How Much Does It Cost to Start a Daycare Center in Nevada?

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Starting a Daycare Center in Nevada typically costs between $61,200 and $510,000, with a median estimate of $183,600. Nevada’s cost of living runs 2% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Nevada costs $425 to file. Most daycare center businesses take 4-12 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Daycare Center startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Daycare Center in Nevada?

Low

$61,200

Medium

$183,600

High

$510,000

National average: $60,000 – $500,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Daycare Center in Nevada

Budget:

Facility Lease & Build-Out

$81,600

Playground Equipment

$20,400

Indoor Furniture & Learning Materials

$30,600

State Licensing & Inspections

$5,100

Staff Hiring & Training

$20,400

Insurance

$10,200

Childcare Management Software

$2,040

Marketing & Community Outreach

$5,100

Working Capital Reserve

$40,800

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$216,240

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$216,240

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Facility Lease & Build-Out	$20,400	$81,600	$255,000	Daycare facilities must meet strict state square footage requirements per child (35-50 sq ft indoor + 75 sq ft outdoor).
Playground Equipment	$5,100	$20,400	$61,200	CPSC-compliant commercial playground equipment costs $8,000-$30,000. Engineered wood fiber or rubber surfacing is required.
Indoor Furniture & Learning Materials	$10,200	$30,600	$81,600	Budget $500-$2,000 per classroom for furnishings. Infant rooms require cribs ($200-$500 each).
State Licensing & Inspections	$1,020	$5,100	$15,300	Background checks for all staff and household members cost $30-$100 each. Licensing fees vary by state and capacity.
Staff Hiring & Training	$5,100	$20,400	$61,200	Most states require lead teachers to have CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials or a degree in early childhood education.
Insurance	$3,060	$10,200	$30,600	Abuse/neglect liability insurance is mandatory for childcare centers. Budget $500-$2,000/year for this specific coverage.
Childcare Management Software	$510	$2,040	$6,120	Brightwheel, Procare, and HiMama are popular daycare management platforms at $1-$3 per child per month.
Marketing & Community Outreach	$1,020	$5,100	$15,300	Word of mouth from satisfied parents is the most effective marketing. Pediatrician referrals are also valuable.
Working Capital Reserve	$15,300	$40,800	$122,400	Daycares typically fill to 60% capacity in year 1, 80% in year 2, and 90%+ in year 3.
Total Startup Cost	$61,710	$216,240	$648,720	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Nevada

General Business License

Nevada requires most businesses to obtain a State Business License from the Nevada Secretary of State, costing $200 per year for corporations and LLCs (or $100 for sole proprietors). Nevada has no corporate income tax and no personal income tax, making it very attractive for business incorporation. Additionally, businesses must register with the Nevada Department of Taxation for sales and use tax, and local jurisdictions (particularly Clark County/Las Vegas and Washoe County/Reno) require separate local business licenses.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Health Permit for Food Establishment — Southern Nevada Health District or Washoe County Health District
Cost: $200-$1,200 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor's License — Nevada State Contractors Board
Cost: $300-$1,000 • Renewal: Biennial
Cosmetology Establishment License — Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
Cost: $75-$250 • Renewal: Biennial
Real Estate Broker License — Nevada Real Estate Division
Cost: $300-$700 • Renewal: Biennial
Gaming License — Nevada Gaming Control Board
Cost: $500-$100,000+ • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Nevada Division of Child and Family Services
Cost: $100-$500 • Renewal: Annual
Liquor License — Nevada Tax Commission or Local Liquor Licensing Authority
Cost: $200-$5,000 • Renewal: Annual
Nevada Transportation Authority Certificate — Nevada Transportation Authority
Cost: $300-$1,500 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Nevada municipalities and counties regulate home-based businesses through local zoning ordinances. Clark County allows home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on customer visits, signage, and commercial vehicle storage. Nevada's business-friendly environment generally supports home-based businesses, and the no-income-tax advantage applies to home-based businesses as well. Nevada's cottage food law explicitly supports home-based food production and direct consumer sales.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Daycare Center:

Low

$8,000/mo

Medium

$25,000/mo

High

$70,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$150,000 – $1,000,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

10-20%

Break-Even Timeline

18-36 months

How Nevada Compares to Neighboring States

Nevada is close to the national average for Daycare Center startup costs, with a cost-of-living index of 101.7. Compared to neighboring California ($243,000 median startup cost), Nevada offers lower costs for a Daycare Center.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Nevada (current)	$183,600	$425
California	$243,000	$70
Arizona	$185,400	$50
Utah	$190,800	$54
Idaho	$185,400	$100
Oregon	$201,600	$100

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Underestimating licensing timeline — state childcare licensing takes 3-9 months in most states
2
Not budgeting for staff-to-child ratios — state regulations require 1 teacher per 4-6 infants
3
Skipping abuse/neglect liability insurance — it's mandatory and the most critical coverage for daycare centers
4
Opening without a full enrollment waitlist — use the pre-opening period to build a waitlist of 30+ families
5
Not including subsidy billing in operations — accepting Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidies significantly increases enrollment

Next Steps to Launch Your Daycare Center

1
Obtain a Nevada childcare facility license from the Nevada Department of Children and Family Services before accepting children
2
Register your Daycare Center as an LLC with the Nevada Secretary of State ($425 filing fee)
3
Pass the Nevada fire marshal inspection — exits, smoke detectors, extinguishers, and evacuation plans are required
4
Complete criminal background checks on ALL staff per Nevada childcare licensing requirements
5
Meet Nevada staff-to-child ratio requirements: typically 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, 1:10 for preschool-age
6
Get childcare-specific liability insurance and workers compensation coverage ($5,000–$12,000/year)
7
Install the physical requirements: fenced outdoor play area, age-appropriate bathroom facilities, and kitchen if serving meals
8
Enroll in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to offset meal costs if you serve qualifying children

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening a daycare center costs $60,000 to $500,000. A small home-based daycare for 6-8 children can launch for $10,000-$30,000. A licensed commercial daycare center for 30-50 children typically costs $100,000-$250,000. A large full-service childcare center for 100+ children can exceed $500,000.

State childcare licensing takes 3-9 months on average. The process involves submitting an application, facility inspections (fire, health, licensing), background checks for all staff, staff training verification, and a licensing visit. Start the licensing process immediately after finding your facility.

Capacity depends on your facility size and state ratio requirements. Typical ratios: infants (1:4), toddlers (1:6), preschoolers (1:10-12). A 2,500 sq ft facility at 35 sq ft per child can serve 71 children maximum, adjusted for ratio requirements. Most states cap home daycares at 6-8 children.

Daycare centers can net 10-20% profit margins at full capacity. A 50-child center charging $1,200/month average tuition grosses $720,000/year. After staff labor (60-65% of revenue), rent, supplies, and insurance, net profit runs $72,000-$144,000. The key is maintaining 85%+ occupancy consistently.

Requirements vary by state and staff role. Lead teachers typically need a CDA credential ($425 to obtain), an associate's degree in early childhood education, or a bachelor's degree. Aides may need only 18+ years of age and a high school diploma plus CPR certification. All staff must pass a background check.

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Start a Daycare Center in Other States

See the national overview for Daycare Center or browse all businesses you can start in Nevada.