Articles from GBE Friends

So, you think you would like to start a day care but don't know where to start? Let us assume you know nothing about the industry except that it involves children. That is pretty much the position I was in when I started my day care 10 years ago and I spent a year and a half researching and learning before I got my first child in the door. 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 plan 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 realization that the project is unfeasible for whatever reason. It's better to find out now than after you have sloughed a lot of time and money into starting a business that's going nowhere or you don't enjoy.

Introduction/description,benefits, market research, key financial details and conclusion. These are the vital elements of starting any business and are covered by your business plan. 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. Like a good teacher it provided the questions and ensured I filled in the blanks. Business plan templates abound but here a few that I quite like.

www.sba.gov USA www.bytestart.co.uk UK www.teagasc.ie/startingyourownbusiness/template.htm Ireland

Talk to the experts next. Call your local licensing representative and have them come to your premises for a meeting. Find out what they will 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 while 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 enamored 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.

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 behaviors, 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 head start 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.

As a day care owner Fiona Lohrenz has extensive experience of childcare which she writes about on her website. She has also used this knowledge to produce a 'Start a ChildCare Business' DVD guide: StartChildCare.com You can find her at her website: ChildCareOnly.com