Starting a Child Care Center
Child care centers is a business that will always be in demand. During this present time, in most homes, both parents and single parent families are working full time or two jobs. Thus, making it hard to find child care for their children, especially when their infants, toddlers or preschoolers. Meanwhile, there are parents and those of society that visually see this as an opportunity to start a child care business. When starting a business such as a child care center, there are policies and guidelines you must follow. I must also inform you that it will not be a simple task. However, starting any organization has never been an easy process.
When you decide to run a child care center. You must be passionate about helping young children and their families. Be comfortable being your own boss, with the skills and mindset to make your small business succeed. These are the steps you must follow to start building your child care center.
First, you must research your local government rules and regulations that will govern you as a small business owner and owner of a child care center. You want to strictly comply with both. To retrieve some of this information, you can search Child Care Aware of America's licensing guidelines. Then research your specific state and city guidelines. Next, you will need to write out a business plan. The business plan will consist of your mission statement, marketing plan, organizational plan, staffing, operations, budgets, and more. You will have to do a research, with a focus on understanding on how much money will be needed to successfully launch a child care center.
Starting a child care center can be profitable, however, the average start-up cost for one can range from ten to fifty thousand dollars. The actual start-up cost for your child care center will depend on how you choose to establish and operate your business. For instance, to start a home child care center will be less costly than leasing or buying a building/office location. The cost to start a childcare center if you are taking over an existing facility can run at least fifty-five thousand dollars in renovation costs. The supplies and equipment can cost over sixty dollars per child. Then the educational supplies and equipment can total over four thousand and seven hundred dollars. Other expenses include marketing costs, furniture and administrative expenses. The total costs in all for a start-up childcare center will be in the amount of ninety-five thousand, four hundred and eighty-five dollars.
On the other the hand, there is a federal and state funding that help childcare providers with services to children in low-income working families. Federal and state funding for early childhood services are available through a complex maze of funding streams and government agencies. The majority of the federal and state funding is used to provide direct services to children and families, but some funds are used to improve the overall quality of the services provided by early care and education programs. Therefore, getting funded or sponsored can be helpful to your new business. It cuts some of the cost. However, if you don't meet the average cost with your own personal savings to start your business. The next step is to apply for a small business loan.
Also, when you are looking for a location to start your child care center. Check your city's zoning laws and child care licensing guidelines when your making this decision. Must be sure your location is compliant.
Then you will need insurance policies of several different types, including liability, property, workers' compensation, and business insurance. Next, you will need to protect your facility with safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, disaster supplies, emergency exit plans, etc. Make sure to develop policies and procedures, which are handbooks for staff and families. Lastly, the center will need to have a disaster or crisis management plan and health, safety, privacy, and nutrition protocols, all under the guidance of your local school licensing requirements.
After your child care center is well put together, you will need to hire your staff. All applicants should be hired under licensing requirements for staff ratios and teachers' educational backgrounds. Staff is subject to criminal background checks, fingerprinting, CPR/first aid certification and verify references. Have a well prepared and thought-out curriculum for your child care center. Seek accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), this will give parents a peace of mind that your program is high quality.
Last step is to market your child care center and search for applicants. List your school in any local directories and participate in school enrollment fairs in your area. Advertise through local businesses, parent groups, local events, and popular blogs. Run a social media campaign focusing on your target population or host a grand opening event to attract families. Once you have managed to fill your student roster, your center is complete.
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