Top 4 Services to Outsource for Your Childcare Business

You’re always looking for ways to save money and grow revenue at your daycare. Did you know that outsourcing is one of the most cost-effective strategies for boosting your childcare company’s profitability? It’s true. Businesses of every size use outsourcing to cut costs and get more value from every dollar. In this guide, we’ll walk through the top services to consider outsourcing for your childcare business.

According to Deloitte’s Global Outsourcing Survey, cost reduction and access to specialized talent remain the top reasons companies outsource — and small businesses benefit just as much as enterprises.

Why Outsourcing for Childcare Business Owners Pays Off

Outsourcing functions you would otherwise pay an in-house employee to handle can save you a meaningful amount of money and time. When you outsource, you only pay for the services you need. As a result, you avoid the full cost of adding another full-time staff member, including:

• Salary
• Benefits package
• Bonuses
• Hiring and training time
• Payroll taxes and processing

In addition, outsourcing gives you access to expertise at exactly the level you need it. You lean on professionals who specialize in their craft so you can focus on running and growing your childcare business. The U.S. Small Business Administration notes that contracting work out is one of the fastest ways for small operators to scale without bloating overhead.

Here are the top four services to consider outsourcing for your childcare company.

1. Accounting

It may come as no surprise that accounting tops the list. Beyond being one of the most commonly outsourced functions across all industries, it’s also one of the most critical to running a healthy childcare business. Full-service accounting professionals — like the team at Honest Buck Accounting — bring deep expertise in core finance functions, such as:

• Payroll processing
• Tax preparation and compliance
• Monthly reporting
• Invoicing and receivables
• Quarterly and annual forecasting
• Profitability coaching

When to outsource your accounting

Entrusting the financial side of your business to the right professionals may be one of the most important decisions you make. Outsourcing your accounting is almost always a smart move, because it’s easy for the books to get out of control fast. If your books are a mess, your head is swimming in forms and compliance rules, and payroll keeps slipping through the cracks, it’s time to bring in help.

For example, many of our clients pair an outsourced accountant with a fractional CFO once they grow past two locations. To go deeper, read about the benefits of outsourcing your accountant and the benefits of outsourcing your CFO. As a bonus, the right accountant will also help you build a financial dashboard so you always know where your numbers stand.

2. Marketing

Marketing is another function many businesses outsource — and for good reason. Done well, it drives enrollment and grows your brand. Done poorly, it burns cash on the wrong tactics and fizzles into wasted hours. Bringing in a marketing agency or freelance marketing pro is often a great choice for childcare owners.

Experts in small-business marketing can help with:

• Building and maintaining your childcare business website
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
• Content strategy and management
• Graphic design
• Copywriting
• Social media management
• Marketing and ad campaigns

Why DIY marketing usually backfires

Childcare owners are often tempted to handle marketing themselves. However, they end up overspending on the wrong channels or chasing leads that never convert into enrolled families. Outsourcing to a specialist solves that problem and saves a lot of frustration. Meanwhile, you also free up your tech stack from tools you don’t actually need.

3. Cleaning, Food Prep, and Maintenance

Facilities operations are another strong candidate for outsourcing. The care, upkeep, and daily running of your childcare facility require a serious investment of time and labor — so recruit the right help to make sure it’s done right.

Cleaning services

Janitorial pros can step in to handle:

• Vacuuming
• Mopping and washing
• Disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces
• Cleaning bathrooms and kitchen areas
• Trash collection
• Restocking hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues
• Dusting, polishing, and wiping down soiled areas
• Window washing
• Hard floor maintenance
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning

Maintenance services

Outside vendors can also cover:

• Landscaping
• Snow removal
• Interior and exterior repairs
• Safety inspection response and adherence

Food prep services

Food prep providers can take meals off your plate, including:

• Breakfast and lunch programs that meet all USDA CACFP requirements
• Snack and beverage services
• Bulk wholesale supplies
• Adherence to federal and state health guidelines
• General food delivery and preparation

Clearly, there’s a lot that goes into running a daycare facility every day. Outsourcing these services eases the burden so you can focus your time and talent on growing your business — not on wielding a mop and disinfectant spray.

4. Staff Recruitment

When it’s time to hire for your childcare team, you want quality candidates. Working with an outsourced staffing service can be extremely valuable. Recruiting professionals can help you fill roles at your daycare, preschool, kindergarten, or afterschool program. Working with children requires specific qualities and qualifications, so finding the right job candidates is crucial.

What staffing agencies handle

Staffing agencies specialize in sourcing top candidates for open positions. From lead generation through interviews, you’ll often find that outsourcing recruitment delivers peace of mind you didn’t know was possible. According to SHRM, the average cost-per-hire continues to climb each year, which makes specialized recruiters an increasingly cost-effective option.

If you’d rather build your in-house hiring engine instead, start with our guides on writing a stand-out job ad, building a strong employee handbook, and the benefits of outsourcing HR services.

Make Outsourcing Work for Your Childcare Business

Finally, we hope this guide gives you helpful direction as you look for ways to save money in your childcare business. Outsourcing for childcare business owners is rarely an expense — it’s an investment that frees you up to run and grow the company you love.

Want to experience the benefits of full-service accounting for your childcare business? The professionals at Honest Buck Accounting partner with dedicated owners like you by offering a full range of expert accounting services. Schedule a discovery call today to talk through your childcare business accounting needs.