Buying a Child Care Center: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Before purchasing a child-care center, request and review the following: - Licensing, inspection and accreditation records; capacity and recent enrollment trends; and any outstanding liabilities or regulatory violations. - Financial documents: profit & loss statements, balance sheets and tax returns. - Staffing information: staff rosters, credentials and certifications (e.g., CPR, early‑childhood certificates), background-check records, turnover statistics, and payroll and benefits obligations. - Facility and property details: current condition, lease terms or proof of ownership, safety/compliance documentation and inventories of equipment and supplies. - Operational items: current tuition rates, parent contracts and deposit/refund policies, waitlist size, curriculum and daily schedules, and primary marketing/referral sources. - The seller’s reason for selling. Also engage a CPA, an attorney and an early‑childhood consultant to conduct thorough due diligence and help plan the transition. #referral #schedules #balance #background #records