15 Things To Do While Waiting For Preschool Licensing

Getting licensed as a preschool can be daunting, but there are a lot of things you can do while you wait for your licensing to be approved.

Getting Your Preschool License Can Feel Like The Big Bad Wolf

Just the thought of dealing with a task like state licensing can feel overwhelming. Forms to fill out, fees to pay, inspections to pass—it’s a lot of work. And then there may be the nagging thought of what if I don’t get my license? What then?

It Might Take Some Patience To Work With Daycare Licensing Officials

Many state licensing officials are used to working with daycare providers, licensing for a preschool may be new territory to them. It may take some time for them to understand exactly what you are planning to do and exactly how to work with you to get the licensing you need. Be patient, it can be done. Licensing requirements vary from state. Be sure to check out this detailed resource on how to navigate the licensing requirements.

What To Do While You Wait For Your Licensing To Be Approved

So. you’ve successfully completed the process to get your preschool licensed in your state, but you still have to wait for the state to approve your license. It may seem like it is taking

F   O   R   E   V   E   R!

It really isn’t, but waiting can be nerve wracking. Here is a list of what to do while you wait:

• Research your competition
• Get a firm plan for your tuition prices
• Design a cute logo
• Settle on a business name
• Register the domain name for your business
• Apply for an EIN
• Set up a business bank account
• Set up your website
• Design a marketing flyer
• Research liability insurance policies and prices
• Plan or purchase your curriculum
• Purchase supplies and furniture for your classroom
• Set up and decorate your classroom
• Create the policies and procedures manual for your preschool
• Design your registration form

This is not an exhaustive list, but it will certainly keep you busy. Something else you may want to spend a little time on is developing a Plan B just in case your licensing isn’t approved for some reason. Some options to consider are starting an online preschool class or continuing with your local preschool plans but only teaching the number of children you can teach without a license.

Three Things You Should NOT Do Until Your Licensing Is Approved

1. Hold off on printing your flyers until your licensing is approved. If there is a delay or a change you need to make on your flyers you will want to do that before you invest money in 1,000 flyers.
2. You do not want to market your preschool at all until you get your license.
3. Don’t sign up any students. Just in case there are delays it is better to wait so that you won’t have to notify parents and tell them your preschool won’t be starting when you said it would.

As soon as you are licensed as a preschool, though, print those flyers, do all your marketing, and start registering those kiddos!