Retaining Needed Supports
Retaining Needed Supports
While expansion is not a linear process, the first or nearly first step will be to contact the businesses and individuals who will be necessary members of your expansion team. We recommend having preliminary conversations with as many of these professionals as is feasible as inputs into your planning, including understanding cost estimates and the capacity of professionals to assist you. This list is going to include architects, contractors, staff at regulatory offices, and anyone else who may be able to inform you of your process. Construction companies, as well as local regulatory offices, may be willing and able to help but are often working with longer than desirable wait times due to a high volume of inquiries.
SECTION SIX
A licensed architect will have to generate a to-scale site plan that will be sent to Metro Nashville and TN State regulatory representatives for review and approval of the Usage and Occupancy permit, even if it is an existing building. Your architect will also often be the go-between for the child care provider, the construction company, and regulatory offices such as codes and fire. If at all possible, find an architect with experience building child care facilities locally. Metro Nashville Government and the state of Tennessee have specific requirements for child care centers, and architects who have done this work previously will be more acutely aware of these needs as well as potential barriers that may arise.
Hire an architect
Contractors are responsible for pulling permits via the ePermit system through Metro Nashville, and work directly with the architect. They are responsible for completing renovation or construction work, and share responsibility with the architect to facilitate and drive communication with regulatory folks. Contractors are in high demand in Nashville, so it is important to find trusted contractors who are able to work within the timeline the expansion project is projected for. It is especially important that those contractors have experience with TDHS regulations for child care centers, so it is helpful to find someone who has worked on child care centers previously.
Hire a contractor
Attorneys are necessary for three potential needs: liability consulting, 501(c)(3) establishment, and negotiations between property owners and the child care site (if the building is not owned by the site operating within it). A key tip is to allocate time for your attorney to review documents, which can be a 1 to 3 month turnaround period.
Hire an attorney
Given that child care center Directors are often already at capacity, it is incredibly helpful to consult with a project manager. While this is not a necessity, it can help avoid undue stress and streamline the project. This may be creating capacity at your organization for someone to serve as the project manager or working with someone outside of your organization. This person can oversee renovations, as well as help with allocating the other needed supports.
Secure a Project Manager
Due to recent concerns surrounding security of child care centers and schools, it is important to budget for a security company to do a security audit of the site, as well as offer recommendations for safety measures.
Hire a security company
Advertising and promoting your new center is an important way of acquiring customers as well as qualified staff. Your online presence is a reflection of your business and operations, including your website, Google business listing, and social media accounts. Consider hiring a communications and marketing consultant to support your marketing and messaging efforts.
Hire marketing support
Other supports
Sprinkler system company
Plumbing company
Heating & Air company
Insurance agent/firm
Customer database service/platform
Staffing and recruitment