Where To Begin

Congratulations on making your first big step to opening your childcare center! The best way to go about this process is to brainstorm what your ideal childcare setting looks like your you.

Here are a some things to consider when getting started:

1. How many children are you comfortable caring for? You dont want to get too overwhelmed and open up to your entire neighborhood at once. (Also keep in mind if you have your own children, they care as part of your crew too!) I recommend starting small and as you get more comfortable, add spots or openings then. It’s always easier to add more later than to advise a parent that this isn’t actually going to work out for you, and you need to let them go.
2. Once you determine the number of children you are comfortable with, check with your state’s childcare guidelines to determine if you need to get certified or not. (I know certification can sound scary, but dont let it deter you from doing what you want to do!)
3. Think about the hours you want to work. If you have fewer kids it’s easier to be flexible, allowing families to come and go as needed. However if you have a larger facility you may need to specify hours such at 8am-6pm, and firmly note, children must be picked up by 6pm. When selecting hours, keep in mind the hours your parents works, and try to not cut the day off before they would get done with work.
4. Think about how much you would be charging. Take a look at what other facilities in your are are charging, and charge comparable, but also look at what they’re charging. If the facility is charging $20/day, but only open 7am-3pm, those parents that work til 5 have to find a second person and potentially pay $40 total when the day is over. Could you potentially sell yourself as being an all day and charge a flat rate of $40 to make it easier on everyone and cover the hours they need? ABSOLUTELY!
5. Consider your advertising. Facebook groups, and local mom pages are FULL of parents looking for good reliable care and the employment is virtually endless! We NEVER have enough facilities for all the kids out there needing a warm, loving, caring place to go.

Now that you have a few things to think about, put these ideas down and start your homework!