Types of Child Care Businesses To Start-up

 
Do you have a love for children? Have you thought about starting a childcare business? Not sure which business type will be profitable or suitable for you? Let's take a look at some statistics and review the various types of childcare businesses.

According to the 1984 U.S. Census Bureau report, Who's Minding the Kids?, parents generally
select one of three types of child care facilities: family care, home care or day-care center. There are,
however, other child care programs available, including the following:

Family care -- A program designed to provide care for toddlers in the homes of
other mothers.

Home care -- A nanny or sitter cares for and supervises a child in the child's home.

 Day-care and child development centers -- Programs designed to respond to the
stages of physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth and behavior of infants
and children.

 Child care development home -- A private residence for up to five children, with no
more than two infants in the group.

 Infant care center -- A child development center that cares for infants and toddlers
(children two years old or younger).

Before- and after-school care -- A program providing care for school-age children
before and after the regular school day in a child development center or home.

 Satellite child development program -- A private residence linked with a child
development center or an agency that receives technical assistance and support,
training, recruiting and placement.

Nursery school -- Usually a part-time preschool child development center operating
during the school year.

Which business type do you think best suits you? Are you ready to start the planning process?

For more information on how to build a Quality Child Care Business, Download this Planning Guide! Want to know what you will need to get started, Check out my 10 Steps to Starting a Child Care Business ebook.

Shiketa Morgan

http://www.childcarebusinessowner.com

The One Skill That You Must Develop Before Opening a Child Care Center

 It takes great Leadership to Build a Great Child Care Center!

Opening a childcare center is a major step and it will be a very successful business if you open the business with the information that you need to succeed!

Prior to opening my childcare center in 2003, I previously owned a family home childcare business from 1998-2003. Owning and operating a family home daycare business gave me a head start on how to plan lessons, deal with parents, manage the finances in my business, but it did not prepare me in the area of Leadership!

In fact, the Leadership Guru, John Maxwell said, " Everything rises and falls on Leadership." In other words, your center will only rise or fall according to the level of your leadership.

Furthermore, I believe that all entrepreneurs are leaders, however, your leadership skills must be developed in order for your business to grow.

During the first two years of owning my center, I really struggled in the area of leadership and this caused a major turnover in my business. Once I began to read leadership books and study John Maxwell teachings on leadership, my turnover reduced dramatically, I developed a great rapport with my staff and there was so much more unity in my center.

Now I am not saying that because you are a great leader that your staff issues with go away, but I am will tell you that a great leader is a great problem solver!

Are you ready to develop the leader within you? I want to challenge you to join my 21-Day Mastermind e-club. In the e-Club, you will receive information via email (for 21-days)on how to develop your leadership skills; how to improve your business management skills and how to think like a millionaire. I think it is vital that you learn to think like a millionaire in the event that you want to expand your business. Join the 21-Day Mastermind eClub today!

Shiketa Morgan
Be sure to download your copy of 10 Steps to Starting a Child Care Business Today!
Follow my Child Care Business tweets @ccarebusiness

Do You Really Want to Start a Daycare?

Do you really want to start a daycare business? I started the blog post with this question to inspire you to brainstorm on why you want to start a childcare business?

Is it because you want to work from home? Do you want to be home with your kids? Do you hate your current job?

Whatever your reason(s) may be for starting a daycare business; there are 20 other questions that you must ask your self before starting a daycare business? Before we get to those 20 questions, allow me to share a story with you.

A recent trip to a car lot sparked this blog post. For the last year or so, I had a desire to purchase a BMW SUV. In fact, every time that I would see a BMW SUV, I would literally stare at the car.

 I was so fascinated with the car that I would envision myself driving the car, until the day that I went to test drive a BMW SUV. The car salesman gave me the keys to the BMW SUV and as I sat in the care, I loved how the steering wheel automatically adjusted as I turned the key in the ignition.

However,  I was disappointed at the size of the inside of the car.  Please don't misunderstand me, I think that BMW's are great cars, however, I like cars with plenty of room and I was under the impression that the BMW truck was a lot larger on the inside.

As I write this blog post, I made the decision to buy a larger SUV, however, I would still love to own a BMW SUV, when I do not need as much space on the inside of my car.

I shared  my story with you to say this; Before you decide to open a daycare business, go visit some daycare businesses, get the feel of what it is really like to own a daycare business. In fact, I think you will know right away if owning a daycare is for you or not.

As I stated above, there are 20 questions that you must ask yourself before opening a daycare business and you will find those questions in my ebook, 10 Steps to Starting up a Child Care Business.

Just like you test drive a car...

it is wise to test drive a business,

before you make that start-up decision!

Shiketa Morgan
www.childcarebusinessowner.com
http://www.twitter.com/ccarebusiness

Should You Lease or Buy Your Child Care Facility?

Deciding if you want to lease or buy a building for your childcare business can be a tough decision. Today I want to share with you my experience in leasing a building and how I feel about buying a commercial building.

I found my current location in November 2002 (On a Saturday) and there was a for lease sign on the front of the building. On Monday morning I called the number that was listed on the sign and scheduled an appointment to see the inside of the building.

Within a week, I was able to view the inside of the building to see how much work would be required in the building. I must let you know that my current location was previously a childcare facility and there was very little work that needed to be done to the building, with the exception of adding some paint to the walls.

After seeing the inside of the building I knew that I was ready to move my daycare out of my home into a commercial location. The lease payment was only $1500/month for a 1625 square foot building with a small playground and plenty of parking.

