Starting a Daycare - Start-Up Costs

By Sienna Brown

If you are to enter the child care industry you will require start up funds to get your business off the ground. Depending on the kind of daycare center that you are planning, these costs can run anywhere from a few thousand dollars to six figures.

In the article below we set out some of the important start up costs that you would have to budget for as you proceed to open your own child daycare facility.

1) Where to Run your Business - Many people these days choose to operate a daycare business from their own house or property and doing so can be convenient and save expenses associated with leased premises. You will still be up for renovating expenses as you make alterations to your home to get it ready.

2) Legal Requirements and Licensing - You will need to apply for a license and you will need to ensure that you comply with all the rules and regulations set out by your city regarding daycare centers.

3) Other things to Buy - To get your daycare business ready to receive children on a daily basis you will have to create a place that is attractive and friendly to children and parents alike. Create a budget for buying furniture, decorations, toys,games and other supplies.

4) Setting up an Office - You will have to set aside an area from which you can run the business side of your child care center. Start researching some of the costs related to setting up an office that can handle all your business administration needs while also serving as a meeting room.

5) Operating Costs - Some daycare center startup budgets also list operating expenses for the first two or three months of business when they work out startup costs. This is sensible as it may be several months before the business has revenue coming in to cover expenses.

6) Daycare Advertising - You will have to consider initial promotional expenses as you attempt to spread the word about your new business. You may have to commence your advertising efforts at least a few months before you open your doors so that you have some children attending when you open your doors for business.

It is important to show some restraint as you set up the daycare and to prevent set up expenses from getting completely out of control. However you also have to have spent enough by opening day that your premises are looking fully organized and professional with a set up that attracts families with children to your services. Carefully budgeting for your daycare business set up costs will go a long way towards determining your level of success in the first few months of your business life. - 30224

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