An after-School Program is an organization that plans youth programming outside of the typical school day. The school building, community centers, libraries, or parks are just a few locations where after-school activities may take place. Sports, study groups, performing arts, and the creative arts are all examples of after school activities.
Since many business owners in this sector are nonprofit institutions, they are not subject to federal income taxes. Available statistics show that the after-school program providers market is expected to generate $24.3 billion in sales in 2023.
But there is a huge need for afterschool programs in Florida, where roughly 1.5 million kids would sign up for one if it is accessible.
Steps on How to an After School Program in Florida
Table of Contents
Conduct Market Research
You must be sure to undertake in-depth market research if you plan to open an after school program. With a successful market analysis, you will be able to delve into uncharted territory and discover fresh opportunities in the field in which you wish to launch your enterprise.
Please take note that creating market-based research questions that is consistent with your after-school program is the first step in the market research process.
a. The Target Market for After School Program
The target market for an after school program are parents with children who are under 18 years.
b. Is After School Program Business a Profitable Business in Florida?
Yes, after school program is a profitable business in Florida because Florida boasts of having the second-highest enrollment of students in the United States.
c. Are There Existing Niches You Can Focus On?
- Providing standalone academic programs
- Providing standalone child care
- 21st Century Community Learning Center programs
- Providing other after-school programs
- Providing gymnastics instruction
- Providing dance instruction
- Providing swimming instruction
- Providing additional children’s fitness activities instruction
- Providing homework assistance, opportunities for creative expression, physical activities, educational assistance, food and concessions, music, and art.
d. Who are the Major Competitors?
- Sunshine After School Child Care Inc
- CapoKids The Martial Arts School Preschool, After-School & Summer Camp
- Bricks 4 Kidz of West Central Florida
- All Sports Kids Before and After-School Care
- Extreme Youth Sports After School Program and Summer Camp in Northdale FL
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, George Jenkins Memorial Unit
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, North Ridge Unit
- Clearwaters Best Afterschool Program and Summer Camp
- Minds In Motion
- Countryside Best After School Program and Summer Camp
- Tim McCahan After School Sports Family Life Center
- Warrior Combat and Fitness Academy
- A Child’s Haven Preschool & Afterschool Program
- City of Greenacres – Youth Programs
- Naples After School Academy
- Miss T Martial Arts After School Program
- After School Programs | YMCA of South Florida
- Fun 4 Orlando Kids
- New Port Richey, Florida.
- Martin County Parks and Recreation.
e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for After School Programs in Florida?
Yes, there are state regulations for after school programs in Florida. Operators of after school programs must abide by zoning laws, some of which are exclusive to after school programs. These regulations are made to deal with the special conditions that arise from a business operating in a residential area.
Other laws govern how properties are changed, including restrictions on the installation of business signs, playground equipment, and fences. Please be aware that many localities have zoning regulations that demand that after school programs apply for a city permit.
This application enables the city’s zoning department to evaluate whether the after school program complies with the community’s zoning regulations. Additionally, permits guarantee that all after school programs have valid licenses from local or state authorities.
f. Is There a Franchise for After School Program?
Yes, there are franchise opportunities for after school programs, and here are some of them;
- Bricks 4 Kidz
- Abrakadoodle
- Romp n’ Roll
- Code Ninjas
- School of Rock
- Nutty Scientists
- Drama Kids International
- Challenge Island
- Mad Science Group
- STEM for Kids.
g. What Do You Need to Start an after School Program in Florida?
- Conduct your market survey and feasibility studies
- Learn everything you need to learn about owning and operating an after school program
- Choose a name and register the business
- Draft a detailed Business Plan
- Secure the needed licenses and permits
- Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number)/Federal Tax ID Number.
- Open a corporate bank account
- Lease, equip, and furnish your facility
- Hire employees
- Market and promote your daycare.
Choose a Memorable Business Name
When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable.
Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a afterschool program are;
Creative Afterschool Program Name ideas
- Brightness® After School Child Care, Inc.
- Sport Gangs® After School Program, Inc.
