Owning a preschool can be challenging, but it’s definitely achievable — especially for those passionate about early childhood education.
From setting up your vision to choosing the right curriculum and creating a nurturing environment, opening a preschool involves more than just love for children. You might have the resources in place, but the real question is: where do you actually begin?
In this blog, we explore 20 actionable steps you can take to confidently navigate your preschool journey from idea to inauguration. Take a look:
1. Research the Market
Understand local demand, educational trends, parent expectations, and competition. This foundational research will help shape all major decisions.
2. Define Your Vision and Philosophy
Clarify your educational approach and values. These will influence your curriculum, space design, teaching style, and parent communication.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to start a preschool? What kind of learning space do I dream of creating? Your core philosophy will guide every decision ahead.
3. Create a Business Plan
Map out financial projections, revenue model, staffing, facilities, marketing, and launch timeline. A strong plan attracts partners and reduces risks.
Turn your vision into a plan. This includes your goals, budget, timelines, team structure, and how you’ll bring your preschool to life, step by step.
4. Choose a Location
Understand local demand, educational trends, parent expectations, and competition. This foundational research will help shape all major decisions.
5. Study the Competition and Target Demographics
Understand what other preschools in your area offer and identify gaps or unique opportunities to position yourself. Understanding your future parents and children will help you shape your preschool’s identity.
6. Design the Curriculum
Build or select a curriculum aligned to your philosophy that encourages holistic development through age-appropriate, engaging experiences. A great curriculum is not just about books, it’s about curiosity, play, connection, and discovery.
7. Choose a Preschool Name
The name should reflect your values and be memorable, unique, and registration-friendly for branding and legal purposes. A good name helps build trust and recognition.
8. Legal Registration and Compliance
Register the preschool under relevant local laws, handle tax registrations, and obtain necessary licenses and permits.
9. Arrange Initial Funding and Budgeting
Estimate startup costs including rent, salaries, interiors, materials, and contingency. Plan how you will cover the first 6–12 months.
10. Hire Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff
Recruit qualified educators and support staff who align with your vision and are trained or trainable in early years education. The right people will shape your culture.
11. Build and Set Up Infrastructure
Design safe, vibrant, and child-centric classrooms, play areas, admin zones, and common spaces with all necessary facilities.
12. Teaching and Learning Materials
Ensure quality learning tools, toys, books, sensory kits, and child-sized furniture are available to support your curriculum. Safety and variety are key.
13. Set Operating Hours and Calendar
Define working hours, holidays, and term dates. Consider parents’ routines and children’s attention spans when finalising schedules. Families appreciate structure, and routines help children feel secure.
14. Set Up Fee Structure and Collection System
Decide on your pricing model and create transparent billing policies.I t needs to be sustainable for you and fair for parents. Choose a reliable method to track and collect fees.
15. Develop Parent Communication Practices
Establish clear, regular ways to update parents via meetings, digital apps, or bulletins. Strong communication builds trust.
16. Integrate Technology and Automation Tool
Use software or apps for attendance, fee tracking, parent communication, admissions, and progress reports to reduce manual errors and improve efficiency. Use technology to enhance, not overwhelm.
17. Create a Marketing Plan and Outreach Strategy
Promote your preschool through local ads, social media, referrals, and school visits. Focus on your unique value to attract interest.
18. Carry Out a Soft Launch or Trial Run
Organise demo classes or preview sessions to test your setup, gather feedback, and build early buzz. It helps build confidence and gives you a chance to refine anything before your full opening.
19. Finalise Policies and Safety Protocols
Establish rules around admissions, health, hygiene, child protection, and emergencies. Train staff and inform parents.
20. Launch and Monitor Daily Operations
Open officially, observe the first few weeks closely, resolve issues quickly, and fine-tune processes for smoother functioning.
Presenting Hubble Explorers, a complete step-by-step solution to start your Preschool
The early years of a child’s life lays the foundation for lifelong success, with 85% of brain development occurring by age six. A well-structured Preschool programme focusses on these early years, fostering hands-on learning, language development and social-emotional skills, ensuring a solid foundation for academic and personal growth.
At Hubble Explorers, we have thoughtfully developed and designed such a comprehensive preschool solution that will empower aspiring preschool owners to confidently navigate these 20 steps.