I decided to lease the building and the deal began! The lease was mailed to me, I prayed about it, I held the lease for several weeks. Then I wrote a check for the first /last month's rent and mailed the check to the leasing agent along with a signed 3-year lease. I moved into my first childcare center in March 2003!!

You may be wondering if you should get a lawyer involved with the lease process? I suggest that you always get a second opinion on your lease to be sure that there are no hidden agendas and that it is a win-win lease for both parties.

In fact, my landlord was quite fair and clear on the responsibilities of both parties. Moreover, I must say that as of the date that I write this blog post, I am still leasing my building and my rent has not increased.

However, I must say that there is a commercial building that is located next door to my facility and it has been vacant for about four years. Now can you imagine, owning a vacant building with no tenant? Exactly, you are stuck with a building and a mortgage payment and that's why I prefer to lease.

However, one of the great things about buying a building, is the simple fact that you own the property and your monthly payments may be more affordable. Moreover, you do not have to renew a lease every 1-5 years.

Furthermore, if you discover that you are in a bad locations for building enrollment, you could be stuck with a building and paying a monthly mortgage payment.

What are your thoughts about this blog post? Which one do you prefer? Lease or Buy? I look forward to reading your comments.

Shiketa
Check out the 10 Steps to Starting-up a Child Care Business eBook
Follow the Child Care Business Owner Blog

Check out this Business Start-up Checklist

A vital part of your business start-up process is to create a great business plan. In fact, to assure that you create a successful business plan, follow and listen to the steps included in the "Self Employment Checklist"video below to assure a successful start-up process.

Check out the video below to be sure that you to do not miss a step!




To Your Success,
Shiketa

Get your copy of "10 steps to starting a childcare business e-book" Today!

New Child Care Business Start-up: Linda Price of Blessed Ones Early Learning Academy

  
 Check out my blog interview with Linda Price, Owner  and Operater of Blessed Ones Early Learning Academy since June 2011.

Shiketa Morgan: Why did you decide to open a childcare center?

Linda Price: Blessed Ones was born out of the desire to nurture young lives.  My decision to work with children began when I was a child.  As a teen, I always dreamed of working as a nurse in the maternity unit. I settled on child care because I know that I can make a positive difference in children's lives.  If I can be a positive influence in one child's life then my living and work will not be in vain.


Shiketa Morgan: Tell me about your business? What are your goals? What is the Mission for your business?

Linda Price: I opened Blessed Ones Early Learning Academy on June 20, 2011 after caring for children in my home for 18 years. Our name came to be because these little "ones" are truly a "blessing" from God.  They also develop "early", in "learning" their world around them, from the day they are born.  The definition of "academy" is a school for special instruction. We are truly a place where we are motivating young minds to build strong foundations. 

We are a State Licensed "Class A" Center serving Baton Rouge, Louisiana and surrounding area.  Here, we are creating a safe, healthy environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the children, as well as respond to the needs of the family. Our capacity is 20. Services that set us apart are:  Workshops for parents one weekend a month, reports on each child every six months to chart their development progress, parents night out- once a month, activities to keep the body moving and healthy, parent/child participation in a talent show, father/child activities.

Goals:  To produce happy, intelligent, well-adjusted children. I also want the children to be prepared for Pre-K when they enter public school.

Mission/Vision: Blessed Ones is committed to providing an affordable as well as professional early childhood program.  Blessed Ones is committed to supporting DAP (developmentally appropriate practice which are conducive to a well structured learning environment) and enhancing learning while considering the individual needs of each child and family.  The long term goal is to see that every child in the care of BOELA reach his/her highest potential which will enable them to be successful in future endeavors. I hope to one day have more than one location. 

My promise to the parents of BOELA is as follows:

                                          I promise everyday your children will learn something.
                                              Some days they will bring it home in their hands.
                                              Some days they will bring it home in their heads.
                                              Some days they will bring it home in their hearts.

                                                             The author is unknown, but I agree!!

Shiketa Morgan: How was the start-up process for you?

Linda Price: The start-up process was pretty stressful for me, because I knew what I wanted and how I wanted it to be and making sure it was in compliance. We purchased a house and brought it up to code for the Fire Marshall and health dept.

Shiketa Morgan: How has the childcare business owner network, inspired you in your business endeavors?

Linda Price: The network is very inspiring because I have gleamed some tips that I did not think of and other tips I knew and had implemented, so it let me know that I was on the right track. Mrs. Morgan has taken a vow that I have expressed, "If I can help someone not make the same mistakes I made, then why not."


Shiketa Morgan: What advice would you give to someone else that is working on starting up a childcare business?
Linda Price: Evaluate!!!! Know why, how, who.  Do your homework up front - Zoning, fire marshal codes, health and hospital codes, licensing regulations and most of all finance so you can start in the black. Find a mentor who understands the business. Have a minimum of 3 to 6 months worth of finance in case something happens or children leave (or have parents that are slow at paying - we all have one or two).

Set policies before hand or parents will set them for you. Advertise before opening and have children and staff already in place for a smooth opening. Attend Director's Network Meetings if available and stay in contact with your resource people. Follow you dream and remember why your started this journey.  I am truly happy that I expanded into my facility and learned to be patient with every step because excellence takes time and God will provide in His perfect time. So wait for Him.

Are you ready to start a home daycare or a childcare center? Download the 10 Steps to starting up a childcare business today! click here Do you feel stuck in your decision to get started? Check out the Going to another Level Mastermind e-club.