The Basics of Starting a Child-Care Business

Book excerpt: As more families shift to both parents working outside the home, the demand for high-quality child care continues to rise, creating ample opportunity for entrepreneurs like you. Now that you've identified the market need, what's next? How do you set up something as complicated as a child-care center? The Basics of Starting a Child-Care Business, the first book in The Business of Child Care series, walks readers through each step of planning, developing, and launching their own child-care business. Regardless of the scale--joining an established franchise, creating an on-site center at your office, or hosting a program in your home--entrepreneurial expert Marnie Forestieri, CDA, will guide you from start to finish: Understand the economics of the child-care business Write a comprehensive business plan Prepare a thorough financial plan Develop efficient operations for smooth day-to-day functioning Master marketing to promote your business to potential customers Provide excellent quality control and customer service