J.C.
I say to go for the home daycare! I have ran an in home daycare for the past two years and have never regretted it! It took me about six months to get GOOD, STABLE children to watch, but I finally found them and I watched them all for the past year and a half. Here are some things that worked for me:
1. Start advertising NOW!!! This is the best time of year to get your customers, as families are moving, changing schools, etc.
2. Create a handbook that you can give your parents upon arrival. Put it in a folder, with other important papers like emergency contact information, food they eat, etc. I researched different preschools and daycares online and found information to include in my handbooks. You can also get forms that are VERY helpful on the State of Arizona Health Services website: www.azdhs.org(com?) Click on Office of Childcare Licensing, then click Childcare centers and under that tab it gives you a tab for Childcare Forms.
3. Create an area in your house for a 'classroom' Make it look like a 'real' preschool with a little table, shelves for toys and learning posters on the wall. Make it look as professional as you can. Gather any additional supplies needed from thrift stores and garage sales.
4. Advertise as much as you can on Craigslist. I put my ad on in the morning(before parents go to work), midday(lunch time for parents), and at about 5pm(so it is there when the get home) You will have to make a different ad each time, but it is worth it! Include pictures of your 'classroom' in your ad. To make reposting ads easier, I created a document in word and copied and pasted from that to make my ads look different, since Craigslist will only let you post one ad a day that is similar to another.
5. Contact Childcare Resource and Referral and get in their database. They also helped me get a fingerprint clearance card and CPR and First Aid certification.
I am no longer offering childcare out of my home as I just got a position as a preschool director, but feel free to ask me any questions and definitely let me know if you need any equipment or supplies, as I have a ton of stuff that I will no longer need:)