| Introduction | |
| Part 1 | Managing Your Business Risks | |
| Chapter 1 | Understanding Your Business Risks | 1 |
| Five Strategies for Managing Your Risks | 2 |
| Chapter 2 | Getting Started As a Business | 5 |
| Comply with the Child Care Rules and Regulations | 5 |
| Set Up Your Business Properly | 9 |
| Chapter 3 | Reducing General Business Risks | 13 |
| Follow Safe Business Practices | 13 |
| Communicate Clearly with Parents | 15 |
| Communicate Clearly with Your Licensor | 19 |
| Carefully Screen, Train, and Monitor Your Employees | 23 |
| Chapter 4 | Child Abuse | 27 |
| You Are a Mandated Reporter | 27 |
| Reporting Child Abuse | 30 |
| Protecting Yourself from Allegations of Child Abuse | 33 |
| What to Do If You Are Accused of Child Abuse | 38 |
| Chapter 5 | Travel and Transportation | 43 |
| Field Trips | 43 |
| After the Children Leave Your Home | 44 |
| Enforcing Your Pickup Policy | 45 |
| Chapter 6 | Sick and Injured Children | 49 |
| Prevention | 49 |
| Documentation | 52 |
| Insurance | 52 |
| Handling Specific Situations | 52 |
| Sudden Infant Death Syndrome | 57 |
| Part II | Insuring Your Business and Yourself Against Risks | |
| Chapter 7 | Understanding Insurance | 61 |
| What Business Insurance Should You Have? | 64 |
| Chapter 8 | Business Liability Insurance | 67 |
| Who Is Covered? | 68 |
| How Much Coverage Should You Buy? | 69 |
| What Is Covered? | 70 |
| What Isn't Covered? | 74 |
| Other Considerations | 76 |
| If You Aren't Licensed | 77 |
| Business Liability Insurance Checklist | 78 |
| Chapter 9 | Other Business Insurance | 79 |
| Business Property Insurance | 79 |
| Vehicle Insurance | 84 |
| Employees and Workers' Compensation Insurance | 87 |
| Other Kinds of Business Insurance | 91 |
| Chapter 10 | Personal Insurance | 93 |
| Health Insurance | 93 |
| Disability Income Insurance | 94 |
| Life Insurance | 96 |
| Long-Term Care Insurance | 100 |
| Chapter 11 | Buying and Using Insurance | 101 |
| Paying for Insurance | 103 |
| Working with an Insurance Agent | 109 |
| Filing a Claim | 110 |
| Canceling a Policy | 111 |
| Part III | Handling Legal Issues | |
| Chapter 12 | Custody, Privacy, and Confidentiality | 115 |
| Child Custody Issues | 115 |
| Privacy and Confidentiality | 118 |
| Slander | 124 |
| References and Referrals | 125 |
| Chapter 13 | Disabilities, Discrimination, and Price Fixing | 129 |
| The Americans with Disabilities Act | 129 |
| Discrimination | 136 |
| Price Fixing | 140 |
| Chapter 14 | Barriers to Your Business | 145 |
| Housing Barriers | 145 |
| Strategies for Dealing with Housing Barriers | 151 |
| Financial Barriers | 155 |
| Chapter 15 | Working with a Lawyer | 159 |
| When You Should Consult a Lawyer | 159 |
| What to Do Before You Hire a Lawyer | 161 |
| How to Find a Lawyer | 162 |
| How to Work with a Lawyer | 164 |
| Part IV | Choosing a Business Structure | |
| Chapter 16 | Business Structure Options | 169 |
| The Four Business Entities | 170 |
| How to Choose a Business Entity | 173 |
| Chapter 17 | Business Structure Considerations | 177 |
| Record-Keeping Complexity | 177 |
| Business Fees | 179 |
| Control of the Business | 181 |
| Tax Implications | 182 |
| Liability Risks | 185 |
| Which Business Structure Is Best for You? | 188 |
| Considerations in Choosing a Business Entity | 189 |
| Conclusion | 191 |
| Appendix A | Sample Forms and Policies | 193 |
| Appendix B | Organizations and Resources | 197 |
| Index | 203 |
