Planning a Business: Childcare

Needs Assessment

• What have you thought about so far?
• Do you have a business plan? If so, next question. If not, general starting a business resources.

Question Index

Marketing

Questions related to marketing in general and applicable across contexts.

• How do I find out who my potential customers are?
• How might I reach my potential customers?
• What kinds of marketing activities are possible?

Here are some industry-specific additional pointers:

Competition

Questions related to understanding competitors in a market

• How do I find out who my (potential) competitors are?

Here are some industry-specific additional pointers:

Revenue/Sales

• How can I estimate how much I could earn from my business?
• How might my potential customers pay for my goods and services?
• What kinds of sales channels are possible?
• What kinds of revenue streams are possible?

Here are some industry-specific pointers:

• Market Rate Surveys are conducted by Maryland Public Schools - July 2019 Survey Rates
• Might also be helpful to get in touch with local associations. Here are some that are currently active:
  • http://www.pccpnpgc.org/
  • http://latinochildcareassociationmd.com/ (had an event as recently as May 2021)
  • MD State Organization: https://www.msfcca.org/

Expenses/Operations

Here are some general questions/resources

• What might it cost to run my business?
• How do I find out who my potential partners are?
• How can I find or choose a location for my business?
• How do I get medical benefits for myself and my employees?
• Where can I get funding?

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

Legal

Here are some general questions to consider

• How do I get official?
• What do I need to do to comply with tax laws?

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

• This link has a helpful guide for how to find the right regulations for childcare businesses in Maryland: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/regulations
  • People at the Resource:Prince George’s Child Resource Center can assist with navigating the right regulations for your childcare business

Business Plan

Here are some general questions to consider

• How do I write a business plan?

If a business plan draft is ready and it may be time to look to local resources for registering and Launching a Business.

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

Childcare Resources

Here is a list of childcare resources to choose from to assist you with creating your business:

• CDA Grant Program
• Center for Child Care Workforce
• Child Care Aware of America
• Child Care CCPDF
• Child Care Credential Program
• Child Care Exchange
• Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program
• Child Care Scholarship
• Child Trends
• Family Child Care Alliance of Maryland
• Family Child Care Provider Direct Grant Program
• Maryland Child Care Resource Network
• Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood, COVID-19 Updates
• Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood Development, Office of Child Care
• Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood Development, Office of Child Care - Child Care Licensing Forms
• Maryland State Department of Education, School and Community Nutrition Program
• National Child Care Information Center