Times have changed since our grandparents were parents. Gone are the days when one parent stays home and raises the kids. In 2021, 62% of American families had two parents working full-time. And while many people either were or are still working from home due to the COVID pandemic, for most, this still requires a need for child care. Today, more preschool franchise opportunities are available. Most are not just focused on general daycare and education but are also offering more specialized services. Does owning a preschool franchise interest you? And if so, how do you know if it's the right career path for you?

What is a Preschool Franchise?

Let’s start with what a preschool franchise is. It is different from home-based child care, where child care is provided in the comforts of one’s home. A preschool franchise, such as Neighborhood Kids offers child care using the name of a more prominent, well-known brand. It is owned and operated by an individual franchisee but branded and overseen by a larger company known as the franchisor. You, as the franchisee, will typically pay initial and royalty fees to use the company’s branding, trademark, business model, and marketing. 

Benefits of Owning a Child Care Franchise

What makes preschool franchise opportunities so special? Most importantly, you get to work with kids. If you like children, there is no more rewarding job than helping them develop, learn, and discover the joys of life. But there are many other reasons why this could be your path. A few others include:

Be Your Own Boss

Owning a franchise helps you achieve your entrepreneurial dreams with the help and guidance of a team of professionals with the experience and knowledge needed to succeed.

Well-Known Name and Reputation

Utilizing an already-established franchise means half of your marketing is done for you. While word of mouth is still the oldest and most valuable source of promotion, having a name that is already established and well-known, will go a long way when first starting out. 

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Apart from having an already established reputation and brand, contracting with a franchisor means you don’t have to go it alone. At Neighborhood kids, we offer guidance and support every step of the way. This includes training, marketing, recruiting staff, advertising, and more. 

Guaranteed Customer Base

With over 70 million children in the United States today, you will always be guaranteed to have a customer base. People will continue to have babies, and babies will continue to grow into preschoolers who need childhood education, supervision, guidance, and support. 

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Help to Educate Children

You get the opportunity to help mold the minds of tomorrow’s leaders. Unlike daycare which focuses primarily on providing care for children, preschool focuses on teaching kids while preparing them for kindergarten. At Neighborhood Kids, we follow the renowned model WEE Learn (Weekday Early Education), a division of the Child Development Education Alliance (CDEA) model. 

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Pursue Your Own Passions

Is there something specific you enjoy doing, such as swimming, painting, playing piano, reading, or doing math? Owning your own preschool franchise awards you the opportunity to teach young people your own passion and interests setting the way for future generations' minds to expand. 

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What to Consider Before Starting A Preschool Franchise

Does all of this sound appealing to you? Great! You may well be on your way to starting a childcare franchise. But first, there are a few items you will want to consider before setting your plan in motion. Don’t worry. We break them all down for you below. 

Know the Educational Requirements in Your State

First, do you have the educational requirements needed? Educational requirements often depend on whether you work for a private or publicly funded preschool. Typically at least a high school diploma is required, although many states require some postsecondary education. Furthermore, many states also require directors to hold certifications from the Child Development Association (CDA) or the National Administration Credential (NAC), so it's important you research the requirements needed before taking the following steps. 

State Laws and Regulations

Secondly, it's a good idea to check on your specific state laws and regulations. You can find out what these are by visiting your state's Department of Health and Human Services. In most states, you will need to apply for a license and submit to a criminal and child abuse background check first. 

Does Your State Require a License

Next, take steps to obtain the license. While this process varies from state to state, you can visit the Child Care Technical Assistance Network to determine the process in your home state.  

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How Much Does it Cost To Start a Child Care Franchise?

When it comes to determining how much it will cost to start a childcare franchise, many things have to be considered, including location, competition, marketing expenses, and more. Costs can often vary, but according to industry standards, costs typically range between $300,000 and $7 million. 

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At Neighborhood kids, we keep costs down by building relationships with churches and utilizing their already available spaces. Start-up investments range between approximately $2 million and $777,000, depending on whether it's a permanent or preexisting school space. Other fees include:

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• Initial Franchise Fee - $70,000
• Ongoing Royalty Fees - 7%
• Brand Development Fund - 1%

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Get Started and Contact Neighborhood Kids for More Information

Neighborhood Kids is a faith-based national preschool franchise organization. We offer full-day preschool for ages three months to pre-kindergarten. We offer training, advice, and support to our franchises throughout the process, including two weeks of initial in-person training, financial marketing, and advertising support. Find out if this is the right path for you. 

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Visit our website for more information, or call us at 1-888-316-KIDS today. 

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