One of the best opportunities for individuals who love taking care of children, spending the day reading, finger painting, and playing games to stimulate their minds is to open a child care centre. Australia has an estimated 4.7 million children, of which 1.26 million are toddlers and over 13,370 approved child care centres provide services to this population.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, child care has one of the fastest employment growth rates in the country as working parents these days always need someone trustworthy to take care of their children. This makes the present time an excellent period for individuals with a passion and skill for child care and education to open a business with the aid of child care brokers.
This guide provides an overview of things one must consider while structuring a child care centre in the neighbourhood.
Research About the Licensing Process
The first step to opening a private child care centre in Australia is to contact the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority to understand the laws and regulations that exist regarding care and education services. These can include legislation, the National Quality Framework, types of educational services available to open a child care centre, the application process to open a new centre and the contact details.
Educators are also required to have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care to qualify to open and work in a child care centre. Moreover, child care brokers can provide information about the property, space, fire safety, health and environment requirements necessary to get approval. Additionally, if there are Homeowners Associations, neighbourhood associations and similar local bodies they require permission from, it is beneficial to research them before setting them in motion.
Identify Existing Childcare Services and the Need of the Neighbourhood
After reviewing the official procedures and regulations necessary for opening a child care centre, individuals must consider the local factors that determine its feasibility. They can begin by looking at the existing services in the area, which would potentially be their colleagues and competition, their set-up, services, activities, enrolments, challenges, location, working hours, wages, pricing structure and more. This information would help them decide on the logistical aspects of their child care centre.
An essential question to ask is if there are any gaps between the services and the community that need addressing. Developing a centre focusing on those needs can help one stand out in the neighbourhood and ensure business success. Additionally, networking with other child care centres can help them develop unique educational programs focused on the children’s development.
Determine the Philosophy and Vision of the Child Care Centre
The name of the child care centre one opens becomes a brand that carries its vision across the community and through the children. Therefore, one must choose a name that resonates with the service they provide and their educational philosophy.
Child care enthusiasts can learn about the numerous philosophies available on childhood education, namely, Montessori, Steiner, Pikler, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf and pick the one that resonates with their vision the most. They can have a free play-based philosophy or a structured educational philosophy, which influences the role of the teachers and the children in their learning, their meals, activities, indoor-outdoor play, naps and lessons.
Determine Funding Agencies
Starting a child care centre might seem financially daunting, as one has to consider personally financing or taking a bank loan for investing in a child care property, personnel, workplace equipment, educational and office supplies, advertising, food, licensing and insurance. Thankfully, the Australian government provides Child Care Centre Assistance programs that provide grants, subsidies, and other capital support to provide affordable, inclusive and holistic child care services to remove barriers in child care education.
Author name- Grace
