Find the right place to build your childcare business.

A childcare facility isn’t just a building.

Your location can determine how many children you can serve, what licenses you can obtain, how much you need to invest, and whether the business works financially.

FIND A SPACE helps childcare entrepreneurs understand the real estate side of ownership—from identifying a property and evaluating zoning to financing, renovating, leasing, and eventually owning the facility where their business operates.

01 Understand What Your Business Needs

Start with the program—not the property listing.

Before searching for a building, understand what your childcare model requires.

Program Type
Ages Served
Desired Capacity
Indoor Space
Outdoor Space
Parking & Drop-Off
Accessibility
Licensing Requirements
Staffing

A property that looks perfect online may not support the childcare business you intend to operate.

02 Understand Zoning & Permitted Use

Make sure childcare can actually operate there.

Before signing a lease or purchasing property, investigate whether your intended childcare use is allowed.

Depending on the property and jurisdiction, you may encounter: Zoning • Conditional Use Permits • Building Codes • Fire Requirements • Occupancy Rules • Parking Requirements • Accessibility Standards • Local Permits

California also has specific protections affecting family childcare homes.

IMPORTANT

Never assume a property can legally operate as your intended childcare business simply because it was previously used for childcare or a landlord says it can. Confirm requirements before making a financial commitment.

03 Lease a Childcare Space

Understand the commitment before signing.

Leasing can reduce the upfront cost of acquiring real estate, but childcare businesses can require significant investment in a property they don’t own.

Professional legal and real-estate advice may be appropriate before signing.

04 BUY A PROPERTY

Your business can create income. Your property can create an asset.

For some childcare entrepreneurs, purchasing the facility may eventually make more sense than continuing to lease.

Ownership can potentially provide:

Purchasing commercial real estate also introduces financing requirements, maintenance responsibilities, property expenses, and additional risk.

05 Finance the Facility

Real estate requires a different capital strategy.

Facility financing may involve:

SBA Financing
CDFIs
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Childcare Facility Programs
Community Lenders
State & Local Programs
Grants
Owner Equity

CBCH connects users to verified facility-financing resources and current program information.

06 Renovate & Prepare the Space

Finding the building isn't the finish line.

Potential costs can include:

Construction
Classroom Build-Out
Bathrooms
Accessibility Improvements
Fire & Life Safety
Outdoor Play Areas
Security
Furniture & Equipment
Permitting
Professional Fees

Build these costs into your financial plan before deciding whether a property is affordable.

07 Consider Family Childcare at Home

Your first childcare property may already be your home.

For some entrepreneurs, a family childcare home can provide a lower-cost pathway into business ownership.

California law includes protections affecting licensed family childcare in rented and owned residences. CBCH should link users to current authoritative resources rather than attempt to replace licensing/legal guidance.

Before You Sign

Ask the questions before you spend the money

Can my intended childcare use operate here? • What licensed capacity could the property realistically support? • What renovations will be required? • Who pays for improvements? • What will total occupancy cost be? • How long could licensing and construction take? • Do I have enough capital before enrollment generates revenue? • Does the property still work if enrollment takes longer than expected?

The cheapest property isn’t necessarily the cheapest childcare facility.

Mission Callout

Owning the business is powerful. Owning the asset can change the equation.

CBCH’s mission is to expand Black ownership within childcare.
Where financially appropriate, that can also mean helping entrepreneurs understand pathways toward owning the real estate underneath those businesses. Business ownership can create income. Real estate ownership can create equity. Together, they can become part of building long-term wealth.

CBCH won’t tell entrepreneurs that purchasing property is always the right decision. We will make sure they understand that ownership can be an option.

Future Feature

Coming Later: CBCH Childcare Property Marketplace

Future marketplace concept:

Existing Childcare Centers
Former Childcare Facilities
Commercial Properties
Businesses for Sale
Lease Opportunities
Development Sites
Marketing Consulting

Future listings could include childcare-relevant facility characteristics and financing resources.

V1 REQUIREMENT: informational preview only. Do not build listings/marketplace functionality.

Professional Help

Real estate decisions shouldn't happen in isolation.

Potential professionals:

Commercial Real Estate Brokers
Attorneys
Architects
Contractors
Lenders
Insurance Professionals
Licensing Consultants • Accountants

Paid or sponsored relationships will always be clearly identified.

Next Step

Once the doors are open, build something bigger.

Increase enrollment. Improve profitability. Strengthen your systems. Expand capacity. Open another location.