How to Build a Daycare Center
Things can get a little hectic when 30 or so toddlers are feeling the effects of their post-play snack and it's not quite time for afternoon naps. For those who love every second of the frenzy, this chaotic atmosphere is just part of the reason teachers, administrators and kids enjoy spending time within the protective embrace of a well-run daycare center. If launching your own facility has made it to the top of your "must-do" list, and if you believe you've got the credentials and know-how to run your haven in ways that maximize every child's physical, mental and creative development, this article is for you.
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan
- Property
- Zoning and construction permits and licenses
- Funding
- General contractor
- Appliances and interior build-outs
Instructions
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Write a business plan. Having a road map for how your facility will be funded, maintained, managed and operated establishes your vision for the future, sets long-term guidelines and provides a platform from which you can seek loans, grants and other types of support.
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Choose a location that gives your proposed daycare center a solid base of consumers. Zoning laws will govern your options, but once you pinpoint several locations, check for daycare center competition and examine the mix of homes and businesses in each to calculate your potential for drawing children to your facility. A good indicator of viability is a profusion of elementary schools in your target area.
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Seek funding. Visit various types of lenders with your business plan in hand to apply for a loan or line of credit to underwrite the construction of your daycare center and provide for start-up expenses. A mortgage broker can evaluate contemporary rates at multiple lenders, but don't discount your bank or credit union. As a final source, turn to investors to fund or help fund your daycare center.
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Acquire the land and apply for building permits, variances and documentation required by your local government. Interview at least three general contractors with experience building similar facilities, then put your project out for bid. Evaluate and choose the builder offering the most experience, reassurance and bang for your buck.
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Monitor the progress of your building's construction as it progresses and keep in touch with area agencies charged with responsibility for oversight on everything from plumbing to electrical work. While your daycare center is being built, use architectural blueprints as a guide to ordering interior fixtures, lighting, childproof carpeting, cabinets, storage units and other daycare essentials.
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Finalize all arrangements you've made to license your daycare center. Every state has different requirements, but all stipulate exact food preparation, recreation and per-child square footage parameters that must be met if you are to open your doors. Additionally, this is also the best time to run background checks on potential employees to make certain that your charges stay safe and sound.
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Complete the project, arrange with local officials to conduct final inspections and hang your official occupancy sign. If you're a savvy businessperson, you've already begun publicizing your new daycare center and started a wait-list for children in your target age group.
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Celebrate your new daycare center with a grand opening. Invite the community in for free tours so they can see your state-of-the-art facility. Hang photos of staff and teachers in the entryway to put welcoming faces on your business venture---and leave plenty of room to hang candid snapshots of your funny little charges enjoying their new home-away-from-home.
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Tips & Warnings
Working with a commercial realtor to locate the right construction site can save you time, money and frustration.
