What’s Inside

Childcare 

Startup Academy

Module 1

Setting The Foundation

In Module 1, we’ll lay the groundwork for your childcare business, ensuring you start with a strong foundation that sets you up for long-term success.

You’ll begin by defining your core motivation, helping you stay focused and driven throughout your journey. Next, we’ll guide you in choosing the right program type that aligns with your vision and goals. Understanding and meeting your state’s licensing requirements will be made simple, ensuring your business is legally compliant from day one.

Highlights:

➡️ Uncover Your Core Motivation: Discover your “why” and keep it as your driving force. Through self-reflective exercises, you’ll align your childcare business with your core values and long-term goals, ensuring you stay passionate and motivated.

➡️ Choose the Perfect Program Type: Learn about various childcare programs—home-based, centers, preschools, and after-school programs. Evaluate the pros and cons to select the best fit for your vision and lifestyle, setting you up for success from the start.

➡️ Master Licensing Requirements: Gain a clear understanding of your state’s licensing requirements. Navigate the legalities with ease, gather necessary documentation, and ensure your business meets all compliance standards, avoiding any legal pitfalls.

➡️ Conquer Initial Roadblocks: Face common challenges head-on with practical solutions. Whether it’s lacking credentials or dealing with background checks, you’ll find effective strategies to overcome these obstacles and move forward with confidence.

Module 2

Planning & Budgeting

This module is all about analyzing the market, researching your competitors, and planning your ideal childcare business...one that will align with your life and vision. You'll also learn how make a budget that ensures you're profitable and estimate your startup expenses. You’ll move forward with clarity and confidence, knowing exactly how to lay a strong financial foundation.

Highlights:

➡️ Market Analysis: Discover how to find the perfect location for your childcare business. Identify key indicators of thriving areas, evaluate demographics, and avoid saturated markets to ensure demand for your services. Feel assured that your choice is backed by solid data instead of guesswork.

➡️ Researching Local Childcare Businesses: Understand your competition by researching local providers. Learn how to position your business effectively and stand out. Move forward with confidence, knowing how to differentiate yourself.

➡️ Defining Your Business Details: Get clear on your business specifics, from the ages you'll cater to and services you'll offer to your operational details. Create a unique value proposition that reflects your vision and values.

➡️ Making A Mock-Up Budget: Create a realistic budget to understand your income and expenses. Calculate payroll, operational costs, and set financial goals to ensure profitability. Manage your finances with ease and confidence.

➡️ Estimating Start-up Costs: Break down startup costs for home-based programs and centers. Understand your investments in licensing, legal fees, renovations, and equipment. Be financially prepared for success.

Module 3

Obtaining Funding

This module is all about securing the funds you need to start and grow your childcare business. You’ll move forward clear and confident, knowing exactly how to craft a compelling business plan, choose the right legal structure, and explore various funding options.

Highlights:

➡️ Writing a Business Plan: Learn to create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your vision, strategies, and financial projections. This roadmap will not only help you secure funding but also guide your decision-making process. Feel empowered with a clear, actionable plan.

➡️ Business Registration & Legal Set-Up: Understand the steps to legally establish your childcare business. From choosing a business name to selecting a legal structure, get everything set up correctly and with ease. Move forward knowing you’re compliant and ready for success.

➡️ Exploring Funding Options: Discover multiple funding avenues such as bank loans, SBA loans, personal loans, and seller financing. Learn the pros and cons of each to find the best fit for your business. Avoid the pitfalls and move forward with confidence.

➡️ Creative Funding Options: Explore innovative ways to fund your business, including crowdfunding, partnerships, and angel investors. Learn how to leverage community support and reduce financial stress. Feel supported and resourceful as you build your dream.

Module 4

Location & Facility Prep

We'll dive into everything you need to know about selecting and setting up the perfect location for your childcare business. From finding the right space to preparing for state inspections, this module covers it all. By the end, you'll be confident and ready to open your doors with a facility that’s safe, welcoming, and fully compliant.

