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Daycare businesses brought in more than $57 million in revenue last year. Though many of these providers are small businesses, it’s still possible to start a daycare business that is able to grow and scale through the years., especially if you have a solid daycare business plan.
Daycare businesses are always in demand. Here are some steps and tips to follow while starting a daycare business of your own.
Starting a Daycare Business
Obtain the Necessary Licenses
Any business in the child care industry is going to need to meet heavy regulations. These vary by state and local community, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the necessary permits and requirements before getting started. This site includes a resource that can point you toward the relevant rules for your location, so you can learn how to start a daycare business in your specific area. These might include things like having a building with a specific square footage for every child, employee training and location inspections.
Create a Business Plan
Your daycare business plan should include an overview of the child care industry in your area, your company’s mission statement, financial projections and marketing plans. Find a template online to get started and make adjustments as you determine the details of your new daycare business.
Find a Niche & Selling Point
Some daycare businesses offer general care to a wide array of kids. Others focus on a specific target market, like preschool aged kids or those interested in topics like STEM. Even if you want to work with a variety of families, it’s important to determine some of the aspects that will set your center apart from others.
According to Caroline Jens, a childcare consultant and owner of Child Care Biz Help, your business should have a few key pillars that communicate your brand values. Develop these fully and then communicate them with your team so they can bring those pillars into every interaction they have with the families at your center.
Find a Suitable Location
With a daycare center, finding the right location is less about being in a central hub and more about ensuring the building meets local standards and provides enough space and safety features to accommodate your kids and team members. Of course, it’s still nice to be in a convenient location. But make sure that the space you choose is large enough for your projected enrollment and has the features you need, like a kitchen if you plan on preparing meals or multiple rooms if you want to offer services for multiple age groups.
Invest in the Right Equipment
Daycare centers often need cribs, toys, furniture and play equipment in order to provide a quality experience. Your exact purchases may vary based on your niche and target audience. But it’s always important to take safety into account and make sure items are approved for the exact age group you serve. In addition, make sure you invest in first aid kits, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and safety training gear for your team.
Build a Team
If you want your business to actually grow and become sustainable, you need a team at your side. Come up with a list of qualities that you need for every new hire and stick to them, rather than attempting to save money by hiring inexperienced people. According to Jens, some of the qualities to look for in a team member include flexibility, the ability to influence and impact others and a true love for working in child care.
Focus on Safety Training
All of your employees should be trained in CPR, first aid, and any other certifications that are mandated by your state. You also need to make this training part of your onboarding process so you can ensure that any new employees you hire are also compliant.
Fine Tune Tuition and Enrollment Numbers
Your earnings in a daycare business come from how many kids you have enrolled at a time. It’s important to have a goal, as well as minimum and maximum numbers for each time slot throughout the day. That information, along with your financial projections from your business plan, should help you set specific tuition rates.
Market Locally
Once you have the basics set up, it’s time to bring in actual customers to your daycare center. To do this, you’ll need a marketing plan. You can advertise or put up signs or daycare business cards around town. You can focus on optimizing your small business website and online profiles for SEO. Or you can even partner with other local businesses that offer services to families to generate referrals.
Create a Growth Plan
It may also be beneficial to come up with a plan for scaling your business right from the beginning. Do you want to start a franchise program? Look into licensing? Open multiple locations with new operators? There are plenty of different methods to consider. So consider each one carefully and make adjustments based on what you know the requirements may be. For instance, if you want to simply grow your initial location, it’s important to choose a spot with room for additions. If you want to franchise, it’s important to track all of your processes so you can create guides for franchisees later on.
Marketing Strategies for Daycare Business
Once you have successfully set up your daycare business, the next crucial step is to attract and retain customers. Marketing plays a significant role in driving enrollment and ensuring the growth of your daycare center. Here are some effective marketing strategies to promote your daycare business locally:
- Establish a Strong Online Presence: In today’s digital age, having a professional and user-friendly website is essential. Your website should showcase the services you offer, highlight your unique selling points, and include testimonials from satisfied parents. Optimize your website for local SEO to improve its visibility in local search results. Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to engage with parents, share updates, and post photos of happy children in your daycare center.
- Utilize Local Directories: Register your daycare center in online local directories and parenting websites specific to your area. Many parents search for daycare options through these platforms, making it an effective way to reach your target audience.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with local businesses that cater to families, such as pediatricians, schools, toy stores, and children’s clothing stores. Offer cross-promotions or special discounts to their customers in exchange for promoting your daycare services.
