Start a Preschool
Preschools provide an introduction to schooling for children between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years old. Preschools are different from daycares, because they are more limited in the ages of attending children, the children only attend for a few hours per day and there is usually a specific educational focus and curriculum. Preschools are usually licensed by the state and require staff with some educational background or experience. The following steps will guide you in starting a preschool.
Contents
Steps
- Check state laws regarding preschool licensing.
- Check with state or regional agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Child Welfare or the Division of Child Development.
- You can also find individual state child care licensing requirements on the Internet at relevant Government websites, if these apply.
- Opening a preschool usually involves a license application, criminal background checks and facility inspections.
- Meet the educational requirements set by your state for preschool teachers and directors or plan to hire someone who does.
- Some states or regions require a degree or credits in education for a preschool director or lead teachers.
- Obtain a business license based on local and state requirements and create a legal business entity.
- Find state and local business licensing requirements by visiting the Small Business Administration's website at here If this is applicable to your situation.
- You will also need to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you will be hiring teachers or a director. This can be done by going to http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online. This may not apply outside of the U.S..
- The formal business entity you choose (sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership) will determine the type of additional paperwork you will need. Forms are filed with the state and federal government or other appropriate government agencies.
- Create a business plan and school plan for your preschool.
- The most important aspect of your preschool business plan will be determining your budget and securing financing, whether through loans, grants or other means.
- Other questions that should be addressed in the business and school plan are preschool location, hours of operation, the number of children, the age of children, tuition, plans for hiring employees school policies and instructional plans.
- Secure a location for your preschool.
- You must first determine if you will be operating from your house or another location
- Some states or regions have specific requirements for the amount of space that you need and safety, fire and health inspections will be required.
- You can buy or lease a facility for a preschool location.
- Purchase furniture and supplies for your preschool.
- You will need an educational supplies, furniture and safety supplies.
- Hire employees for your preschool.
- If you plan on hiring teachers and assistants, make sure their experience and qualifications match the regional requirements for preschool teachers.
- Highly qualified teachers and staff will help you to attract more students.
- Obtain insurance for your preschool business.
- You will need to have liability insurance for your preschool location, whether it is in your own house or in an outside facility. Contact your insurance provider to arrange the right type and level of insurance.
- Market your preschool.
- Advertise your new preschool in the community through flyers, newspaper ads, church bulletins and word of mouth.
- Launch a website for your preschool to provide information to prospective preschool parents.
- Begin admitting students to your new preschool.
- Work through issues as they arise.
Tips
- There are many Curriculum providers, who may help you in having proper Curriculum, some are - Preschool for Child Rights, The Zero Curriculum.
- You may want to start out small, with fewer students and classes, and grow slowly as you learn the business.
- You can apply for National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation for your preschool, which is a symbol to parents of a high quality preschool education program.
- Creating a formal business entity for your preschool will provide additional liability protection for you and your assets.
Warnings
- Be prepared for unannounced fire, health and other safety inspections.
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