Highlights:

➡️ Choosing Your Location/Facility: Learn how to pick the perfect spot for your childcare center. We’ll cover state requirements, what to look for in a location, leasing terms, negotiation strategies, and even purchasing existing businesses. Get the clarity you need to make the best choice for your budget and needs.

➡️ Facility Setup & Compliance: Discover the steps to get your facility state-compliant. This includes preparing your physical space, making necessary renovations, obtaining licenses and permits, and securing insurance. Ensure your facility meets all regulatory standards and is ready to welcome children.

➡️ Furnishing Your Space: Find out how to equip your childcare center with all the essentials. From safety equipment to age-appropriate toys and learning materials, we’ll guide you through creating a functional and appealing environment for kids, staff, and parents.

➡️ Policies & Documentation: Develop comprehensive policies and procedures for your business. Gather all necessary documents, forms, and handbooks required for licensing. Build a solid foundation to ensure consistency, fairness, and legal compliance.

➡️ Preparing for Inspection: Feel confident navigating the inspection process. This lesson will guide you through submitting your application, creating a detailed checklist of state requirements, ensuring all paperwork is complete, and making sure your facility meets all state standards. Be fully prepared and secure in your compliance.

Module 5

Hiring Quality Staff

In this module, you'll learn how to prepare to hire for your childcare business. 

You’ll learn where to find quality candidates and how to conduct virtual interviews, when to do in-person interviews, what questions to ask and not ask during the interviewing process.

You'll discover how to give an effective orientation upon hiring and a step-by-step training plan to set them up for success and a long-lasting future with your company.

Highlights:

➡️ Learn how to prepare to hire for your childcare business, from applying for an EIN to the documents needed and setting up payroll and managing benefits. 

➡️ Learn HOW and WHERE to find quality candidates and eliminate the dreadful searching process. I'll give you the best places to post your job offers and give you all the details of my favorite creative ways to find the right people.

➡️ Learn the best ways to give both virtual and in-person interviews and how to stay legal in your questioning.

➡️ Learn how to give an effective orientation and what topics to cover.

➡️ Learn the different methods you should use to train every new hire and the 2 biggest mistakes you should avoid. You'll be given The Ultimate Training Cheatsheet with a 2 week training plan for your new hire.

➡️ Learn how to create a positive work environment and incorporate massive FUN into your workplace with my Fun Workplace Activities Cheatsheet  (8 pages of fun celebrations, games, contests, challenges, and activities to do with your team).

Module 6

Marketing and Enrolling

In Module 6, you'll learn how to effectively market your childcare business to attract and enroll new families. Marketing is essential for building a solid reputation, establishing trust within your community, and filling your program with happy, engaged children.

You’ll discover how to create a strong brand, develop an engaging website, and leverage social media to generate interest even before you open your doors. 

Highlights:

➡️ Creating a Website: Learn how to build a professional website that serves as the central hub for your business. From designing a logo to automating enrollment and hiring, you’ll have all the tools to make your online presence shine.

➡️ Social Media Mastery: Discover how to create and manage social media pages, post engaging content, and use advertising to reach a broader audience. Learn the best practices for organic reach and advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

➡️ Email Marketing: Understand the power of email marketing to keep in touch with interested families, provide valuable information, and encourage enrollment. Learn how to set up automated email sequences and use platforms like Mailchimp and Canva.

➡️ Printed Materials: Explore the various types of printed materials you can use to market your childcare business and how to create and distribute them effectively. From brochures to business cards, make sure your printed materials reflect your brand identity.

➡️ Creative Advertising: Implement innovative strategies to stand out in the competitive childcare market. Learn about offering enrollment incentives, hosting open houses, partnering with local businesses, and leveraging word of mouth.

➡️ Expert Tips for Answering Phones: Master the art of phone calls to boost enrollment. Learn how to answer quickly, speak warmly, listen actively, and book tours confidently. Get tips on using scarcity to close the deal and follow up effectively.

➡️ Giving Tours That Wow: Provide a "LOVE IT" experience for families touring your center. Learn how to evaluate your facility’s appearance, prepare tour packets, choose the right tour guide, and offer incentives to enroll on the spot.