Caring for the Kids with Daycare Insurance

Who doesn't love kids?
For someone who is considering taking on a business that is both fun, never boring, and will still bring in the bucks, opening a daycare may sound like a very appealing option. If hearing the sound of soft giggles of kids having fun is right up your alley, then setting up this kind of business either from your very own home or on a different location is definitely for you.
The need for insurance

One major thing to consider in running a daycare business is that you are dealing with people - kids, even. When dealing with people, safety cannot be compromised. While an ideal scenario would mean someone watching over your toddlers constantly and without fail, this is not always the case.

Various theories in education will tell you that for real learning to take place, kids need to explore things for themselves and learn for themselves. Let them go, and watch them grow, as they say. A child's experience in a daycare fits nicely into this framework, as kids are allowed - and even encouraged - to roam around a hopefully safe setup so that they may try things out on their own. This doesn't only encourage learning- it also boosts creativity and interaction among other kids their own age.

The only downside to this free-for-all setup is that it can sometimes compromise safety. While the best daycare environments would try to prioritize safety and protection for the sake of the vulnerability that are our kids' well being, accidents are accidents, and accidents happen. Playthings are made with utmost consideration to kids' protection, most daycares are equipped with child-friendly surfaces, but even with these safeguards in place, untoward events are inevitable.

This, among others, necessitates the need for insurance for your daycare business. You are dealing with fragile lives, after all. While an injury or two may seem inconsequential, if not approached judiciously, they can compromise your business in a major way. Does a home daycare business still need insurance?

Some people may opt to put up their daycare business from their own homes thinking that their home insurance policy will most likely cover it. You may be in for a surprise, however, if you take a look at the fine print and notice that most standard homeowner's insurance policy exclude daycare centers (or other home-based businesses, for that matter). Therefore, you might want to consult with your agent from the insurance company just to be sure. There are also some legal details to consider as there might be some differences from state to state regarding insurance of home-based businesses.

The safeguards of daycare insurance
A typical daycare insurance covers all major injuries or accidents that might occur while these kids are under your watch. Most would also cover your daycare staff (which can very well be you or your loved ones) for any untoward events. The good thing about these policies is that they cover everything regardless of whether the accident happened during a supervised activity or not. In addition, these policies would normally cover transportation to and from these activities, whenever they are applicable.
There are also other differences among available policies. These range from what kinds of injuries they cover, how long would the benefit period be from the time of the accident, or whether or not it includes dental treatments. So be meticulous when going over your options.
With these safeguards in mind, it should give you the peace of mind that the laughter from your kids (and their parents) will not turn into a disgruntled frown should something unexpected ensues. Just make sure that a daycare insurance policy is comprehensive, thorough, and something that would fit nicely within your needs.

On hindsight, a home-based daycare business is a business. Yet more than a business, it is a business that deals with people directly. When in doubt, it is best if you opt for the most definite course of action - getting a separate insurance for your daycare. When you protect your clients, you also protect your business.
by Althea Tan

Tags: Insurance, kids, daycare insurance