- Gifted Kids© After School Program, Inc.
- Agile Kids® After School Program, Inc.
- Techie Corner™ After School Program, Inc.
- Hero Now™ After School Program, LLC.
- Born Genius© After School Program, LLC
- John Creflo® After School Program, Inc.
- Miami Stars© After School Program, Inc.
- Build Nest© After School Program, Inc.
- Prince Alfred® After School Program, Inc.
- Mind Grow® After School Program, Inc.
- Joseph School® After School Program, Inc.
- Little Genius® After School Program, Inc.
- The Imminent® After School Program, Inc.
- Tallahassee Kids© After School Program, Inc.
- Free Minds™ After School Program, LLC
- Orlando City® After School Program, Inc.
- Sunshine Edu® After School Program, Inc.
- Rainbow™ After School Program, Inc.
Register your Business
a. What Type of Business Structure is Best for After School Programs in Florida?
The business structure that the majority of after school program providers consider is an LLC, despite the fact that there are other possibilities. Entrepreneurs will first and foremost think about forming an LLC in order to defend themselves in court.
Please be aware that an LLC will require an EIN if it is required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below or if it has any employees. The majority of newly formed single-member LLCs must obtain an EIN.
b. Steps to Form an LLC in the United States of America
- Choose a name for your LLC.
- File Articles of Organization.
- Choose a registered agent.
- Decide on member vs. manager management.
- Create an LLC operating agreement.
- Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
- File annual reports.
c. What Type of License is Needed to Open an After School Program in Florida?
Here are some of the licenses you would need if you want to start an after school program:
- Diploma or GED
- Family Child Care Home License
- General Business License
- Group Family Child Care License
- Health and Safety Permit
- Zonal Permits
- Director’s License
- State Facility Inspections
d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Open an After School Program in Florida?
You don’t need any special certification to start an after-school program.
e. What Documents are Needed to Open an After School Program in Florida?
- DBA
- EIN
- Business and liability insurance
- Federal Tax Payer’s ID
- State Permit and Building Approval
- Federal Export Licenses
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business License
- Business Plan
- Employment Agreement (offer letters)
- Operating Agreement for LLCs
- Insurance Policy
- Online Terms of Use
- Online Privacy Policy Document
- Contract Document
- Company Bylaws
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?
You may not need to register a trademark or intellectual property if you are thinking about starting an after school program in Florida. This is because the nature of the business allows you to successfully manage the business without having any reason to sue anyone for using your intellectual property.
Cost Analysis and Budgeting
a. How Much Does It Cost to Start an After School Program in Florida?
You would need an estimate of $150,000 (it could be more and it could be less) to successfully set up your after school program in Florida. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.
b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting an After School Program in Florida?
- Business Registration Fees – $750.
- Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $3,300.
- Marketing, Branding, and Promotions – $5,000.
- Business Consultant Fee – $2,500.
- Insurance – $5,400.
- Rent/Lease – $70,000.
- Other start-up expenses include commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery ($500), and phone and utility deposits ($2,800).
- Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
- start-up inventory – $15,000
- Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $4,750
- Furnishing and Equipping – $80,000
- Website: $600
- Opening party: $3,000
- Miscellaneous: $2,000
c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening an After School Program?
- The type of After school program
- The Choice of Location
- The Required Licenses and Permits
- The Type of Facility
- The Number of Students They Want to Admit
- The Cost for Branding, Promotion, and Marketing of the After School Program
- The Cost of Furnishing and Equipping the After School Program
- The Cost of Insurance Policy Covers
- The Cost of Registering the Business
- Source of Your Supplies and Ongoing Expenses
- Cost of Recruiting and Training Your Staff
- The Cost for the Purchase and Customizing of Uniforms
- The Cost for the Grand Opening of the After School Program
d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will it Cost?
As regards the facility, you have the option of renting, leasing, or constructing your own facility from the scratch. With renting and leasing a facility, you may have to spend extra to modify the facility to fit into what you have in mind, but there is a limit to how far you can go and it will be dependent on what the landlord of the facility wants.
