What Areas Need More Licensed Group Daycare Centers?

[BusinessMom]

Hi,

I want to open a daycare center and I've found a lot of good information about licensing and the steps it takes to do this and so on, but one thing I can't determine is what areas actually need more daycare centers. If my daycare center is to be successful I have to lease a building in an area that actually needs a new daycare center rather than leasing a building in an area where there are plenty of facilities already. Any suggestions on what areas could use a new daycare center? In any state. Thank you.

[Heidi]

I think you're better off choosing a couple locations, and then calling the local resource and referral agency in that area and asking for stats.

If you're looking to get into the daycare business as a money-making business venture, you might be better off with say, a food-court restaurant. Daycare is not the business to get into to make the big bucks...

[Maria2013]

Daycare is not the business to get into to make the big bucks...

I agree, one can make good money but expenses are many and take away a large amount

[heyhun77]

If you were able to find a place to live yourself in the Williston, ND area you would have a full daycare center in a heartbeat. They have a giant childcare shortage there. At one point there were, and maybe still are, incentives for opening childcare centers in that part of the state. The toughest part is finding housing for yourself and keeping good staff members. You could find information at ndchildcare.org and if nothing else contact someone in their Western North Dakota office.

[BusinessMom]

Thanks for all the replies so far and thanks a lot for suggesting ND. I hope I get even more helpful responses.

Some daycare center's rates are quite high. May I ask what kind of expenses will deplete a large amount of my earnings? And what percent of my earnings can I expect to keep?

[Laurel]

Not sure but I can tell you one that doesn't. You can take Southeast Florida off your list.

Laurel

[Maria2013]

Thanks for all the replies so far and thanks a lot for suggesting ND. I hope I get even more helpful responses.

Some daycare center's rates are quite high. May I ask what kind of expenses will deplete a large amount of my earnings? And what percent of my earnings can I expect to keep?

I'm speaking in my own " in home daycare" experience...I do a lot for the kids in my care and it is expensive between basic supply (cleaning, food, etc) curriculum supply (ink, arts suppl. books etc.) and equipment update (replacement of warn out toys, new stimulating activities etc.)

I assumed a center makes more but also has larger expenses and employment to cover, perhaps I'm wrong

good luck to you

[BusinessMom]

Thanks for the luck.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Not sure but I can tell you one that doesn't. You can take Southeast Florida off your list.

Laurel

And Southwest Florida too.

OP, I opened a center, and it is not easy. I bought the real estate though, leasing was way to expensive. The list of expenses is long. Staff, insurance, security alarm monitoring, fire alarm inspections and monitoring, maintenance, taxes, utilities, credit card processing, omg......it's a long list.

I opened a small center, that I run with my husband and one staffer. I do ok, but competition is stiff. Location, location and location are most important, in that order. ::

[Laurel]

And Southwest Florida too.

OP, I opened a center, and it is not easy. I bought the real estate though, leasing was way to expensive. The list of expenses is long. Staff, insurance, security alarm monitoring, fire alarm inspections and monitoring, maintenance, taxes, utilities, credit card processing, omg......it's a long list.

I opened a small center, that I run with my husband and one staffer. I do ok, but competition is stiff. Location, location and location are most important, in that order. ::

My friend who now does it in her home used to own two centers at one time. Her advice was you either need to own a building or find room in a church type place. She said otherwise your rent will increase each year but your capacity will not expand. You only have so many you can have in a building. I think church sites either do it for free (to protect their tax exempt status) or is way lower than commercial sites. I used to work in a preschool that was connected to a Catholic mission but I was never involved in the business end of it. The director was a very cheap person (but nice) so I'm sure she got a deal. She was always looking for a deal.

Laurel