- Host Open Houses and Events: Organize open houses and events at your daycare center to give parents and children a firsthand experience of your facility and programs. Provide informative sessions about your curriculum, safety measures, and child development approach. Offer fun activities for kids during these events to create a positive and memorable impression.
- Word of Mouth and Referrals: Encourage satisfied parents to share their positive experiences with others. Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful in the childcare industry. Implement a referral program that rewards parents for referring new families to your daycare.
- Offer Free Trial Sessions: Consider providing free trial sessions to potential customers. This allows parents to experience your daycare services without committing to a long-term contract. It can be an effective way to showcase your center’s quality and build trust with potential clients.
- Showcase Your Staff: Introduce your team of experienced and caring staff on your website and social media. Highlight their qualifications and dedication to providing excellent care and education for the children in your center.
- Advertise Special Programs and Activities: Promote any unique or specialized programs you offer, such as language lessons, art classes, or STEM activities. Highlighting these special offerings can attract parents looking for additional educational opportunities for their children.
- Participate in Community Events: Engage with your local community by participating in events like fairs, fundraisers, or school functions. Distribute flyers or brochures about your daycare services during these events.
- Collect and Share Testimonials: Request feedback and testimonials from satisfied parents and display them prominently on your website and marketing materials. Positive reviews can build trust and credibility among prospective parents.
| Marketing Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Establish a Strong Online Presence | Create a professional and user-friendly website that showcases your daycare services, unique selling points, and testimonials from satisfied parents. Optimize the website for local SEO and actively engage with parents on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to share updates and photos of happy children. |
| Utilize Local Directories | Register your daycare center in online local directories and parenting websites specific to your area. This strategy helps parents searching for daycare options find your business easily. |
| Partner with Local Businesses | Collaborate with local businesses catering to families, such as pediatricians, schools, toy stores, and children's clothing stores. Offer cross-promotions or special discounts in exchange for their promotion of your daycare services, creating a win-win situation for both businesses. |
| Host Open Houses and Events | Organize open houses and events at your daycare center, providing parents and children a firsthand experience of your facility and programs. Offer informative sessions about your curriculum, safety measures, and child development approach, alongside fun activities for kids to leave a positive and memorable impression. |
| Word of Mouth and Referrals | Encourage satisfied parents to share their positive experiences with others, as word-of-mouth referrals are powerful in the childcare industry. Implement a referral program that rewards parents for referring new families to your daycare, further incentivizing them to spread the word. |
By implementing these marketing strategies, you can effectively promote your daycare business within your community, attract new enrollments, and pave the way for future growth and expansion opportunities.
Conclusion
Starting and growing a daycare business can be a rewarding venture with significant revenue potential, as evidenced by the over $57 million generated by daycare businesses last year. However, success in this industry requires careful planning and strategic execution. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, aspiring daycare entrepreneurs can increase their chances of creating a thriving and sustainable childcare center.
Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, along with adhering to local regulations, is the first crucial step to ensure compliance and credibility. Crafting a well-structured business plan that outlines the mission, financial projections, and marketing strategies will provide a roadmap for success and guide decision-making along the way.
Finding a niche and a unique selling point is essential for setting the daycare center apart from competitors. Emphasizing brand values and pillars will help communicate the center’s identity to parents and build a strong reputation within the community. Selecting a suitable location with adequate space and safety features is vital for providing a quality experience for both children and team members.
Investing in appropriate equipment, safety training, and building a competent team will contribute to the daycare center’s overall success and growth potential. With a well-trained and dedicated team, the center can offer exceptional care and maintain a positive reputation among parents.
To attract customers and drive enrollment, implementing effective marketing strategies is essential. Building a strong online presence, utilizing local directories, and partnering with other businesses are effective ways to reach the target audience. Hosting open houses, offering free trial sessions, and advertising special programs can create a positive impression and encourage parents to choose the daycare center for their children.
Furthermore, active participation in community events and collecting and sharing testimonials will build trust and credibility within the community, resulting in increased referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Lastly, having a growth plan from the outset will help pave the way for expanding the business in the future. Whether it’s starting a franchise program, opening multiple locations, or exploring licensing opportunities, a well-thought-out growth plan can set the foundation for further success and expansion.
By carefully following these steps and implementing the marketing strategies mentioned, daycare entrepreneurs can create a thriving and prosperous business that meets the needs of families in their community while providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow. With dedication, passion, and a solid daycare business plan, the potential for growth and success in the daycare industry is promising.
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