If you want to construct your facility from the scratch, you will buy the land or property, bring up your design, then construct and equip the facility to fit into the ideal picture of a standard after school program. On average, it will cost you over five hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($550,000) to construct an after school facility.
e. The Ongoing Expenses for Running an After School Program?
- Rent and lease
- Cost of stocking up supplies such as first aid medications, toiletries, disinfectants, sanitizer, hand gloves and games wares et al
- Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage and software renewal fees et al)
- Salaries of employees
f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?
- President – $55,000 Per Annum
- Administrator – $36,034 Per Annum
- Account Officer – $35,000 Per Annum
- Instructors (Educators) – $33,300 Per Annum
- Front Desk Officer – $28,000 Per Annum
- Cleaners – $22,000 Per Annum
- Security Guard – $22,000 Per Annum
g. How Do You Get Funding to Start an After School Program
Here are some of the options you can explore when sourcing for start-up capital for your after school program;
- Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
- Raising money from investors and business partners
- Sell shares to interested investors
- Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
- Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from the government, donor organizations, and angel investors
- Source soft loans from your family and friends.
Write a Business Plan
a. Write a brief executive summary
Miami Star® After School Program Provider, Inc. is a licensed after school program provider that will be located in a growing community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Our primary goal in starting the company is to ensure that children and families in Fort Lauderdale and nearby towns participate in after-school activities that will keep them out of trouble and, of course, allow them to have the most fun possible.
We also want to open a facility that is ideal for family recreation and bonding. We are dedicated to encouraging kids’ creativity, play, and imagination.
b. Products and Service
- Providing standalone academic programs
- Providing standalone child care
- 21st Century Community Learning Center programs
- Providing other after-school programs
- Providing gymnastics instruction
- Providing dance instruction
- Providing swimming instruction
- Providing additional children’s fitness activities instruction
- Providing homework assistance, opportunities for creative expression, physical activities, educational assistance, food and concessions, music, and art.
c. Mission and Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Our mission for establishing Miami Star® After School Program Provider, Inc. is to mobilize the community in support of full enrollment of school-age children in after-school programs (creative and recreational activities). We want to do our part to ensure that Fort Lauderdale, Florida develops some of the most intelligent and law-abiding school-age children in the United States of America.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to establish a top-notch after-school program and to do our part to motivate Fort Lauderdale, Florida, families, and kids to actively participate in creative and recreational activities.
d. Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives of an after school program is to engage children in after school activities that include sports, homework assistance, opportunities for creative expression, physical activities, educational assistance, food and concessions, music and art, workforce development, and family activities.
e. Organizational Structure
- President
- Administrator
- Account Officer
- Instructors (Educators)
- Front Desk Officer
- Cleaners and Nannies
- Security Guards
Marketing Plan
a. SWOT Analysis
Strength:
- Ideal Location for after school programs
- Highly Experienced and Qualified Employees and Management
- Availability of all kinds of after school activities.
Weakness:
- Financial constraints may restrict the business from building new facilities
- A new business that will be competing with well-established after school programs and franchises in the city and on the internet.
- Inability to retain our highly experienced and qualified employees longer than we want during the teething stage of the business.
Opportunities:
- A rise in the number of people of school age
- Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the starting of new markets.
Threat:
- The arrival of new after school program providers within our market space
- Low demand during the pandemic will reduce industry profitability
- Economic uncertainty
- Liability problems
- The government could change its regulatory status and decide to enforce strict regulations that can strangulate new businesses like ours.
b. Sources of Income
Below are the sources you can explore to generate income for an after school program;
- Providing standalone academic programs
- Providing standalone child care
- 21st Century Community Learning Center programs
- Providing other after-school programs
- Providing gymnastics instruction
- Providing dance instruction
- Providing swimming instruction
- Providing additional children’s fitness activities instruction
- Government grants
c. Payment Options
Here are the payment options you can use for your after school program;
- Payment via bank transfer
- Payment with cash
- Payment via credit cards
- Payment via online bank transfer
- Payment via check
- Payment via mobile money transfer
d. Sales & Advertising Strategies
Here are some of the platforms you can utilize to market your business;
- Introduce your after school program by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to households, schools, and key stakeholders in and around the location where your after school program is located
- Open your after school program with a party so as to capture the attention of residents who are your first targets
- Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities, and train stations et al.
