Let's quickly differentiate between a child care center and a child care program.  A child care center is an actual place, a building where children are cared for.  A child care program is the way the children are cared for, and involves planning age-appropriate activities, use of different teaching methods, etc. Before opening your child care center, you need to think about your child care program. 

In thinking about your program, first you need to decide its PURPOSE, GOALS, and PHILOSOPHY.  The PURPOSE of your program is to establish why you want to operate a child care center. Your GOALS guide your program toward the results you wish to accomplish. The PHILOSOPHY of your program outlines how you will operate your program based on your purpose and goals. 

Now stop and think about your response to WHY, WHAT, and HOW you create your program's foundation. Jot down your ideas and use this as a starting point for your program focus. If you need a starting point, review the goals and philosophies of the competition in your area.