What are some of the tasks I need to complete to open up a daycare center?

Question

I have my own daycare facility that I run out of my house and I want to expand by opening a center. If there is anyone out there who has experience in this field, I would sure appreciate any words of advice.

Answer 1

The first step is to prepare a business plan. Even if you will not be applying for a bank loan, a business plan helps you to think through the process of moving from an in-home daycare business to a daycare center - what it needs, who it will benefit, how much it will cost, and what is its potential. Here are free business plans on childcare business that you may want to look into:

http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-30.doc
http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/BPWORKBK.pdf
http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/CDCPLAN.pdf
http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/sbic/bplans.htm

From the National Child Care Information Center "Starting a Child Care Center" http://nccic.org/poptopics/starting.html , here are the things you will need when opening a child care center (check the very useful resources and links on this page):

- Licensing requirements and professional standards;
- Legal requirements such as zoning, insurance, and taxes;
- Business plan for starting and operating a small business;
- Costs of center start-up and operations;
- Design of the facility, including appropriate use of indoor and outdoor spaces;
- Suitable equipment and materials;
- Staff recruitment, training, and compensation;
- Policy and procedures for staff and families;
- Health and safety issues, including accident and illness prevention and emergency procedures;
- Curriculum and schedule of activities that meet the needs of the children; and
- Connections with community services and organizations.

For in-depth information, I suggest checking out the following books:

- So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center by Gallagher
- The Business of Child Care : Management and Financial Strategies by Gail H Jack
- Family Child Care Contracts and Policies : How to Be Businesslike in a Caring Profession (Redleaf Press Business Series) by Tom Copeland
- Developing & Administering a Child CareCenter by Dorothy June Sciarra
- Family Child Care Marketing Guide : How to Build Enrollment and Promote Your Business As a Child Care Professional (Redleaf Business Series) by Tom Copeland
- The Daycare Provider's Workbook
- Opening & Operating A Successful Child Care Center -- by Dorothy June Sciarra, Anne Dorsey
- So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center :
Everything You Need to Know to Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program

Other resources you might want to check:

Child Care Business Magazine http://www.childcarebusiness.com/
National Association of Child Care Professionals http://www.naccp.org/

Answer 2

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Start & Run a Home Daycare by Catherine M. Pruissen
* Starting a Child Care Center: The Indispensable Guidebook for Starting a Day Care or Child Care Business by Millicent Gray Lownes-Jackson,
* Opening & Operating A Successful Child Care Center by Dorothy June Sciarra
* The Business of Child Care: Management and Financial Strategies by Gail H Jack

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

Go to fabjob.com Here are a little bit of tips from that site: Define what kind of daycare you want to establish, make sure you are aware of all health codes and fire hazard laws as far as space and safety goes, Make sure you have the money to give the kids, parents and yourself the assurance that the child is getting the best experience and learning and security at your daycare center.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

you want a school degree in early early life preparation, psychology, nursing, toddler and little ones CPR preparation, you may want to ascertain what percentage little ones are going to be accomdated by using your daycare center and employ those with educations such as your's at a care giver in line with little ones ratio as mandated by using your state guidelines. you want to have a construction that is insured and coded for an afternoon care. your position gained't artwork till you improve your property proprietor's coverage and characteristic adequate beds (snoozing centers) for all little ones on your day care. What you ought to value relies upon upon the section you're in and what day care centers in that section are charging.

Answer 5

learn how to change a diaper you have to be realley patient with kids and you have to let the parents know that your daycare is the right one for there kids

Answer 6

This may be helpful http://www.managementhelp.org/