How To Start A Preschool With Pictures

How many preschools are currently operating in your area. Whether any particular populations of kids are underserved by preschools in your area (e. g. , kids with disabilities or kids from low-income families). What kinds of educational philosophies or approaches are represented in your community’s preschools. Which schools are successful, and which are not (e. g. , based on your local school quality rating system or parent reviews). The typical budget and tuition rates for preschools in your area. You can get a lot of this type of information through your local department of commerce, child resource agencies, or the Small Business Administration. [2] X Research source

Sole proprietorships are relatively inexpensive to start and maintain, but you will be personally liable in case of any accidents that take place at your school. Any debts will also be your personal responsibility. You will also need to pay both personal and business taxes related to your school. This may be a good option if you are planning to run a small preschool from your home.

You may need to pay higher taxes to run an LLC than you would for a sole proprietorship.

Non-profit schools are more likely than for-profit schools to attract large contributions from donors, since these gifts are tax-deductible. [6] X Research source If you create a nonprofit, you will need to file annual reports on your school’s finances and activities. [7] X Research source

Organizations like Parent Cooperative Preschools International (https://www. preschools. coop/) can help you get started and connect you with helpful resources.

Franchises are potentially very profitable, but you must also be prepared to invest a lot of money at the outset. [9] X Research source To find potential preschool franchise opportunities, do a general web search or try a website like FranchiseGator. com.

You may need to contact multiple agencies or offices in your area for full information on licensing requirements. In Illinois, for example, you must obtain childcare licenses from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services. [10] X Research source If you plan to establish a preschool in Chicago, your facility must also adhere to guidelines established by Chicago’s Department of Public Health. [11] X Research source Licensing standards may include things like background and health checks for all staff, minimum space requirements per child, building safety requirements, and guidelines for appropriate educational programming. In the U. S. , you can find licensing information for your state with this database: https://childcareta. acf. hhs. gov/licensing.

Do a search using terms like “state early learning standards Texas. ” The education agency in your state, province or municipality may provide training workshops and educational materials for educators interested in learning about these guidelines.

Curriculum and assessment. Learning environment. Staff qualifications. Family engagement. Administrative practices.

For example, you might write a statement emphasizing that your school will provide play-based curriculum, provide access to quality education and a safe environment for underserved kids, and focus on community and family engagement. There are numerous examples of preschool philosophy statements online. These can serve as a good model for your statement. For example, you might start by reading over the samples here: https://ccids. umaine. edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/01/Sample-Program-Philosophy-Statements. pdf.

An overview of what your research on the preschool market in your community. Basic information about the school you plan to establish, such as the school’s name and legal structure (i. e. , will it be a non-profit school or an LLC?). Information about your goals and philosophies for the school. A plan for meeting your area’s licensing requirements. A plan for what type of location you would like to use (e. g. , will you operate out of your home or rent a commercial space?). A budget for expenses such as rent, school supplies, utilities, staff salaries, food, maintenance, and playground equipment. Hiring and marketing plans.

Montessori, a teaching approach that focuses on the hands-on, individualized learning. Waldorf, which focuses on establishing clear and consistent routines and group-oriented learning. Project-based approaches that focuses on the individual interests and strengths of each child. Play-based curriculum, which focuses on unstructured, hands-on learning without a strong focus on academic content. Academic approaches, such as High/Scope, that focus on building a strong foundation for academic skills such as reading and math.

If your school district does not have an early childhood coordinator, find out if your state or province has an early childhood education network. These networks connect various local agencies that are involved in early learning, and they may have a variety of resources available for you. Try doing a search for terms like “early childhood coordinator my state. ”

In order to attract investors, you will need a strong business plan that clearly demonstrates why your preschool is needed in your community. Reach out to people in your professional network to find out if they know anyone who might be interested in investing. You can also consider running a crowdfunding campaign on a website like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to get support for your school.

If you live in the U. S. , contact the lead child care agency in your state to find out what kinds of grants and funds are available for new preschools. You can find the contact information for your state’s lead agency here: https://www. acf. hhs. gov/occ/resource/ccdf-grantee-state-and-territory-contacts. You can find more information by contacting your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) office. To find CCR&R information for your area, visit http://www. childcareaware. org/ or call Child Care Aware at 1-800-424-2246. The Small Business Administration can also help you connect with financial resources if you are hoping to start a preschool in the U. S.

Ensure that your space confirms to local licensing, zoning, health, and safety requirements. Select a space that is large enough to accommodate all the students and staff safely and comfortably. Find a space that is comfortable, pleasant, and has sufficient outdoor play space. Check that your space has bathrooms, room for storage, areas where staff can work, and areas where children can eat, rest, play and learn.

If you live in the U. S. , consult the Small Business Administration’s website on the different types of business insurance here: https://www. sba. gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/get-business-insurance. The types of insurance you need may also vary depending on local preschool licensing laws.

Also consider what other staff members your school may need, such as administrators and maintenance staff.

Specific degrees or types of education (e. g. , a BA in Early Childhood Education). Teaching certifications related to early childhood education. A certain level of direct teaching experience (e. g. , do teachers need to have spent a certain amount of time student-teaching before becoming full-time preschool teachers?). There may also be age requirements for some positions. E. g. , in Maryland, a preschool director must be at least 21 years of age. [22] X Research source

Provide specific information about what you are looking for. For example, you might say, “I’m starting a new Montessori preschool. Do you know any good American Montessori Society certified teachers who are looking for work?”

State and federal criminal history checks, based on name and fingerprints. A child abuse registry check. A sex offender registry check.