Just like quality baking depends on the best ingredients, finding the proper business location for your childcare business depends on three important ingredients—visibility, easy access, and the maximum capacity of children.
Let’s take a look at each of these special ingredients and consider how they will impact your future business.
Visibility
When you are considering a location, visibility is critical. Will people see your location as they drive by? Is the building you are considering well maintained? Are you positioned in a location where lots of families live? Can you place appropriate signage to draw attention to your new location? Are there other businesses nearby that cater to families and to children in your target age group? These are all questions you need to ask yourself when you are considering a location that will be ideal for your new business.
Easy Access
Another very important factor is the accessibility of the location. Will there be adequate parking for parents? Is there an easy way for children to be dropped off and picked up? Is the entrance safe? Are there other businesses or other situations that might cause your location to be blocked off? And easy access doesn’t only refer to the outside of your location. What about accessibility inside? Are there adequate restrooms for both staff and children? What is the access for children or staff who are handicapped? Does the layout provide a good flow for moving around so that activities will have plenty of space? Is there a way for you to keep a separation from daycare or classroom space versus needed administrative areas?
Maximum Capacity of Children
The number of children you take into your daycare or childcare facility will be largely dependent on the number of staff you have available and the space you have. Too small a number of children will make it difficult to run a profitable, active center. Too many might mean your space is too crowded and your staff can’t adequately run the center. According to the national organization Caring For Our Children, CFOC, there should be about 50 square feet of floor space per child.