I would like to start a daycare business. Any suggestions on how to get the funds to start it?
Asked by Heart
I am a nurse now but plan on starting a family in the next few years. I would like to be able to stay at home with my child so I was thinking of having a daycare. Any suggestions on getting the funds and how to make it successful?

Best Answer:
The first step is to prepare a business plan. Even if you will not be applying for a bank loan, a business plan helps you to think through your business - what it needs, who it will benefit, how much it will cost, and what is its potential. Here are free business plans on childcare business that you may want to look into: http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-30.doc http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/BPWORKBK.pdf http://www.misbtdc.org/documents/CDCPLAN.pdf http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/sbic/bplans.htm Other articles you may want to read: Starting a Child Day Care Business http://www.libsci.sc.edu/BOB/class/clis748/Studentwebguides/ss02/pollack2.htm How To Start Your Own Day Care Center http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol40/daycare.htm Childcare.net http://childcare.net/indexnew.shtml Starting a child-care services business http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,290241,00.html HOW TO START A QUALITY CHILD CARE BUSINESS http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-29.pdf For in-depth information, I suggest checking out the following books: - Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care - The Daycare Provider's Workbook - Start Your Own At-Home Child Care Business - So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center : Everything You Need to Know to Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program It is also important that you learn the tax rules affecting daycare centers, especially if you are going to open one from your home. Here is the IRS page on child care centers: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p587/index.html As for the licenses and requirements in your state, the Administration for Children and Families provide a state by state listing of contacts for licensing and regulations governing child care businesses: http://www.nccic.org/statedata/dirs/regoffic.html For getting funds, check with your state if they offer any assistance to daycare operators. Some states offer some sort of allowance up to $500 for things such as regulation requirements to even toys. Unfortunately, there are no grants given for higher than $500.

First thing you need to do is go to your local child services and see what their requirements are. That will be your biggest obstacle. Then, check with a bank. They can give you all kinds of info. IF it is a home daycare or even if it isn't, start looking at yard sales and picking up good used toys. IF you are needing to remodel so the kids have a "daycare room" this is where the bank will come in handy! Also, check with friends and co-workers to see what they like about their kids daycare and what they would want to change. Do a lot of asking around. Your friends are a great source of info. Good Luck
Answered by tcconssw