Turn the idea into a business.
You know you want to build something in childcare. The next question is figuring out what you actually need to do to make it real.
START brings together the information and resources you need to understand your options, establish the business, navigate licensing, and prepare to open.
Choose Business model
Choose Your Business Model
What kind of childcare business are you building?
Before worrying about licenses, financing, or facilities, determine what you’re actually trying to create.
Depending on your goals and location, that might include:
- A family childcare home
- A childcare center
- An infant/toddler program
- Preschool or early learning
- School-age care
- An existing childcare business you acquire
Each model comes with different startup costs, licensing requirements, staffing needs, capacity limits, and facility considerations. CBCH helps you understand those differences before you start spending money.
Know the rules before you build.
Understand Licensing & Requirements
Childcare is a regulated industry, and requirements vary by state, facility type, ages served, and program model.
You may need to navigate:
Licensing
Background Checks
Staff Qualifications
Health & Safet
Ratios & Capacity
Facility Requirements
Inspections
Required Training
For California entrepreneurs, CBCH provides direct access to current California Department of Social Services licensing information alongside resources that can help you understand the process.
IMPORTANT: CBCH provides educational information and links to authoritative resources. Licensing requirements can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with your licensing agency.
Understand Your Startup Costs
Know what opening will actually cost.
Startup costs can vary dramatically depending on whether you’re opening from your home, leasing an existing childcare facility, renovating commercial space, acquiring a business, or developing a new facility.
Your budget may need to account for
Licensing fees
Property costs
Deposits
Renovations
Furniture & equipment
Classroom materials
Insurance, Payroll & Technology
Marketing & Professional services
Before looking for funding, understand how much you actually need and what you need it for.
Put the idea on paper.
Create Your Business Plan
A useful business plan doesn't need to be 75 pages long.
It should help you answer:
- Who will you serve?
- How many children can you enroll?
- What will you charge?
- What will staffing cost?
- What are your monthly expenses?
- How will families find you?
- How much money do you need to open?
- When could the business become sustainable?
Your business plan can also become important when approaching lenders, investors, landlords, grant programs, and business-development organizations.
Prepare for Funding
Don't wait until you need money to understand your options.
Funding a childcare business may involve several sources rather than one check.
Depending on your business and eligibility, those could include:
- Personal capital
- Grants
- Micro-loans
- SBA-backed financing
- CDFIs
- Facility financing
- Community lenders
- Local programs
CBCH can help you understand what’s available and prepare before you apply.
Think About Space Early
Your business model and your property have to work together.
If your childcare business requires a physical location, don’t treat real estate as an afterthought.
Before signing a lease or buying property, you may need to understand:
- Zoning
- Licensing capacity
- Outdoor-space requirements
- Parking & Accessibility
- Fire and safety requirements
- Renovation costs
- Permitted use
- Landlord restrictions
A beautiful building isn’t useful if you can’t legally or financially operate your program there.
Resource Directory
Find the resources to take your next step.
Browse CBCH’s vetted START resources for licensing, business formation, planning, training, technical assistance, and startup support.
Location | Business Model
Find resources relevant to where you operate and the type of childcare business you're building.
|Resource Type
Browse resources by what you need, from licensing and funding to operations and business support.
Black Entrepreneur Resources
Explore resources, programs, and organizations specifically supporting Black entrepreneurs and business owners.
Mission Callout
Ownership starts with knowing how to begin.
Access to information, professional networks, capital, and experienced guidance can influence who successfully moves from “I want to own a business” to “I own one.”
CBCH is deliberately building that infrastructure with a focus on helping more Black entrepreneurs make that transition within childcare.
You still have to build the business. You shouldn’t have to figure out where to start by yourself.
Mission Callout
Once you've started, build something that lasts.
Opening the doors is only the beginning.
Learn how to manage compliance, people, finances, insurance, systems, and everyday operations.