| 3 Steps Towards Starting a Daycare Service |
So, you think you would like to start a day care but where to start? Let us assume you know nothing about the
industry except that it involves children. That is pretty much the position I was in when I started my day care 10 years ago and I spent a year and a half researching and learning before I got going. Before you go running for
the hills in dismay allow me to cut short the research time a little with some pointers on how best to prepare
for the exciting adventure that is Starting a daycare business.
Your first port of call should be your business plan.
Every successful business starts with a well thought out
version thus enabling the entrepreneur (you) to get a
clear, overall picture of what your business will entail.
Many people get to the business plan stage and no further
due to a realisation that the project is unfeasible for
whatever reason. Better find out now than after you have
ploughed a lot of time and money into starting a business
going nowhere.
The business plan covers all vital elements of starting and
operating a business, introduction / description,
benefits, market research, key financials and conclusion.
I found it to be a great checklist of things to do as I
worked my way methodically through each of the required
steps. It forced me to consider, research and document
every aspect of my potential business, propelled me to
analyse in detail areas I might otherwise have glossed
over (or ignored completely). Like a good teacher it
provided the questions and ensured I filled in the blanks.
There are many great business plan templates out there and
I have listed some that I particularly like below:
 www.sba.gov USA
www.bytestart.co.uk UK
www.teagasc.ie/startingyourownbusiness/template.htm Ireland
Next, talk to the experts. Arrange a meeting with your
local licensing representative, have them visit your
premises and find out what they will be requiring in terms
of premises layout, contents, play area and general health
and safety issues. Get them to give you guidelines and
tips on policies and paperwork. Don not be afraid to ask
questions, remember this is the expert the person who
will be granting you a license so best to have a heads up
on what they will expect from you. Prepare in advance of
this meeting and come armed with a list of comprehensive
questions so you do not waste a great opportunity to absorb
as much knowledge as possible.
An invaluable source of information on setting up your day
care is existing daycare owners. When I was researching my
business I received some of the best tips, hints and advice
from other providers, in fact, I still make information
gathering visits once a year and learn something new
everytime. Call up a couple of established providers
(preferably not too close to your proposed venture, they
might not be too enamoured of the impending competition!),
explain your situation and set up a day to go visit. Most
people are delighted to mentor a budding entrepreneur and
proud to showcase their business. Become a sponge for that
day and absorb every tidbit of information available.
Take a pen and paper for notes, ask questions, listen and
observe. Notice daily routines, room layout and equipment,
methods for dealing with behaviours, staff and child
interaction, health and safety procedures, hygiene
practices, peruse paperwork (ask for copies of the
paperwork to help guide you when formulating your own).
Get tips on advertising, pricing and suppliers. Try to
speak with the owner or manager, the staff and the cook
and get a feel for each unique role. Ask questions like
What do you feel could be improved? or If you were
starting out what things would you do differently? These
open questions will provide you with an immense wealth of
knowledge, all of the practical, hands on variety.
These are just three steps you can take in pursuit of your
dream to start a day care business and they will provide
you with a tremendous amount of information and guidance.
Your confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve
your vision will peak and you will be propelled into
further positive action. It costs nothing but time and if
you can get yourself to this point there is no looking
back. What are you waiting for?
Fiona Lohrenz is somewhat of an expert on child care
having run her own day care for a decade. She writes about her experiences on her childcare website and shares even more on her 'Start a ChildCare Business'
DVD guide. You can find her at her website:
http://www.childcareonly.com/products/start-a-child-care-business-in-the-usa/
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