How Much Does It Cost to Start a Preschool in Georgia?

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Starting a Preschool in Georgia typically costs between $47,000 and $376,000, with a median estimate of $141,000. Georgia’s cost of living is 6% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Georgia costs $100 to file. Most preschool businesses take 6-12 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Preschool startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Preschool in Georgia?

Low

$47,000

Medium

$141,000

High

$376,000

National average: $50,000 – $400,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Preschool in Georgia

Budget:

Classroom Space Lease & Build-Out

$56,400

Curriculum & Educational Materials

$9,400

Classroom Furniture & Equipment

$14,100

Licensing & Accreditation

$4,700

Staff Hiring & Training

$14,100

Insurance

$6,580

Marketing & Enrollment Campaign

$3,760

Working Capital Reserve

$28,200

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$137,240

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$137,240

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Classroom Space Lease & Build-Out	$14,100	$56,400	$188,000	Preschools often share space with churches or community centers, reducing build-out costs significantly.
Curriculum & Educational Materials	$2,820	$9,400	$28,200	HighScope, Creative Curriculum, and Reggio Emilia materials run $2,000-$5,000 per classroom setup.
Classroom Furniture & Equipment	$4,700	$14,100	$37,600	Budget $3,000-$8,000 per classroom for complete furniture sets. Invest in quality — preschool furniture lasts 15-20 years.
Licensing & Accreditation	$940	$4,700	$14,100	NAEYC accreditation ($2,500-$5,000 to pursue) significantly increases enrollment and allows premium pricing.
Staff Hiring & Training	$4,700	$14,100	$37,600	Most states require lead preschool teachers to have at least an associate's degree in early childhood education.
Insurance	$1,880	$6,580	$18,800	Preschools require the same specialized insurance as daycare centers including abuse/neglect liability coverage.
Marketing & Enrollment Campaign	$940	$3,760	$11,280	Open house tours are the most effective preschool enrollment strategy. Hold 3-5 open houses before opening.
Working Capital Reserve	$9,400	$28,200	$75,200	Preschools fill enrollment in waves — most families enroll in September for the academic year.
Total Startup Cost	$39,480	$137,240	$410,780	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Georgia

General Business License

Georgia does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Georgia Secretary of State and may need to obtain a sales tax number from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Individual counties and cities in Georgia issue occupational tax certificates (business licenses) which are required for businesses operating within their jurisdiction. Atlanta, Savannah, and other municipalities have their own licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Permit — Georgia Department of Public Health or County Health Department
Cost: $50-$500 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Biennial
Cosmetology Shop License — Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Georgia Real Estate Commission
Cost: $170-$400 • Renewal: Every 4 years
Child Care Learning Center License — Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
Cost: $50-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Alcohol License — Georgia Department of Revenue — Alcohol and Tobacco Division
Cost: $1,000-$5,000 • Renewal: Annual
Medical Practice License — Georgia Composite Medical Board
Cost: $200-$600 • Renewal: Biennial
Motor Carrier Registration — Georgia Department of Public Safety
Cost: $150-$500 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Georgia municipalities regulate home-based businesses through local zoning ordinances. Most Georgia cities and counties allow home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on exterior signage, non-resident employees, and customer traffic. Unincorporated county areas, particularly in rural Georgia, often have more permissive rules for home-based businesses. Georgia law supports cottage food operations from home kitchens with direct consumer sales.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Preschool:

Low

$7,000/mo

Medium

$20,000/mo

High

$50,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$100,000 – $800,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

10-20%

Break-Even Timeline

18-30 months

How Georgia Compares to Neighboring States

Georgia is one of the more affordable states for launching a Preschool, with a cost-of-living index of 93.9 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Tennessee ($138,000 median startup cost), Georgia has higher costs for a Preschool.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Georgia (current)	$141,000	$100
Tennessee	$138,000	$300
North Carolina	$144,000	$125
South Carolina	$144,000	$110
Florida	$154,500	$125
Alabama	$132,000	$200

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Launching mid-year instead of September — most families commit to preschool before the school year starts
2
Not pursuing NAEYC accreditation — accredited programs charge 20-30% more and have waitlists
3
Underestimating teacher qualifications required — state regulations specify minimum education requirements
4
Not understanding your state's preschool subsidy programs — accepting subsidies increases enrollment significantly
5
Ignoring family communication tools — parents pay premium tuition and expect regular updates on their child

Next Steps to Launch Your Preschool

1
Obtain a Georgia preschool or early childhood education facility license from the Georgia Department of Education or DCFS
2
Register your Preschool as an LLC with the Georgia Secretary of State ($100 filing fee)
3
Ensure all lead teachers hold a Georgia-recognized Early Childhood Education (ECE) credential or degree
4
Pass the Georgia fire marshal and health department inspections for your preschool facility
5
Complete criminal background checks for all staff and volunteers per Georgia childcare licensing requirements
6
Get childcare-specific liability insurance and commercial property coverage ($5,000–$12,000/year)
7
Develop your curriculum framework — choose from play-based, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or structured academic approach
8
Enroll in the USDA CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) to receive reimbursement for qualifying meals

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a preschool costs $50,000 to $400,000. A small preschool using shared church or community center space can launch for $50,000-$100,000. A dedicated preschool facility for 40-60 students with its own space and outdoor area typically costs $150,000-$350,000.

Most states require lead preschool teachers to have an associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education, plus a state teaching certificate or Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Requirements vary by state. Aides typically need 18+ hours of early childhood education coursework.

Private preschool tuition ranges from $500-$2,500/month depending on location, hours, and program quality. NAEYC-accredited programs in affluent areas charge $1,500-$2,500/month. Part-day programs (3 hours, 3 days/week) charge $300-$800/month. Full-day programs command premium rates.

Franchises like The Learning Experience, Goddard School, and Kiddie Academy provide curriculum, training, and brand recognition at the cost of $150,000-$500,000 franchise fees and ongoing royalties (7-10% of revenue). Independent programs offer curriculum flexibility and no royalties, but require more development time.

A 2-classroom preschool with 20 students per class at $1,000/month tuition grosses $480,000/year. After teacher salaries (3-4 teachers at $35,000-$50,000 each), rent, and overhead, net margins of 10-20% require 85%+ enrollment. The key is maintaining a waitlist to fill departing students immediately.

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Start a Preschool in Other States

See the national overview for Preschool or browse all businesses you can start in Georgia.