experience as much as I might like, this type of center might have many of the disadvantages of a home child care center, without significant advantages to justify the added expense.

Another option is to run a nursery school. This would be more intellectually challenging, as preschool preparation is often an integral part of these facilities. Also, it demands a more structured day, more experienced and competent teaching personnel, and often children stay longer at the site. Parents feel comfortable leaving their children in the care of others for longer periods of time when the children are older. For this business, advertising is likely to be more formal and less on a word-of-mouth basis than for a home or group day care center for young children, as parents wish to find the most competent individuals to prepare their children for entering school. This would be more ideal for my previous sales, marketing, and managerial experience. I would be able to make decisions about how to shape and have an impact on the children's lives.