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

Your Logo is a Reflection of Your Business Brand

Your logo is a major part of your business brand. In fact, it speaks volumes about about your business. Before you create your logo, think about the vision and the mission of your childcare business.

Moreover, you want your logo to be unique and reflect the name of your business. Furthermore, you want to create a logo that looks great on your marketing information, including your business T-shirts.

According to Entrepreneur Magazine, "A good logo can build loyalty between your business and your customers, establish a brand identity, and provide the professional look of an established enterprise."

I recently changed my logo because I wanted it to be more colorful. My original logo was 3 kids holding the alphabet, then in 2011, I decided to brighten up my logo.

Check out my logo transformation below.

Logo from 2003-2011

2011-Present

If you have not already designed your logo  for your childcare business, check out the article: How to Create a Logo.

With your Child Care Business in mind,
Shiketa Morgan
Download your copy of 10 steps to starting a Child Care Business today!

I look forward to your comments about this blog post. I would also love to see pics of your logo. Feel free to email your logo to me. Your logo may be featured on the Child Care Business eNewsletter!

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
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Creating a Timeline for your Child Care Business Start-up

It's time to get that start-up process on paper!



Opening a Child Care Business can be a lot of work, however, if the process is planned and mapped out, it will be a less stressful process.

Moreover, if you think about all that you have to do to open up your childcare business, you may begin to ger overwhelmed and begin to procastinate the start-up process.

So, stop thinking about all that you have to do started and write it down. In fact, making a time line for your start-up project can be easy as this process below:

Jan
Week 1- Write the Business Plan
Week 2- Find a building or prepare  space in home
Week 3- Licensing Visit
Week 4- Sign the lease and get insurance
Week 5- Purchase equipment for facility

Feb
Week 1- Market the business online, newspaper, etc
Week 2- Set-up the website
Week 3- Set-up classrooms or set-up space in home/Final Licensing visit
Week 4- Interview for potential employees

March
Week 1- Plan Open House
Week 2-Open Date

The time line above was simply an example of how you can stay organized by creating a plan for all that needs to be done during the start-up process. For more tips on getting started, check out the 10 Steps to Starting a Childcare Business e-book!

Shiketa

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.