Do You Have to Have a Degree to Open a Daycare Center?

Are you thinking about opening a daycare center? It is a smart idea, especially if you like being around children. However, many people assume that you can just open up a business and start contacting parents to send you their kids when they need daycare.

There is an entire process involved in starting a daycare business. Moreover, a big part of the process is getting the appropriate licenses. Since the daycare business is state regulated, you must check the licensing requirements on your state before proceeding.

Another important part of daycare rules involves the education of those who are running the business. Many states in America require that daycare directors have a bachelor’s degree in child development, social work, education or a related field. There are a few states where the minimum requirement is a GED or high school diploma.

Opening a Daycare Without a Degree

Many states will allow you to open a daycare center if you do not have a college degree. However, in most of these states, you will need to hire a daycare director who has those qualifications. It means your hands-on role within the business is a little limited, but you are still able to open your business.

Those who are considering opening a daycare should also get their basic certifications completed. Having first aid and CPR certifications is very important. Some states may have other credential requirements. Ensure you are aware of all these requirements before you start putting money into opening your business.

Degrees are Preferable

Even if your state does not require a college degree to open a daycare, many parents will prefer to send their kids someplace the workers are highly trained. Ensure all your employees have the right credentials, training, and degrees. Not only will it impress parents, but the quality of the daycare your center can offer is much higher when your workers are properly educated and trained.