Getting Started

Starting a successful Child Care Center begins with a clear mission and a well-developed business plan that guides key decisions related to financial investments, facility selection, licensing, staffing, and long-term sustainability. Early planning is essential, as center-based programs are subject to more complex regulatory requirements, staffing models, and facility standards than preschool-only or home-based programs. Thoughtful preparation helps ensure compliance, supports quality implementation, and positions programs for successful enrollment and growth.

This section is designed to support multiple Child Care Center business pathways, including:

• FCC providers transitioning to a Child Care Center (moving from a home-based license to a center license, securing a commercial site, hiring staff, and building center-wide systems)
• Entrepreneurs opening a new Child Care Center (from concept through licensing, build-out, staffing, and enrollment launch)
• Existing Child Care Centers expanding services (adding classrooms, increasing capacity, or opening additional sites)

Things To Do:

• Create a mission-aligned business plan
• Analyze costs, enrollment mix, and long-term revenue projections
• Select a facility aligned to zoning, fire clearance, playground requirements
• Assess feasibility for infant/toddler licensing early in the process if being considered
• Conduct or review existing community needs assessments to confirm demand in your area
• Include clear policies/procedures and handbooks for families, staff and volunteers

Quick Tip:
Before committing to a property, request a Zoning Verification Letter to confirm allowable use for child care

Local Supports & Partnerships

Strong partnerships help centers operate more efficiently, secure funding, and strengthen instructional quality. Orange County offers no-cost business support to help child care center owners launch and grow with confidence. Opening or expanding into a child care center requires careful coordination of licensing, facilities, staffing, finances, and long-term operational systems. Orange County offers several no-cost and low-cost technical assistance programs that support center-based child care businesses at different stages of development.

Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC) provides direct, center-appropriate technical assistance for child care businesses at all stages, including new centers and expanding programs.

Center-focused support includes:

• Business plan development aligned to Child Care Center licensing requirements
• Start-up and expansion cost modeling (facility build-out, staffing, operating reserves)
• Cash flow projections and sustainability planning
• Support identifying capital funding opportunities (Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, grants, lenders)
• Guidance with business entity formation, permits, and compliance
• One-on-one consulting throughout licensing, construction, and expansion phases

OCIE SBDC is a key partner for:

• Providers transitioning from FCC to center-based operations
• Entrepreneurs opening their first center
• Existing centers planning growth or additional sites

Orange County Women’s Business Center (OC WBC) supports women-owned child care centers by strengthening leadership capacity, operational systems, and long-term sustainability.  Supports relevant to child care centers include:

• Leadership development and business mindset coaching
• Human resources systems and staff management practices
• Financial literacy, budgeting, and tax documentation
• Marketing, enrollment strategies, and brand development
• Connections to small business certifications and community resources

OC WBC also co-facilitates Child Care Business Cohorts that support providers who are:

• Transitioning from FCC to centers
• Opening new center-based programs
• Expanding capacity and/or services offered

Use this quick-reference table to identify who to contact and what support to expect at each stage of development.

Resource Partner	Primary Role for Centers	Best Time to Engage	Key Supports for Centers
OCIE Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC)	Business planning & financing	Pre-application through expansion	Business plans, cash flow & cost modeling, capital access, entity formation, lease/expansion feasibility
OC Women’s Business Center (OC WBC)	Leadership & operations coaching	Start-up, transition, and growth	Leadership development, HR systems, budgeting & tax basics, marketing & enrollment strategies
Community Care Licensing (CCLD)	Licensing & compliance	Before application; ongoing	Orientation, center license application, inspections, compliance guidance
Local City Planning & Building Dept.	Zoning, permits, inspections	Site selection & build-out	Zoning verification, CUPs (if required), building & occupancy permits
Fire Authority	Life safety approval	Pre-licensure & remodels	Fire clearance, exit plans, capacity approvals
Children’s Home Society (R&R)	Referrals & subsidies	Pre-opening & operations	Provider listings/referrals, subsidy payment programs, admin tools, select trainings
Quality Start OC	Quality improvement	Post-licensure	Coaching, PD, quality assessments, improvement planning
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)	Facilities & financing	Planning, build-out, expansion	Child care facility loans, predevelopment support, facilities TA, capital for new or expanding centers

This table highlights key requirements for three common center-based pathways

Focus Area	Transitioning FCC → Center	Opening a New Center	Expanding an Existing Center
Licensing	Apply for new Center license; meet director/staff qualifications	Full center licensing process	License amendment or new site approval
Facility & Zoning	Move from residential to commercial site	Secure zoned commercial facility	Renovate, add classrooms, or open new site
Staffing	Hire qualified director and teaching staff	Build full staff team pre-opening	Recruit and onboard additional staff
Financial Planning	Scale budget significantly	Plan high start-up costs	Secure capital for expansion
Business Structure	Shift from sole proprietor to formal entity	Establish entity at start	Adjust structure for multi-site operations
Operations	Develop center-wide systems	Create policies, handbooks, systems	Strengthen systems for scale
Marketing & Enrollment	Rebrand as center-based	Launch brand and enrollment	Expand outreach for increased capacity