Child Care Series: How to Start and Grow a Child Care Business
Dreaming about opening a home daycare or child care center...but not sure where to start? This practical online Child Care Series breaks it all down and helps you turn that idea into a real, sustainable business.
Across four engaging 90-minute live virtual sessions and using recorded videos, experienced child care industry experts walk you through the essentials every successful owner needs to know—from deciding if child care is the right business for you to choosing the right location, setting tuition, securing funding, writing a business plan, designing a safe and compliant space, navigating licensing, and marketing your program to attract families. While the State of Texas is used as an example, the information applies to every state because all child care centers and home daycares are licensed by HHS (Health and Human Services), a federal agency. This live series is moderated by Shannon Black, owner of Montessori child care centers in Austin, Texas, and a SCORE Mentor. She brings real-world experience to every session and is available for Q&A at each session. Walk away with practical, immediately usable tools to help your child care business thrive!
Mon, March 30 – Thurs, April 2, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Registration link from Regional
March 30--Session #1: Is Starting a Child Care Business Right for Me? + Crafting a Business Plan
Thinking about opening a child care business but not sure if this is a passion project…or a stress-inducing money pit? In this session, we’ll help you honestly assess whether child care ownership fits your lifestyle, finances, risk tolerance, and long-term goals. Spoiler: loving kids is not enough. We’ll then walk step-by-step through crafting a solid, lender-ready business plan—the kind that answers tough questions and actually gets used (not one that lives in a drawer). You’ll leave with a clear vision, a strong foundation, and a plan you can build on.
March 31--Session #2: Getting Licensed + How to Secure a Loan
Licensing can feel overwhelming, confusing, and full of “wait…what?” moments. In this session, we’ll break down the licensing process in plain English—what’s required, what inspectors look for, common pitfalls, and how to move through it efficiently without losing your sanity. Then we’ll shift to money: how to actually pay for this dream. We’ll cover loans, grants, and funding options, what lenders want to see, and how to present yourself as a strong, credible borrower -- even if this is your first business.
April 1--Session #3: Where to Open and What to Charge + How to Forecast Like a Pro
Choosing the wrong location -- or pricing your program incorrectly -- can sink an otherwise great child care business. In this session, you’ll learn how to evaluate locations, demographics, competition, and demand so you open where families actually are. We’ll also tackle tuition pricing (the most emotional topic of all). You’ll learn how to set rates that are competitive and profitable. Then we’ll dive into financial forecasting so you understand enrollment targets and break-even points.
April 2--Session #4: Designing Your Space, Zoning + Smooth Operations (SOPs)
This session focuses on the day-to-day reality of running a child care business. We’ll cover how to design your space for licensing, safety, learning, and efficiency -- plus how zoning and local regulations impact where and how you operate. Then we’ll dig into operations: systems, routines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that keep your center running smoothly, even when you’re not there. From daily workflows to staff consistency, this is how you create a business that doesn’t depend on you doing everything. Wrap-up Q&A with Shannon Black to tie the entire series together and set you up for launch.
