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You want to start a day care but have never taken the bull
by the horns. Let us assume you know nothing about the
industry except that it involves children but you have
always dreamed about quitting your job and starting a
childcare business. Well, I have just described my own
situation 10 years ago before I started the one and a
half year research that would culminate in the daycare
I run today. Before you go running for the hills in dismay
allow me to cut short the research time a little with some
pointers on how best to prepare for the exciting adventure
that is Starting a daycare business.
Your first port of call should be your business plan.
Every successful business starts with a well thought out
version thus enabling the entrepreneur (you) to get a
clear, overall picture of what your business will entail.
Many people get to the business plan stage and no further
due to a realisation that the project is unfeasible for
whatever reason. Better find out now than after you have
ploughed a lot of time and money into starting a business
going nowhere.
The vital elements of starting any business are covered by
your business plan. Introduction/description,benefits,
market research, key financials and conclusion. Like a
good teacher it provides the questions and ensures you
fill in the blanks. I found it to be a great checklist
of things to do as I worked my way methodically through
each of the required steps. Areas I might have omitted or
glossed over were covered leaving me with thorough and
accurate vision of my business. Here are some suggestions
for business plan templates.
Talk to the experts next. Call your local licensing
representative and have them come to your premises for a
meeting. Find out what they wil be looking for in terms
of premises layout, contents, play area and general health
and safety issues. They are the experts and responsible
for granting your license so, you want what they want.
Have them go through expected policies and procedures and
get them to give you guidelines and tips on paperwork.
Prepare in advance of this meeting and come armed with a
list of comprehensive questions so you do not waste a
great opportunity to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Some of the best tips, hints and advice that I received
whilst researching my business were from other providers.
I actually still attempt to visit other daycares at least
once a year to get new and fresh ideas. Existing daycare
owners are an invaluable resource for practical advice.
Call up a couple of established providers (preferably not
too close to your proposed venture, they might not be too
enamoured of the impending competition!). Most people are
delighted to mentor a budding entrepreneur and proud to
showcase their business. There is nothing quite like the
advice of people who have been there, are doing that and
wearing the tee shirt daily.
Bring a clipboard and pen so you can jot down notes and
ideas before they vacate your head (as they do mine). Ask
questions, listen and observe. Notice daily routines, room
layout and equipment, methods for dealing with behaviours,
staff and child interaction, health and safety procedures,
hygiene practices, peruse paperwork (ask for copies of the
paperwork to help guide you when formulating your own).
Find about the best methods of advertising, what suppliers
you should use and the range of fees locally. Try to speak
with the owner or manager, the staff and the cook and get a
feel for each unique role. Don't just ask them what they
do but also ask for their opinion on how things could be
better. You will gain an immense wealth of practical
knowledge simply by asking these open questions.
These are just three steps you can take in pursuit of your
dream seeing them through to completion will give you a
fantastic headstart in terms of researching your business.
Your confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve
your vision will peak and you will be propelled into
further positive action. So, start that research and make
that dream a reality.
You can find more childcare articles at Fiona Lohrenz's
website where you'll also find her 'Start a ChildCare
Business' DVD guide. She has a lot of knowledge to impart
having run her own daycare for 10 years. You can find her
at her website: http://www.childcareonly.com/products/start-a-child-care-
business-in-the-usa/
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