Afrexai Childcare Center

# Childcare Center Operations

Run a profitable daycare or childcare center. Covers licensing, staffing ratios, tuition pricing, facility requirements, parent retention, and growth — built from real operator data.

## Revenue & Tuition Pricing (2026)

| Age Group | Weekly Tuition (Metro) | Weekly Tuition (Suburban) | Teacher:Child Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (6wk-12mo) | $350-$500 | $225-$375 | 1:3 to 1:4 |
| Toddler (12-24mo) | $300-$425 | $200-$325 | 1:4 to 1:5 |
| Two-year-olds | $275-$375 | $175-$300 | 1:5 to 1:6 |
| Preschool (3-4yr) | $250-$350 | $150-$275 | 1:8 to 1:10 |
| Pre-K (4-5yr) | $225-$325 | $140-$250 | 1:10 to 1:12 |
| School-age (before/after) | $125-$200 | $100-$175 | 1:12 to 1:15 |

**Annual revenue per child (infant)**: $13,000-$26,000
**Annual revenue per child (preschool)**: $7,800-$18,200
**Average center revenue**: $500,000-$2,000,000 (60-150 enrolled children)

## Staffing & Labor

| Role | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Center Director | $45,000-$75,000 | Required by most states |
| Lead Teacher | $30,000-$45,000 | CDA or degree required |
| Assistant Teacher | $25,000-$35,000 | High school diploma + training |
| Floater/Sub | $24,000-$32,000 | Covers breaks and absences |
| Cook | $28,000-$38,000 | If serving meals on-site |
| Admin/Front Desk | $30,000-$40,000 | Billing, enrollment, parent comms |

**Labor as % of revenue**: 55-65% (largest expense by far)
**Turnover rate**: 26-40% industry average — retention is survival
**Retention tactics**: Tuition discounts for staff children, PTO, health benefits, CDA sponsorship

## Licensing & Compliance

**State licensing (all states require):**
- Background checks (FBI fingerprint + state) for all staff
- Staff:child ratios (varies by state and age group)
- Square footage: 35-50 sq ft per child indoors, 75+ sq ft outdoors
- Health & safety inspections (annual or biannual)
- Fire marshal approval
- Zoning approval for childcare use

**Federal:**
- USDA Child and Adult Care Food Pr...

# Childcare Center Operations

Everything you need to run a profitable daycare — tuition pricing by age group, staffing ratios, licensing requirements, CACFP reimbursement, parent retention, and growth from single center to regional brand.

**$60B+ US childcare market. 500K+ providers.**

## More from AfrexAI

- [AI Context Packs](https://afrexai-cto.github.io/context-packs/) — $47 each
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