If you’re an aspiring daycare operator, you might be wondering what your options are for entering the industry. Generally, there are two main paths: building a daycare from scratch or buying an existing business. Each of these paths has several sub-options, depending on your background, experience, and risk tolerance.
Option 1: Build From Scratch
- Open independently: Start your own daycare from the ground up.
- Work with a consultant: Partner with an experienced professional to guide you through the setup process.
- Join a franchise: Operate under a proven business model with support in areas like branding, marketing, and operations.
Option 2: Buy an Existing Business
- Buy a thriving business: Take over a well-run, profitable daycare with an established client base.
- Buy a fixer-upper: Acquire a struggling daycare and turn it around. This option requires strong business skills and daycare experience.
- Buy a CWELCC-enrolled business: Purchase a daycare already part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system, which comes with government funding but also regulatory requirements.
How to Choose the Right Path
Your best option depends on your experience and comfort with risk and operations:
- Experienced Operators:
If you’ve worked as a supervisor or helped launch a daycare before, starting your own from scratch may be a viable and rewarding option. - Educators Without Business Experience:
If you’re a teacher or early childhood educator with limited business knowledge, consider hiring a consultant or joining a franchise. These options provide guidance in areas like marketing, operations, and finding your niche. - No Daycare Background:
If you’re new to the daycare world, the safest approach is to either join a franchise or purchase a well-run, existing daycare or a CWELCC approved daycare. These paths offer structure and reduce the learning curve. - Fixer-Upper Caution:
Buying a struggling business can be a high-risk, high-reward opportunity—but only for those with solid business and daycare operations experience. This route is not recommended for beginners.
By assessing your background honestly and understanding your options, you can choose a path that increases your chances of long-term success in the daycare industry.
