3.5k
Daycare and childcare providers in Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver, Ontario etc. in CanadaGarderies à Montréal ou au QuébecFind daycare or childcare providers in the USA
Forum control
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Business plan?

  1. #1
    Administrator Starting to feel at home... admin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    104
    Thanked
    49 Times in 15 Posts

    Business plan?

    Hi,

    Do you feel that having a business plan is useful before opening a daycare ?
    Or do you simply run some quick numbers, jump right to the opening, and make it up as you go along ?


  2. #2
    Expansive... Play and Learn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    828
    Thanked
    140 Times in 116 Posts
    I somewhat had a business plan, but everything also seemed to fall into place! My hubby finished off a playroom (and dance space) in the basement last summer. He's now doing a kitchenette, and eventually a bathroom all in the basement. We have to crush our numbers, but we make it work!

    I told myself to only buy second-hand. I was lucky enough to get many items for free as well. It helps when your siblings are that much older than you, and their kids are growing out of the baby/toddler things! I just received today from my SIL a bunch of sippy cups, and kids utensils (for free!).

    I don't have children of my own just yet, but have worked in many daycare centers to know what children play with, what they love and hate, and what to buy that's a necessity! Next big item purchase will be a swing set/play structure for our yard (preferrably second hand). I went to garage sales, had a list of items needed to open, and went from there. Because we live close to the US, and visit family there, I bought some items over there because of better prices.

    Did you know that the Fisher Price Healthy Choices Booster Seat in Canada can be anywhere from $35-55??? In the US it's $22-26 (and nicer colours)!!!

  3. #3
    Shy Mekkers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    London Ontario Canada
    Posts
    7
    I am currently in the process of creating a business plan. Many things would have to be involved and planned. For me it makes more sense for me to create a plan and implement it. In order for me to start a home day care I would need to move into a bigger space and create a play space and still have my personal living space. I am just in the beginning stages and have just started to gather information and network in order to become successful.

  4. #4
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Posts
    4,499
    Thanked
    1,469 Times in 1,125 Posts
    I think it depends where you live and what the requirements are. If you are opening what will be a licensed centre then of course you need a much for formal plan. For a home daycare in many cases it starts with a mom and her own children so there are already things like childproofing, toys, equipment, etc. in place. Other than the contract and sorting out what to include and amount to charge etc., the rest depends on clients that come in the sense of if another baby starts you may need to budget for an additional highchair or playpen. If a child older than your own starts you may need to budget for some different toys. In most cases a home daycare starts in the home and then it is after you realize your livingroom or family room is getting ruined from having 5-8 kids in there that you think about finishing the basement for example.

  5. #5
    Starting to feel at home... Tot-Time's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ottawa
    Posts
    167
    Thanked
    16 Times in 15 Posts
    If you are a planner, yes a business plan can work amazing. For me in the beginning the most important part about the business plan was determing what age group(s) I wanted to work with, so then I knew what supplies were needed. Included in my plan was when I wanted to start, how I was going to integrate the first 5 children (meaning my goal was to accept 1 child per month over a 5 month period).

    I think having a good grasp on what paperwork you are going to use ie contract and forms, cleaning schedule, defining the area of the daycare, if you have your own younger children deciding where you child can go if s/he doesn't want to be with the group and needs time alone, etc.

    The other part of my business plan was anticipating the general costs of running a daycare and then determining my fees. For example when I started my home daycare I leased a van so that I could always be mobile with the daycare kids. This was something that was and still is important to me. So I know that I have to always have 3 1/2 children in care to make daycare costs, then the other 1.5 children goes towards my family's budget. Having a general cost outline will help in deciding too what fee range you are going to use. For example when I moved to Ottawa area 4 years ago the average daycare fees were $30 - 40, I needed to build up my reputation so I started at $37. Now 4 yrs later the average fee is $35 - 45 and I am charging families $44. I know that people working in the childcare industry generally aren't in it for the money, but ensuring that you are earning a profit is important.

    Something else to consider in your plans is a business portfolio. Mine is very sad and needs and update, but it is as simple as a binder/folder that contains photocopies of your contract, your forms, your qualifications/certificates/diplomas, your emergency plans, and whatever you feel is important for interviewing parents to have (oh and references).

    If you aren't a planner the bare minimum I recommend (if you aren't with an agency) is having a written philosophy, a good contract outlining what is important to you, and the necessary forms for your business such as photo permission form, field trip permission form, medical forms etc.

    Your business plans can change, adapt, and grow as your business grows, I don't think many things in life stay the same
    ~*~ Nicole's Tot-Time Daycare ~*~
    www.nicolestot-time.com

Similar Threads

  1. Best plan ahead
    By Lee-Bee in forum Caring for children
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-04-2015, 08:32 AM
  2. New Menu Plan...
    By bright sparks in forum Caring for children
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-31-2013, 06:28 PM
  3. Evacuation plan....
    By betsy in forum Caring for children
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 07-25-2013, 12:24 PM
  4. Evacuation Plan?
    By bridlewood in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-26-2013, 12:31 PM
  5. Fire escape plan?
    By Dreamtree in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-10-2011, 12:34 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

A few tips...

Always ensure that your child receives quality care by taking the time to investigate the provider and by asking for references! We simply cannot verify the claims of every daycare provider.
Did you know?
DaycareBear receives more than 155 700 unique pageviews each month; that's nearly 1.9 million pages per year!
Partner in your
search for a daycare provider