Are you thinking about starting a new career or a part-time gig in childcare? Running a daycare is a great option for parents of young children, former teachers, and anyone else who enjoys caring for kids and babies.
You can run a daycare from your home or a dedicated daycare space.
Knowing how to start a daycare is the first step. It isn’t as easy as posting flyers around the neighborhood to lure in local parents. We’re here to guide you. Keep reading to learn everything that you need to know about starting a daycare the right way.
Plan it out
You’re starting a daycare business, so that means that you need a business plan.
Business plans create a framework for how you want your business to run. This is where you establish your budget, your ideal revenue, marketing plans, and your needs.
Do you need employees? Are you going to seek out loans or donations to start your business? What do you need to have a legal business?
Find Your Location
Location is everything when it comes to your new daycare. Your location will dictate how many children you can accept and what kinds of services you can offer.
Many people run daycares out of their homes. If this is the case, make sure that your home is safe and presentable before you welcome customers. If you plan on having a designated daycare space, you need to decide how much you can pay on rent.
Daycare spaces don’t have to be large, but they do need to be safe and have all required utilities. It’s also good to have an outdoor space for children to play.
Get Insurance and Licenses
As with any business, you need insurance. Figure out your daycare insurance cost based on the qualities of your business.
You also need the right licenses. This may vary depending on where you live, so be sure to look into local laws before starting your business. The state wants to know that you’re able to take care of children and that you’re not dangerous.
Create Rules and Policies
Before you bring children into your daycare, establish a list of rules and policies. These may change as you develop your business and learn what works best for you and the families, but having a loose set of guidelines is helpful when you start out.
How many children can you have at once? What hours will you offer, and what happens if someone is too late or early? What is your cost structure like, and do you give discounts if someone has more than one child in your care?
Parents need to know what you expect from them and their children so they can decide if your daycare works for them.
How to Start a Daycare: Start Planning Now
Once you’re finished with all of the start-up work, all you have to do is market your new daycare and start taking care of the kids! Running the best daycare is hard work, but it’s also fulfilling and a lot of fun.
Now that you know how to start a daycare the right way, why not get started?
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