Making the Leap: Tips from Angela Garcia on Expanding Your In-Home Child Care Business
Making the move from running an in-home child care business to opening a certified child care center is a significant and exciting step. It comes with new challenges but also offers plenty of rewards. We interviewed Angela Garcia, founder of Escuela Viva, on how to open a certified child care center. Garcia started as a home-based child care provider before expanding into a center that now has two locations in Portland. In the years since, she has mentored and partnered with many other providers in opening their own child care businesses. In this interview, Garcia offers insight into six crucial areas to consider when making this significant shift, as well as practical solutions to streamline the transition process.
1. Regulatory Differences
One of the first steps for anyone considering making the shift from in-home to center is to understand the differences in regulations between the two. As Garcia says, “The rules are similar, but different. So, study those rules.” While providers can often find the rule book for Certified Child Care Centers daunting, Garcia emphasizes its value, encouraging them to take their time, read the book as much as possible, and use tabs to mark key sections for quick reference.
Additionally, seeking guidance from experienced providers or legal professionals can offer clarity and invaluable insights into navigating regulations. BuildUp Oregon offers a variety of resources to help understand the childcare business world, but you can also seek guidance from The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care’s Child Care Resource and Referrals program (CCR&R) for specific inquiries.
2. Training and Education Requirements
Securing a license to run a certified child care center requires a higher level of training and education. Garcia points to Mt. Hood Community College and CCR&R as great resources for getting that training. She also recommends providers not to be discouraged if they don’t meet the training and education requirements necessary for a center-based provider at the time they want to open a center.
“Don’t give up,” she says. “Make a plan for how you’ll meet those education requirements, if you don’t quite meet them today. But I’d also highly recommend talking to your certifier. See what they would recommend.”
While talking to a certifier, providers might learn that they qualify for an exception, as Oregon’s Department of Early Learning and Care takes a more nuanced approach to licensing. Garcia notes, “Depending on how many years of experience you have, that can often supersede a two- or four-year degree requirement.”
3. Choosing the Right Facility
While some in-home providers may be operating out of their home, a center must be run from a commercial space that meets standards for space, safety, and accessibility. As a result, finding an appropriate facility can be a challenge in and of itself. Once a provider has found a space, they still need to take into account the extra expense such a facility represents. "You have to consider not just the rent but also higher utility bills for a bigger building. There are property taxes to think about, along with other expenses." Garcia points out that these costs can add up quickly, and it's crucial to budget with these factors in mind.
4. Financial Planning and Management
Transitioning to a center requires precise financial planning to manage higher operational costs and explore funding opportunities. Garcia points to programs like Preschool for All (PFA) as significant sources of financial support. With PFA, "enrollment is usually covered, so you can count on steady tuition. They also offer startup money, coaching, and other resources to help providers make the transition. None of this existed when I started out 20 years ago," Garcia explains.
She cautions, however, that even with these programs, the process isn't always streamlined. "There's a lot of work that goes into making what I call a systemless system come to fruition," she says. "The county is working hard to create a stronger system for providers, but it's still a challenge."
5. Establishing Operational Systems
Operational efficiency becomes more important as a child care business becomes a center. Garcia highlights the need for structured systems like parent and employee handbooks, operational policies, and emergency procedures. These systems provide clear guidance for staff and help parents feel more secure about their child's care.
With larger operations, the workload can feel overwhelming. "You can feel paralyzed with the list of to-dos," Garcia explains. She suggests making it more manageable by taking it in "bite-size chunks." Providers can create a smoother-running operation by breaking tasks into smaller, doable steps. This method can make it easier to manage complex tasks and maintain a safe environment for children and staff.
6. Hiring and Retaining Staff
As operations grow, so does the need for a qualified workforce. Due to the demanding nature of ECE work, turnover among staff can be high. Therefore, when transitioning to a larger child care center, providers should focus on staff development, including training, fair compensation, and creating a supportive environment to minimize turnover and maintain quality care.
One key suggestion Garcia has for retaining staff is to offer teachers a shorter work week, one that allows them time away from the classroom to plan and prep. “Think about a K-12 classroom. None of those teachers are with students all day long.” Garcia adds, “We want a professional level of service, but we’re not giving [providers] the time, the energy and resources to actually provide that level of professionalism.” Even modest investments can help retain staff and improve morale.
Next Steps
Although there are many steps and potential challenges to transitioning from an in-home facility to a certified center, there are also many rewards. With the right support and mentorship, child care providers have the opportunity to grow and profit from this kind of expansion—and make a stronger impact in their communities.
BuildUp Oregon is here to support providers who are looking to make this leap. For example, our facility advisors can provide everything from application assistance to templates for operating expenses budgets and cashflow projections. To learn more about the multitude of ways we can help, visit our Solutions page and get started today.
Related resources from our library:
- Watch the "BuildUp Oregon: Child Care Provider Information Session" webinar
- Explore Craft3's "Definitive Guide to Getting Loan Ready"