Go From Nanny to Nanny Agency Owner
Welcome to the Summer of Change!
You’ve played it out in your head a million times, tossed and turned, and talked your best friend’s ear off about it. The decision has finally been made, and you’re excited and terrified in equal parts.
But it’s settled, and you’re doing it even if you’re doing it scared. So, congratulations! Welcome to small business ownership!
Entrepreneurship suits you, and rest assured, few people regret the transition from nanny to nanny agency owner. In fact, many only regret not doing it sooner.
Okay, so you’re opening up a nanny agency. Now what?
First, take the time to commemorate that you’re about to embark on a rewarding adventure that combines your passion for childcare with entrepreneurship.
The demand for quality childcare is at an all-time high, which makes your nanny agency a promising endeavor. However, with so much to do, where do you start?
Small business startup checklist.
While summer is often seen as a time to relax, this summer we’re celebrating CHANGE! And there aren’t many transitions as monumental as starting your own business.
Although this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, here are some categories to help you compartmentalize what you need to do before opening the doors of your new agency.
Also, considering the summertime setting, we’re changing up how we’re delivering the information. This week, we’re doing it checklist style to provide the satisfaction offered by ticking boxes and knocking out tasks.
Create a business plan.
Where will it be located? (Check zoning laws)
Complete a competitive analysis
How will you secure financing? Explore funding options (loans, grants, investors)
Create a budget for startup costs and ongoing expenses
Decide on your legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership)
What services will you offer? (full-time and part-time childcare, household management, private educators, senior care, etc.)
Registration and permits.
Register your name and obtain a business license
Register for taxes and other deductions (EIN, sales tax, etc.)
Ensure you’re compliant with all health and safety standards
Obtain or update all your certifications (like first aid and CPR)
Obtain any other necessary local permits or licenses
Money matters.
Open up a business bank account
Open a business credit card
Implement bookkeeping software
Implement systems (billing, payroll, etc.)
Determine how you’ll pay yourself (and do it!)
Develop contracts and other legal documents (it might be worth splurging for a lawyer to advise you on these essentials)
Get professional insurance specific to the childcare industry (property, general, liability, and workers' compensation)
Company culture and logistics.
What’s your vision?
What are your core values?
What will your niche be that makes you stand out against your competition?
Develop your brand identity
Create referral and loyalty plans
Implement a user-friendly online platform for client registration and scheduling to simplify the booking process
Surround yourself with the right people.
Install an easy-to-use internal communication system
Identify reliable suppliers for your products or services and don’t be afraid to negotiate terms with vendors
Develop job descriptions and talent acquisition strategies
Implement an official recruitment process that includes interviews, background checks, and skill assessments
Hire and train staff
Sales and marketing.
Register your domain and publish a website. (Squarespace, Wordpress, and GoDaddy are just a few popular providers that offer services such as hosting and website-building.)
Register and link your social media accounts
Establish your email and an internal file-sharing system
Develop a marketing plan that promotes both your online and in-person presence
Establish your email marketing software and digital strategy
Start attending community engagement and networking events, especially target-rich opportunities in close proximity
Final pieces of advice.
Keep it simple in the beginning! Whether it’s through added services or expanded territory, you can always scale later after you’ve gained more perspective and experience.
That being said, don’t become stagnant. Listen to your clients and meet their shifting needs. Nanny agencies that embrace innovation tend to outlast and out-perform their competition, especially in the long run.
Also, gather as much support as you can and learn from others who have been there before you. Whether that’s a trusted coach or an online community of nanny agency owners—yes, we happen to know a good one—this will help ensure that you never have to go through this alone.
Lastly, be patient. Establishing a sustainable business takes time. Build flexibility into your goals, celebrate small wins, have a short memory for losses, and accept that success is fluid.
Need more help getting your business off the ground? We have additional resources like our Building Your Business Checklist available. And we also have Aspire, which is your agency’s all-in-one start-up guide! You’ll breathe a sigh of relief once you see all the resources and assistance Aspire can offer, and you won’t believe how much you’ll get for just $297.
“I started my agency with no experience in this space… Y’all… I thought Megan would be helpful, but she is an absolute gold mine in this industry! Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about her. Not only is she amazing at what she does, but she is an amazing person to know in general… I really don’t know where I would be without her!” - Paige Burlew
