I want to open my own preschool, but i want to be the main teacher. is this possible with all the paperwork?

Question

i realize there is alot of paperwork involved. can i open a center to accept 22 children and still be the teacher or do i need to open a smaller center, such as a group daycare home for 12 kids? any opinions??

Answer 1

If you are very motivated and really want to do it, I'm sure you can!  If your business really takes off and grows bigger, you may eventually want to be out of the classroom to manage the business, but I would think it would be a good way for you to start...you will truly know the business from the ground up, and you will be better equipped to manage employees in the future since you really will know how to run a classroom.

Answer 2

I know that when we looked into opening a center (in Michigan) there was the ruling regarding directors and teachers.  That if the center was licensed for over a certain amount of children than there would have to be a full time director not one with dual roles.  I can't find it right at this moment.  However, I know that if you are planning on licensing for only 22...it would not be an issue.  So yes, it is possible.

As others have said, it takes more "work" on your behalf because you'll have your director responsibilities as well as lead teacher responsibilities.  But on the other hand, if you are planning on opening a center, you understand that at first you are going to be spending quite a bit of time with the center...and really it's more cost-worthy to have dual roles...especially in a small center.  

May I say one thing about this...not to discourage you at all but so you can think about how you are going to handle it.  :-)  We have a center in town that the owner/director is also the lead preschool teacher.  It's all fine and dandy...but when I was looking for care and possibly employment, I walked into that center and stood there for five minutes before anyone noticed I was there and I was within touching distance of the children.  So I could have very well grabbed one and been out of there in no time.  So consider how you set up...what procedures; what physical boundaries; etc you are going to have in place if a visitor/parent shows up and you are in the middle of your day busy with the children.  Good luck!

Answer 3

My sister does this. It takes a lot of extra time for her paper work but since she enjoys teaching and seeing the children grow in all areas, she feels any extra time is worth it.

Answer 4

I agree with Amber on the boundaries thing - when I was looking for a preschool for my son, I walked into a few that were run by the lead teacher and walked right back out.  I found that things appeared disorganized and inefficient, and I too could have walked right off with a child and no one would have noticed.

I would suggest that if you choose to open the larger center, you at least hire someone to "run the desk" as it were and handle administrative things during the day - perhaps they can double as an assistant for short periods of time when needed.  This will allow you to still be the director but have more control over things during the day.  It will also put parents more at ease when it comes to trusting you with their child.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

Answer 5

I've known many people that started this way.  It's a lot of work, but it can be done.

Just adding to the confirmations you already have!

Matt

Answer 6

you could jsut go into business with a partner who would take care of that or hire someone to do it for you so you can focus on teaching