Nurses are known for working odd hours- 8hrs, 12hrs, 16hrs, days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Those with kids sometimes have a difficult time finding childcare that correlates with their schedule. Opening an after-hours daycare in the right area could be a lucrative business.

I see this daycare having overnight hours for parents who work the graveyard shift. The daycare would be open on weekends too since that is a hard time to find a babysitter as well. Your target parents are those who do not work traditional 9-5 jobs and work weekends. This is a very specific niche market and this means money.

You could charge for full-time care, part-time care, and offer drop-in rates for someone needing a babysitter at the last minute. Because your daycare is open odd hours, you could easily charge more than average rates. I am sure parents would gladly pay if they had no one else to watch the kids.

There are many start-up costs involved in opening a daycare. As a daycare owner, you have to have a building for the daycare; this can be a home or a commercial location. Each state has specific rules on how a daycare is set up, regulated, and licensed.

Things to consider when opening a daycare center include; attending classes required by the state to obtain licensing, background checks, hiring employees, specific equipment for the daycare (high chairs, cots, cribs, fire extinguishers, etc.), and getting liability insurance.

Starting a daycare is tedious and costly, but well worth it if you have a passion for children and want to start a business.

Additional Resources:http://www.nursesfordaycare.com (This business offers childcare consulting for those looking to get started in childcare…oh, and they’re nursing owned!)

Potential Start-up costs: $10,000+

Additional degree required: No

Sole venture or partnership: Partnership

Mobile, Online, or Brick & Mortar: Brick & Mortar

Potential products to upsell: T-shirts and other items with your company logo, host an event (art night, pajama party for the local community), courses to promote child safety.

Like this idea? Want more? Check out more entrepreneurial ventures in my book: 50 Business Ideas for the Entrepreneurial Nurse!