USING YOUR PRAISE BUILDING FOR CHILDCARE

The leaders of many PraiseBuildings find it necessary to install childcare rooms to accommodate the needs of growing families. Childcare rooms can be as complex as having a sound-proofed room with a large vision panel overlooking the worship center, complete with piped in sound direct from the audio-video room, a private restroom, multi-colored carpeting, and plenty of games and videos for the young occupants.

Many other childcare rooms are really nothing more than painted concrete block walls with commercial grade vinyl tile floors and a few children’s books and toys. Remember, it really isn’t how elaborate the childcare room is that makes it a good space for the children, but how the childcare providers use the space given to them.Under most circumstances, it makes sense to utilize the PraiseBuilding as a daycare center to handle the needs of working parents in your area.

After all, the PraiseBuilding may already have a childcare center that is only used once or twice a week. There are plenty of working people who pay between $50 – $300 per week for childcare. How much could it cost to hire a couple of childcare providers and maybe an administrator?

However, before counting the income from this “great idea,” it is prudent to discuss this idea with other worship centers in the area to learn from their mistakes. It is certainly worth a phone call to the local licensing department to learn of the requirements for day care centers. One of the most important (and unfortunately most expensive) expenses of most daycare centers is the amount of liability insurance they are required to carry.

Still, many congregations have found that a daycare center is a great way to become a part of the community, which in turn, can attract additional members to the congregation.

By Stephen Ferrandi, Director, KLNB Regious Properties

Stephen Ferrandi is the Director of KLNB Religious Properties, a real estate firm serving religioius clients in Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He is one of the top experts in land development in the region. Mr. Ferrandi frequently contributes real estate related articles to both print and online publications.