AboutPam Koons Expertise Early Childhood Education For Prospective, New and Existing Teachers, and also Pre-School Owners/Directors. I can offer Teaching advice and also School Business advice. I owned a private Pre-school that I started over 22 years ago. I have degrees in Early Childhood Education, Business Management and Children's Theater. Can answer a variety of questions on anything having to do with Early Childhood Education, both teaching and business aspects.
Currently I am an Editor and Regional Correspondent for Seattle PreschoolRock.com, an on-line network of over 32 websites dedicated solely to parents and teachers of preschoolers. Please see me at: http://Seattle.PreschoolRock.com/ and www.preschoolmentor.com and www.myspace.com/thebusinessofeducation
Experience Success in many areas. President of the local Chamber of Commerce. My school was voted #1 best private Pre-School in my county. 26 newspaper articles were written about my school and a half page news article about myself. Published Author in a Children's Anthology now on Amazon. Guest lecturer at the local College.
Question I am interested in opening a preschool in the area of Quincy, Massachusetts but do not know how to go about it. I have a degree in early childhood education and have worked at a preschool with my sisters for several years. However I have no idea how to find a place to open a preschool and have little to no knowledge on the business side of early childhood education. I am sure that any information you give me would help.
Answer Hi. This is a very worthy endeavor you are pursuing. It also is about 1,000 questions rolled into one email- which the site prohibits me from doing. If you can ask again and be more question-specific, I can answer. There are many different areas involved with starting up a school.
I usually first tell folks to begin at their local Small Business Aministration (SBA) office, as they have quick classes and can offer up a lot of useful info. as how to start up a small business, zoning, etc. I did mine when I was 22 and it was all naivety and common sense that propelled me! Getting some busines skills under your belt is VERY important. Luckily I had a father who was my Mentor. You might be able to pick up a Mentor at the SBA who can guide you.
That's a good start for you. Parents will like that you have a degree!
A good website to look into for more Preschool-specific info. is the National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC). They, too, offer a LOT of useful data.
Also, go on tours of as many preschools as you can- pretend to be a Mom if you have to! This will give you a greater concept of what is in your area already.