- Make use of attractive handbills to create awareness and also to give direction to your after school program
- Advertise your services in community-based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
- List your business and products on yellow pages ads (local directories)
- Leverage the internet to promote your after school program
- Engage in direct marketing and sales
- Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing (referrals)
- Leverage the internet to promote your after school program (when you blog regularly on key issues as it relates to your business, people who consider you an expert in the field)
- Engage the services of marketing executives and business developers to carry out direct marketing for you
Financial Projection
a. How Much Should You Charge for your product/Service?
We will charge based on industry standards in the United States of America with typical fees of $100-$500 or more per month in Florida.
b. How Much Profit Do After School Program Owners Make a Year?
Owners of after school programs make an average of $45,000 profit per year.
c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?
Here are some of the factors that determine the amount of profit an after school program can make;
- The capacity of the after school program
- The location the after school program is covering
- The management style of the after school program
- The business approach of the after school program
- The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the after school program
- The number of years the after school program is in business
d. What is the Profit Margin of an After School Program?
The profit margin of an after school program is not fixed. It will depend on some factors that are unique to your location and the number of children you have enrolled in your facility.
e. What is the Sales Forecast?
- First Fiscal Year: $240,000
- Second Fiscal Year: $350,000
- Third Fiscal Year: $480,000
Set Up your Shop/Office
a. How Do You Choose a Perfect Location for After School Program in Florida
- The demography of the location especially as it relates to students under 18 years old
- The demand for after school services in the location
- The purchasing power of the residents of the location
- Accessibility of the location
- The number of after school program providers in the location
- The local laws and regulations in the community/state
- Traffic, parking and security et al
b. What City is Best to Open an After School Program Business in Florida?
- Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
- Vero Beach, Florida
- Pembroke Pines, Florida
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Pompano Beach, Florida
- Tallahassee, Florida
- Delray Beach, Florida
- Riverview, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Lake Worth, Florida.
c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate an After School Program?
When starting an after school program, you will need educational materials, first aid kits, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, an emergency preparedness kit, and an emergency plan, among other things. But in setting up a small office, you will need a computer, printer, software apps, telephones, pager, photocopier, scanner, and fax machine.
Hire Employees
As regards the number of employees that you are expected to kick start the business with, you would need to consider your finance before making the decision. Averagely, you would need the services of the following professionals; the president, administrator, instructors (educator), front desk officer, security guards, and cleaners.
Launch the Business Proper
Presently, no after school program provider opens its doors for enrollment without first planning an opening party to formally open for business. If you have limited budget, you may want to hold a soft opening party rather than a large opening party.
The fact is that a successful after school program launch will enable you to publicly notify residents of your city that the facility is open for business.
a. What Makes an After School Program Successful?
The benchmark for the success of an after school program may vary but, on the average, you will know that your after school program is successful when;
- You have the required number of children under 18-year-old
- You are generating profits from the business
- Your students are improving on all the indices of rating (can comprehend better, carry out tasks on their own, are social, and can compete favorably with others)
- Parents and guardians are happy and satisfied with your services
- Your employees are happy and satisfied with the organization
b. What Happens During a Typical Day at an After School Program?
- The after school program is open for the day
- The facility is cleaned and prepared to welcome students
- Students are engaged in after school activities that include sports, homework assistance, physical activities, music and art, workforce development, and family activities
- The school is closed for the day and parents and guardians come in to pick up their wards
c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build an After School Program?
Here are some of the skills and experience you would need to build an after school program;
- Enthusiasm
- Patience
- Flexibility
- Creativity
- Good managerial and human development skills
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Experience working with students of all ages
- Experience in the sports and education industry
- Experience in school administration.