According to research, the American child care market was valued at approximately $54.3 billion in 2019, and its growth is not expected to stop.
Starting a daycare can be a daunting task. There are many things to consider, and it’s hard to know where to start.
But don’t worry. Keep reading to learn the most important considerations and tips for how to start a daycare business. Our guide will help you get started today!
1. Start Researching
Although it may seem like common sense, you must do your research about the process of starting a daycare. It’s crucial to know what steps you’ll need to take and who will be involved in child care jobs.
For example, is this something you want to pursue full-time or part-time? Also, will this be an independent task, or is there already an established company for daycare?
Once you have all your questions answered, then it’s time to move on to your location. Some states have specific laws regarding running a daycare.
Before you open a daycare, be sure to research what you need to do for your daycare to be within compliance.
2. Make It Official
Once the research is finished, then it’s time to make things official. This includes creating an LLC, getting your business license, applying for a work permit (if necessary), and even starting your website.
Just because you don’t have clients doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start marketing immediately, especially if you plan on hiring employees or contractors.
Why? Because this will help build trust among potential customers who may not know about you yet.
And once they see how professional your company looks online—which includes having a good website with a clean design—they may be inclined to choose your daycare over another one.
3. Set Up Your Daycare
Now that you have everything official, it’s time to get your facility set up. For starters, there are some basic items you’ll need for children to have a fun and dynamic learning experience.
These include toys, books, puzzles, art supplies, blocks, play kitchens/potties/cars/etc., dress-up clothes, etc.
It doesn’t matter what you fill your space with as long as the kids can enjoy themselves while exploring their surroundings.
4. Start Preparing Yourself for Parents’ Inquiries
Once people know about your new daycare business, then you should expect some inquiries from parents. The first question they’ll want to know is how much your daycare services cost.
So make sure you’re prepared with a breakdown of the fees, what those fees cover (if anything), and when those payments are due.
Other important details to note include whether or not there’s free parking available, as well as what time you open and close each day.
5. Consider Having an Open House
One final step that can help you get started is to host an open house for clients and potential clients. This will help them learn more about the company and meet the employees face-to-face.
This can be an effective way to gain trust among your new customers, especially if other people in attendance can vouch for you and your services.
How to Start a Daycare the Right Way
Learning how to start a daycare can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s not without its challenges. Make sure you do your research and plan accordingly to give yourself the best chance.
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