How much do you need to open a daycare center?

What do you need to do to open a daycare center?

• I know it depends on the country (I'm from Canada) and the region, but if anyone out there has opened a daycare center I'd like to hear some info. It's mostly my wife's idea, but she is fearful that you need to have some childhood education degree to open such a center. I don't think so. It's a business, so if you are the owner, you just have to hire daycare teachers who are certified and you administer the place. Any ideas?

• Answer:

  You're right; you would need to check your local licensing agency as requirements vary greatly from place to place. The biggest question would be whether your wife will just own the center or if she will handle the day-to-day management of it as well. If she is going to be a hands-off owner, she will probably only need to pass a background clearance, but if she's going to manage it, she will probably need some sort of early education classes and experience.