Guide to Expanding Child Care Seats in Davidson County
There are many steps to opening or expanding a child care center. This Guide is designed to cover all aspects of this sometimes non-linear process, starting with things to consider and research before you apply for a license, such as understanding the financial viability of your center and getting to know the support services you will need source.
To ensure alignment with state-level processes, this Guide gives special notation to the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) licensure process steps, as outlined in their documents.
We encourage you to download this Guide. The downloadable version is designed to serve as a working checklist document for you as you make progress in your journey to opening or expanding your business.
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Overview of the Process
Get to know the sections included in this guide and which sections apply to you, based on whether you are opening a new center or expanding your existing footprint.
Get to know the sections included in this guide and which sections apply to you, based on whether you are opening a new center or expanding your existing footprint.
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Forecasting Revenue and Operating Costs
This section offers a helpful list to get your started in understanding the financial viability of your child care business goals.
This section offers a helpful list to get your started in understanding the financial viability of your child care business goals.
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Forecasting Expansion Costs
Understand what one-time costs you can expect to encounter during your expansion.
Understand what one-time costs you can expect to encounter during your expansion.
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Child Care Zoning Categories
There are currently three zoning options for child care centers in Davidson County: Commercial Daycare, Group Home, and In Home. Get to know the requirements for each category.
There are currently three zoning options for child care centers in Davidson County: Commercial Daycare, Group Home, and In Home. Get to know the requirements for each category.
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Overview of Supports
You will need to have a team of professionals to support you as you build and expand your space. Get a look at the list and the roles they play.
You will need to have a team of professionals to support you as you build and expand your space. Get a look at the list and the roles they play.
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Identifying a Location
Identifying a location early on in the process is extremely important. This section will help you understand what you need to consider and research when identifying your future location.
Identifying a location early on in the process is extremely important. This section will help you understand what you need to consider and research when identifying your future location.
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First Steps
You’re ready to begin the process with TDHS and contact a Program Specialist. This section gets you started and includes both TDHS-notated steps plus other insight from local business owners.
You’re ready to begin the process with TDHS and contact a Program Specialist. This section gets you started and includes both TDHS-notated steps plus other insight from local business owners.
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Introduction
Navigating codes and zoning will be unique based on your individual plans and facility. This section gives an introduction to your resources.
Navigating codes and zoning will be unique based on your individual plans and facility. This section gives an introduction to your resources.
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Pre-submittal Steps
Once you have confirmation from TDHS to start the process, request a pre-submittal meeting with the Metro Nashville Zoning Codes office. This section will help you navigate so you’re prepared at this step.
Once you have confirmation from TDHS to start the process, request a pre-submittal meeting with the Metro Nashville Zoning Codes office. This section will help you navigate so you’re prepared at this step.
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Plans Submission & Review
Once you have completed the pre-submittal process and applied all the information from TN State and Metro Nashville representatives, you can continue your forward progress. Here’s what you can expect when working through the process with architects, contractors, and other key supports.
Once you have completed the pre-submittal process and applied all the information from TN State and Metro Nashville representatives, you can continue your forward progress. Here’s what you can expect when working through the process with architects, contractors, and other key supports.
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Fire Inspection
When your renovations or build is complete, you will be inspected by the TN State and Metro Nashville Fire Marshal in separate appointments. This section notates TDHS steps for approval.
When your renovations or build is complete, you will be inspected by the TN State and Metro Nashville Fire Marshal in separate appointments. This section notates TDHS steps for approval.
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Use and Occupancy Permit
Usage and Occupancy permitting comes in the form of a letter that is granted through the Codes department.
Usage and Occupancy permitting comes in the form of a letter that is granted through the Codes department.
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Environmental Codes
Your TDHS Program Specialist will coordinate with you and the TN State Department of Health to inspect issues related to the environment. See a sample inspection list, along with TDHS-notated steps.
Your TDHS Program Specialist will coordinate with you and the TN State Department of Health to inspect issues related to the environment. See a sample inspection list, along with TDHS-notated steps.
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Choose Safe Places
The Tennessee Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (TNCSP) program works to ensure children are kept safe and healthy while they are in child care. Get to know how you can receive your designation with these TDHS-notated steps.
The Tennessee Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (TNCSP) program works to ensure children are kept safe and healthy while they are in child care. Get to know how you can receive your designation with these TDHS-notated steps.
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Final Walkthroughs
Be ready for your final walkthroughs with your TDHS Program Specialist, with the goal of receiving your Provisional License. This section outlines what you should know.
Be ready for your final walkthroughs with your TDHS Program Specialist, with the goal of receiving your Provisional License. This section outlines what you should know.
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Licensing and Final Preparation
Learn about Establishment Grants, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and staff training requirements necessary for you to be ready for opening day.
Learn about Establishment Grants, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and staff training requirements necessary for you to be ready for opening day.
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Resources
This special section gives you a list of resources you can use as your go forward in your journey to opening to expanding your child care center.
This special section gives you a list of resources you can use as your go forward in your journey to opening to expanding your child care center.
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Get to know all the entities involved in the development of this content.
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