How to start a daycare center in Cameroon

Starting your own daycare center or crèche can be a great way to make some extra money, and it usually offers flexible hours and a chance to build a network of new contacts.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of starting a daycare center in Cameroon.

How to start a daycare service business in Cameroon

Starting a daycare service business could be quite challenging in the beginning, but if effectively handled and managed, it can become a very profitable business.

The business involves taking care of children. This is mostly done when the parent(s) of the child is not around or available.

A Daycare Center or Crèche is often compared to or is considered the same as a Nanny Service business. However, it is not really the same, although both deal with taking care of children.

A daycare center is a place where children are cared for by qualified professionals, usually in a group setting.

This is especially for parents who work outside the home and may ask for their child’s placement in a daycare center, as opposed to staying home with them.

What exactly is a Crèche/ Daycare Center

A crèche or daycare center is a service or business that provides the care of a minimum of four children, aged newborn to 5 years old. The children are generally cared for by the owner or other daycare givers, usually for a fee.

The crèche or daycare center owner will provide a home base, supervision, and child care for a period of time ranging from weekday mornings to several hours after school and weekend mornings.

A crèche or daycare center can provide a much-needed income, and may also be run as a part-time business.

Why the Demand for Daycare Centers or Crèche?

The need for a daycare center and crèche services is predominantly caused by a combination of factors. One of the primary factors is the changing nature of family life.

The traditional family in Africa is a very different structure than it is in the west. Many African families have one working parent and one or more children.

In the past, it was common for mothers to be the sole caretakers of their children. They were the primary source of child care and education.

Today, we have more educated mothers and fathers, both working, hence, they need the help of someone to provide more comprehensive care for their children.

Guide to Start a Crèche or Daycare Center

1. Research other centers around your area.

– What are they offering?

– What are their hours?

– What are their prices?

You must find out the answers to these questions before you start.

2. What is your passion?

– Are you good with children?

– How can you help them grow?

If you are a natural with children, chances are you can find a niche in the daycare industry.

3. Decide what type of daycare center you want to establish.

Know The Requirements Of The Law

The first requirement for an individual to start a daycare center is to acquire a license. Though you don’t need to be a registered practitioner to open your daycare center in Cameroon, however, you need to be registered with the Delegation of Social Affairs.

You may be surprised to learn that you need to comply with certain laws if you run a daycare center. These include:

– Licenses – The state and local council will often require a license to operate a daycare, and they will also need you to have certain insurance coverage.

– Insurance – If you are operating a commercial daycare, you will need liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage (social insurance).

– Rules – You will likely also need to follow state rules and regulations when working with children.

- Obtain a permit - The state agency that supervises crèche businesses may require a permit to operate in your area. This permit is necessary if your daycare is open to the public. 

Obtaining a permit can be time-consuming and costly. You may have to hire a lawyer or pay a fee to a professional in your area to obtain your permit. It’s a good idea to ask about the requirements.

– Get regulations – Cameroon has specific regulations regarding crèches and daycare centers. These rules are necessary to protect the children and parents of the neighborhood.

The rules may include limits on the number of children that can be admitted to daycare, the type of toys that can be used in the play area, and the number of employees on staff.

In some cases, you may be required to hire a professional to handle the children.

Decide on a location

You have to decide on a home or commercial daycare, you’ll need to find a space. You can open your own home daycare without a commercial space, and if you have the space, it’s a good option.

If you’re planning to run a neighborhood daycare from your home, be in the same neighborhood as the clients you’ll be serving.

If you’re planning to open a commercial space, consider finding a suitable location that’s visible from the street, has parking, is within easy walking distance of your home and other potential clients, and has space for your daycare and other office or storage needs.

Read about the pros and cons of different types of daycare locations to help you choose the option that best fits your needs.

Right Type of Staff

If you are looking out for competent staff, you must make sure they are well-trained and fully qualified.

Make sure the staff you are hiring has a good attitude towards working with children and is experienced in handling them.

Consult with a child psychologist before you start your business.

Personal training for staff

You must ensure that your staff is qualified, trained, and well-equipped to deal with children of various ages.

Some of the essential staff required to include a teacher, a nurse, a nurse’s assistant, a crèche coordinator, a receptionist, a janitor, and a cook.

Requirements for quality staff

All staff should be registered and sign a contract to avoid legal issues. Do not be afraid to ask for references for any staff member you are considering hiring. You need to ensure the staff is well-trained and qualified to work with children.

Get Necessary Facilities

A daycare center must have the necessary facilities including a kitchen, classrooms, crèche rooms, a bathroom, and a secure entrance.

Although you don’t need a lot of space, you must ensure that it is clean and safe for the children.

There are a few things you will need to get the venture off the ground before you start a daycare Center business.

You will need to purchase some basic facilities like chairs, tables, books, and toys to get the business started. You can also get a book that will teach you the ways to run a business like a daycare Center.

Maintain a qualified attitude

In case you are operating a daycare center, you must make sure that your attitude towards working with children is always positive.

It is a good practice to make sure that your staff is always well-behaved, respectful and has a good attitude to working with children. You have to also ensure they are always clean and well-groomed.

Lay out the basic operating procedures

You must lay out the basic operating procedures for the children, the parents, and the staff of the daycare. This includes the following:

• Ratio of kids to staff.

• The way the children will be encouraged to play and relate to each other.

• How the kids will be disciplined and taught to behave.

• The way the children will be taught to look after themselves.

A Growing Appreciation of Preschool Education

Children need to be in a place with other children their own age to develop their social skills and improve their communication skills.

There is a growing appreciation of the need for standard preschool education in Cameroon. This is because of the general lack of quality education in the country.

Read Also: Requirements to Start a Primary School in Cameroon

Points to take note

1. A spacious place to care for the children

You will need a place where you can accommodate kids, and you must ensure that the kids are in the best possible environment.

Do not choose a place that is too far from your home, or else you will have to carry all the kids to your home.

2. Affordability

The fee must be affordable, and it must be within your means, it is not a business that you can run for the sake of running a business.

3. The parents pay for the food, drinks, and snacks consumed by the children during the time they are with the crèche or daycare center.

Was this post helpful? Do you need help starting a daycare center in Cameroon? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us using the contact details below.