Here are the most important resources created by Tom Copeland for family child care providers:

Tom Copeland's Resource Directory: This includes links to handouts and resources curated by Tom Copeland.

Tom Copeland’s Handouts:

Starting Your Business

The Business Side of Kith and Kin

Developing a Business Start-Up Plan

Ten Record Keeping and Tax Tips for the New Provider

The Tax Benefits of Becoming a Regulated Family Child Care Provider

Mastering Record Keeping & Taxes

Claiming Car Expenses

Common Family Child Care Business Deductions

Exclusive Use Rooms and the Time-Space Percentage

Hiring Family Members

IRS Tax Forms and Publications

Claiming Food Expenses

Requirements for Hiring an Employee

The Time-Space Percentage

Contracts and Policies

Coming to Terms How to Effectively Use Contracts and Policies with Parents

Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up

Ending the Parent Relationship

Enforcing Agreements

Four Key Tips on Contracts and Policies  

Holding Fees

How to Establish a Business Relationship with Parents

Parent Interview Tips 

Policy on Parents Transporting Their Children

Sample Contract Termination Language

Family Child Care Marketing in Financial Hard Times

Benefits and Features in Family Child Care

How to Compete Against Child Care Centers

How to Compete Against Unregulated Caregivers

How to Set Your Rates

Key Marketing Strategies

Marketing on the Internet

Legal and Insurance Issues

The Consequences of Incorporating

Custody Disputes

How to Prepare for an Investigation

Insurance for Family Child Care Providers

Protecting Yourself From False Accusations

The Real Risks in Family Child Care

Reducing the Risks of Running a Business

Three Key Legal and Insurance Tips

When Is It Safe To Talk About Child Care Rates

You’re Being Investigated… Now What

Money Management and Retirement Planning

The Basic Principles of Retirement Planning

Learning New Habits about Spending

Set Your Financial Goals

Where Should I Invest My Money for Retirement?

Tom Copeland’s Resources

Here are the four key organizations that every family child care provider should be connected to: Child Care Resource and Referral agencies - These non-profit organizations (many are now called Child Care Aware) refer parents to local child care providers. They offer training, technical assistance, information about grants and loans, and many other services. You can also call this number to find your local agency: 800-424-2246.

Family Child Care Associations - The national organization is the National Association for Family Child Care. Some states have state associations and there are numerous local associations.

Family Child Care Licensing agencies - Each state has its own rules about when family child care providers must be licensed or regulated. This is a link to the state agencies where you can find out how to contact your local county agency. There is also a link here to state licensing regulations.

Food Program Sponsors - All regulated family child care providers are eligible to join the Food Program. You will receive reimbursements for each nutritious meal you serve. Providers can expect to get about $560 or $1,170 per child per year for serving a breakfast, lunch and snack. You are always better off financially if you join.

Here are some additional resources that can help you be more successful as a business:

Child Care Law Center - This California organization offers a number of free downloadable publications on the Americans with Disability Act as well as publications for providers in California on insurance, ADA, and license-exempt care.

Childcare.gov - This is the official source for information on child care from the U.S. government. It contains business information under “Business Startup and Operation.” Although some of the information is geared towards child care centers, it does contain some useful information for providers.

Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) - This is a state by state program that rates family child care providers who meet a set of defined quality standards that are higher than state licensing standards. This site contains contact information for the more than 20 states that offer this program. Here's an article Tom Copeland wrote about QRIS.

Update: Here's a new link to the Michigan QRIS program. United States Small Business Administration Within the SBA is the Office of Women’s Business Ownership that oversees a network of Women’s Business Centers. These Centers offer business training, counseling and other resources to help women grow their business. Some of these local organizations help family child care providers. The direct link to the Women’s Business Centers in your state can be found here.

Family child care websites – There are thousands of family child care providers who have created their own website. These websites contain a wealth of information for providers looking for sample contracts, marketing ideas, program activities, and links to other resources on the Internet. To find these websites you can Google “family child care websites”.

Here are some websites that offer free sample contracts and policies and other forms: http://stepbystepcc.com/forms.html - This website also offers tax and record-keeping informationwww.childcarelounge.com/printform/printmain.htm