How Much $ to Start Your Daycare

[Learning Daycare]

I'm in the development phase of starting my daycare and I was wondering, how much did it cost for you start up your daycare? I'm trying to be realistic here and determine how much I'll be looking at. I'm talking everything from licensing, equipment, advertisement (biz cards, brochures, fliers) and whatever else you can think of. If you can itemize costs as much as possible, I would greatly appreciate it!

[Blackcat31]

Unfortunately you are going to receive tons of different responses as each state has different requirements for licensing fees, insurance and required equipment and materials.

Also the number of children allowed per caregiver also varies from state to state.

Some states allow no more than 5 children while others allow as many as 12 per caregiver.

A lot of providers also started in home child care while their own children were young so they more than likely had toys and equipment from their own children to use.

For me personally, I had some toys and equipment but I also bought a completely separate house to run my child care out of so my start up costs are going to be very different than the next providers start up costs...kwim?

Having an in-home child care is alot like any other business....you start out thinking you have everything covered, only to spend more and more and more and more....

I've been in this business for two decades and I still have a wish list a mile long of things I am still hoping to get/buy.

[vlkela]

following for assistance as well

[Unregistered]

It cost me close to $12,000.
Between the remodel of our walk out basement (carpet, tile, paint, trim, new toilet, sink)
Daycare equipment (shelves, tables, chairs, cubbies, cots, pack n plays, high chairs, toys, book, supplies)
Licensing and zoning requirements.
Plus advertising.
Playground equipment.
Yes,close to $12,000.
The only equipment I bought new was the shelves and tables and chairs because I wanted it to last until I retire.
Everything else was garage sales,craigslist,donations and ebay.
It really can cost as much or as little as you want.
My friend opened a daycare and had two little ones already so it cost her around $1000 to add some new stuff and licensing costs.
I run mine a little like a center and she has hers in her main living area.
I will say that it does cost money to make money but you don't have to go over board at first.I've added new things every year.I usually invest between $2500-$5000 back into my daycare every year depending on the year.

[KidGrind]

For me it was about a $500 years ago.

When I switch gears in 2013, I’ve spent about $500.

Note: I am constantly buy things for the business. I just brought Roku and TV for the daycare area.

[midaycare]

$12,000 which included putting up a fence and some indoor repairs.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

It cost me close to $12,000.
Between the remodel of our walk out basement (carpet, tile, paint, trim, new toilet, sink)
Daycare equipment (shelves, tables, chairs, cubbies, cots, pack n plays, high chairs, toys, book, supplies)
Licensing and zoning requirements.
Plus advertising.
Playground equipment.
Yes,close to $12,000.
The only equipment I bought new was the shelves and tables and chairs because I wanted it to last until I retire.
Everything else was garage sales,craigslist,donations and ebay.
It really can cost as much or as little as you want.
My friend opened a daycare and had two little ones already so it cost her around $1000 to add some new stuff and licensing costs.
I run mine a little like a center and she has hers in her main living area.
I will say that it does cost money to make money but you don't have to go over board at first.I've added new things every year.I usually invest between $2500-$5000 back into my daycare every year depending on the year.

I also run mine like a center but did not remodel anything beyond tearing down a wall. I also did not install any playground equipment as we have 6 areas we walk to quite quickly in my area. I spent about $5,000 and most of my stuff was new. I have added a bit each year since then.

[TwinKristi]

$60 to apply for a license
$180 for my required CPR & Healthy/Safety classes
$110 for dh's fingerprints & TB test
$20 for an extra high chair booster seat
$160 double stroller (later sold for $80)
$150 various toys, cubbies, wall posters, locks, safety stuff, etc.

Everything else I already had or was able to find used for very cheap over time. I purchased a quad stroller last year for $380 I think and that's been my biggest investment so far. Once you get clients and income coming in you can buy more stuff as you need.

[Unregistered]

My plan for equipment is to definitely search yard sales and Craigslist for most of the things that don't need to be brand new. I figured the amount everyone spent would vary but I was just wondering what others have spent so far and what the most costly purchases were. Thank you ladies for your help!

[itlw8]

I have a family childcare I got started for $8 I needed a pipe to go from the emergency release valve down to the floor on the water heater... now I could not even guess how much I have spent over the last 30 years... You need to go into this running it as a business but you do not need everything on your wish list to start.

[Learning Daycare]

$8!! Must be nice!

[TwinKristi]

My plan for equipment is to definitely search yard sales and Craigslist for most of the things that don't need to be brand new. I figured the amount everyone spent would vary but I was just wondering what others have spent so far and what the most costly purchases were. Thank you ladies for your help!

There are groups on Facebook that are local moms selling their baby stuff. I've gotten a couple clients from there and bought/sold stuff as well. It's great! Otherwise I would invest in the Amazon Prime membership and get free 2 day shipping! That's another $100/yr! LOL

[Sugar Magnolia]

$70,000. This included real estate purchase (down payment).

[Chellieleanne]

I spent nothing. I am also operating as legally unlicensed and pretty much have everything as my own kids are young. When I do make the move to be licensed I know there will be a lot more expenses with licensing fees, insurance, and of course adhering to the regulations on safety standards which can add up.

[Learning Daycare]

I'm so disappointed because I have a 5 yo and a 1 yo and don't have a lot of their things from being younger. We had to downsize and got rid of everything! I just saw money going down the drain.