Developing a learning center from scratch presents a dream scenario, enabling one to incorporate all their past experiences into a shiny new flagship location. But as a real estate project, it presents a unique set of challenges. Regardless of whether you’re working with a seasoned group like STNL Development or you’re tackling your first project on your own, there are a number of best practices that’ll help any project run more smoothly. We’ve presented nine of them below.

Speaking with early childhood providers across the country, we hear a common theme: it’s challenging to get the right materials for the classroom quickly so they can focus on high-quality care and education. They’re passionate about unleashing the individual potential of every child and believe that streamlining back-office functions enables them to focus more time and energy on their education mission, providing a better experience for children.

As schools and childcare centers across the country embark upon the new school year, it is important for owners and administrators to take a fresh look at safety and security. In the midst of a busy school year, some of these checklist items can be put on the back-burner. Schools can use the summer months to refocus and consider: What should owners and administrators review each year to make sure their facilities are safe and secure?

We are all in a heartfelt business. I am very passionate about “Growing Better Humans Every Day,” but the key to that statement is the last word; business. We are running a business. For most of us, myself included, we came up the ranks from teaching before running our center with little to no business experience. Not only that, but we find ourselves getting pulled back into the school operations and put the business/finances on the back burner. We must remember that the business is what allows us to make the difference in these tiny humans’ lives and without it running well we cannot provide the quality care for which we strive.