Learn how to start a preschool program with these tips for choosing a location. Explore a variety of options to decide on the best environment to start your early learning program.
Privacy and Disclosure for information on cookies and affiliates
You’re here because you are interested in learning how to start a preschool facility. I’m excited to share information to help you on your journey to early childhood educator. This article provides tips for choosing a location for your preschool.
Related: Early Childhood Teacher Certification
The environment in which you operate your preschool is an important part of the program you will deliver, whether as a facility owner or as a manager. It’s where all the nurturing, play, and learning take place.
- The special circumstance of an at-home, privately owned, business is often pursued by budding entrepreneurs. My experience as an operator of a preschool facility has provided me with information and tips that I will share in this discussion. Self-employment is not for everyone, but it’s worth consideration as you explore the possibilities for opening your preschool facility.
Whether a part-day or full-day program, preschool start-ups need a home, and these tips will help you find the best fit for your program.
Find your best location to open a preschool
Child care centers can be found in various buildings, including a church hall, a private home, and a public school. All these setups operate with the same goal – to provide quality child development experiences for early learners.
Choosing a suitable facility will depend on licensing requirements in your area, as well as your program goals and business model. There are also differences in startups as privately owned or as a non-profit facilities.
The following discussion will help you research a possible location for your preschool startup.
1. Neighborhood
The neighborhood where you will operate your business can be an important part of your research into finding a suitable location, and will depend jointly on your preferred area(s) and the availability of a facility.
You’ll also bring your preferences and expectations to the decision making process.
- You might want to be near an elementary school, shopping district, or business area.
- You might want to be inside a residential area with young families.
- You might prefer a rural area that offers a natural environment.
When you have a location in mind, consider the following.
What is the competition in the area you’re considering?
Is it a convenient location for parents and staff?
You’ll want to examine both the outdoor and indoor spaces of the building you are considering, to assess the ability of the structure and surrounding area to accommodate your program goals and the needs of the children in your care.
2. Structure
Options for a building for a child care center include the following.
- Rent or buy a stand-alone or semi-detached structure.
- Rent space in a community building such as a recreation center or town hall.
- Operate in conjunction with a public or private school in designated classrooms or other spaces.
- Make use of space in your home.
Explore the area as you ask important questions.
Is there an outdoor play area? Does if have approved play equipment, or room to install apparatus if necessary? (Part-day programs may not require play equipment on site).
Is there adequate parking? Are entrances accessible for all abilities?
With any building, there will be local regulations such as zoning by-laws, and licensing and parking restrictions to investigate, as you pursue a possible location. You’ll also want to inquire whether services such as snow removal and garbage collection are met by the municipality or must be negotiated by the owner.
Insurance costs, and coverage limitations, are important considerations, whether your choose a space in your home, or another option.
Rent or Buy
If you are exploring structures with an option to buy or rent, consider the age of the building and its condition. You can get professional advice on costs of repairs and upgrades that might be needed, such as siding, windows, and roofing.
A large scale building may allow for greater enrollment and staffing, as well as access to government funding in the case of a non-profit facility.
Take into account traveling to and from the location, as well as extra time required away from home to clean and set up centers; hold parent-teacher meetings; conduct an open house; interview new clients and staff.
Shared Space
A community building that is fully operational may have space for a classroom. It may come with operating costs such as taxes and maintenance already in place.
This arrangement will require discussion regarding sharing of the expenses, including upgrades or alterations that may be needed to meet licensing requirements.
Home-Based
If you are considering a space in your own home as a facility owner, you will have to determine whether renovations will be required for licensing purposes. These upgrades could include fencing for the outdoor play area, or adding a second exit to the space you intend you use for the preschool.
- A second entrance was required when I opened a facility in the lower level of my home. This was a renovation I chose to do in order to start my preschool, and it proved beneficial to the overall function of the home as well as the preschool classroom.
The benefits of an at-home preschool facility include: no travel time; the ability to clean, do paper work, and prepare play materials at your convenience; being available at lunch and after school for family if you offer part-day programs, morning or afternoon.
A home based preschool may entail smaller class sizes and more flexibility for the owner. But it also can result in smaller staff support and responsibility for administration.
3. Indoor Environment
Here are a few issues to take into consideration when investigating the interior of a facility.
Are there adequate bathroom and kitchen facilities?
Is there proper ventilation and working windows?
Is there sufficient lighting in place? Is there an option for soft light for naps if they are part of your daily schedule?
You’ll also want to consider the ability of the facility to meet your program requirements. You will need enough space to outfit the room(s) with suitable furnishings and finishes, and deliver the various scheduled events you hope to provide.
- Activities such as gross motor and small group play require large amounts of open floor space
- Licensing regulations can dictate the amount of square-footage-per-child and staff-to-child ratio.
Consider the ability of the interior space to accommodate the layout of furnishings and play materials.
Is the space open concept, or divided up by walls and hallways?
Can a single room be separated into areas for different activities such as playing, eating, and circle time?
Do windows and doorways interfere with wall space where you might want to place shelves or other furnishings?
Play Areas
Separated play areas, or centers, are a common setup in early learning classrooms. Each play area has related materials, with shared learning goals, to support creativity, cognitive skills, fine motor skills, independent thinking and working.
Furniture placement helps to define the individual play areas (sometimes called corners, or stations). Low cube shelving, kid-sized tables and chairs, or props such as a puppet theater or play kitchen, can be situated to serve as dividers to separate individual spaces.
Centers can include:
- art area with easel, smocks, and paints
- block corner with containers for blocks and related toys such as construction vehicles
- dramatic play area with a play kitchen, dolls, and dress-up clothes
- reading corner with comfy seating (chairs, mats, or pillows) and accessible books
- sand table; light table; water table
Some furniture or props may be portable, and moved about the space from time to time, while others require fixed positioning in the room (i.e. wall-mounted book shelves; outlets for a light table).
Floor coverings can also be used to signify different learning spaces: a carpeted area for circle time; a washable floor for the art center and water play. Area rugs or individual mats can also be added to define play spaces. For example, small mats can be placed in a semi-circle to accommodate students at circle time.
- My at-home classroom was an open space designed to accommodate all daily activities including free play (independent play). Centers were separated around the perimeter of the room by low, stand-alone shelving units. Kid-size tables and chairs were positioned in the middle of the room to be used alternately for crafts, snacks, and small group activities. A corner of the room with individual mats was a comfortable circle time area.
Separate Areas for Students and Staff
STUDENTS…
…..need space to play, to eat, to wash hands, and to interact with others in a safe and inviting environment.
…..need appropriately sized chairs and tables, accessible shelving for play materials, and labeled cubbies and/or coat hooks for independent care of belongings and outerwear.
STAFF MEMBERS…
…..need a place to store personal belongings.
…..need shelves or cupboards that are out of students’ reach but accessible when items are required (i.e. first aid kit, props for circle time, mobile phone).
Storage/Office Space
Consider space to store craft supplies as well as extra toys and materials that may be rotated in the play area throughout the school term.
You might also want a private office space if possible, or at least a secure place for a file cabinet or cupboard to hold confidential records.
- I had a separate room next to the classroom space where I stored supplies. I kept a small locked file cabinet next to a desk with a computer for easy access to records during visits from licensing personnel or consults with parents.
Choose the best location for your preschool
Opening an early learning center is a rewarding career opportunity that involves many variables, beginning with the building that houses your business. Choosing the location is a major part of the startup process.
With careful consideration, and a bit of leg work, you’ll find the optimum space for your group of preschoolers to play, learn and grow!
