Research license requirements. In many states, individuals are limited in the number of children they can watch without a license, even if they are watching them in their home. To ensure that you don't run into any unexpected legal trouble, carefully research your local guidelines and, if necessary, apply for a license.
Select a space. Make sure your space is large enough to accommodate the number of children you intend to service, has a working bathroom and has dining facilities as the children in your charge may need to eat breakfast. For many, an in-home space will be sufficient.
Choose an age group to service. While you can service a variety of ages, doing so often proves challenging as you must balance different school schedules and departure times. To make it easier for yourself, select one scholastic age group, serving elementary, middle or high school students only.
Arrange transportation. If your school provides busing, you may be able to arrange for the children to ride the bus; however, you must contact your school's transportation office to ensure that there is adequate space on the bus route in question. If you can't bus your participants, purchasing a van may be necessary.
Plan a program focus. Many seek to make morning programs, like afternoon programs, enriching. To make your program helpful to participants, select a focus. For example, you could adopt a literary focus and have children read in the morning as they wait for the bus or an art focus by having them complete crafts each morning.
Set a fee. Particularly if you are serving breakfast, charging a fee may be necessary. Decide upon how much you want to charge so you can answer fee-related questions with ease.
Create an application. Include a section for information about the students as well as a section for contact information to ensure that you have all of the information you require to effectively care for the children who fill your program.
Advertise to potential parents. Spread news of your program via word-of-mouth, or place advertisements in family-friendly locations across town, such as indoor recreation centers that cater to youths.