If potential day-care owners were to make wish lists that covered the characteristics of the perfect location for their businesses, there would be many items on the list. Before deciding on the location for your daycare business, make sure that you can legally use the property. Evaluate the space for accessibility, safety and health concerns. Of course, affordability counts; it hardly matters if a place seems ideal but the cost puts is beyond reach, so it’s important to have a budget in place before choosing a day-care site. Here are few things you should consider before deciding a location for your day-care business.
Demographics:
Before settling on a location for a daycare, it is wise to familiarise oneself with a community and understand the needs of residents and employees of nearby businesses. Learning about the demographics of an area can save a lot of grief. It will help you to know the best location to place your daycare centre where they are most needed and to assure a good supply of clients. Neighbourhoods with growing families and places with good visibility along well-travelled roads often offer the best and most convenient access for parents.
Physical space:
Your daycare location must have adequate outdoor and indoor space. Before choosing a building or location, you must check the following characteristics in a location:
-Suitable outdoor play space suitable for the ages of children you’ll care for.
-Sufficient space for each child’s personal belongings.
-Enough space for each child to move freely.
-Viewing windows into each room occupied by children
-Proper arrangement of the physical layout so that caregivers can view all areas at all times.
-Adequate air flow and comfortable room temperature.
-Places for children to play, eat and rest.
-Room for storage of cleaning supplies, staff belongings and additional items.
Another important thing that you will need to consider is natural light. Ask about skylights if you’re sandwiched between buildings
Fire Prevention and Safety
This is one of the most critical areas for you to consider. In order to keep the children safe, you will also need to take certain health and safety measures. You need to make sure that potential sites are safe. Level outdoor surfaces, spacious playroom, fenced gardens for play, sufficient kitchen and bathroom spaces, and ample parking for parents are all considerations. For prevention, there must be a fire suppression system throughout the facility; there must be two exits out of each child activity room. One exit must lead directly to the outside and Cribs should be able to fit through all exit doors. Contact your local fire station to learn about local fire safety rules.
Health:
Look at both indoor and outdoor areas when you consider health issues. Avoid areas with high air pollution. Make sure the buildings contain no asbestos, lead or other toxic materials. You can take help from experts who can take samples of paint and other materials for testing. Also, avoid areas near gas stations where there are underground or above ground gas/oil storage tanks.
