By Dinesh Sharma, Principal Architect OAA, Sharma Office of Design + Architecture Inc. (SODA)

You’ve got one centre running well. Now you’re thinking about a second. Here’s what changes — and what to get right from the start.

Opening a second childcare location is a completely different challenge than opening the first. The first time around, you’re figuring everything out as you go. By the second location, you’ve learned what works — and what you wish you’d done differently.

This article is for operators who are ready to grow, or who are thinking about it seriously. It covers the physical side of expansion: how to pick the right space, how to make your second location easier to run than your first, and what to think about if you plan to keep growing beyond that.

Everything from your first project still applies — and then some

Every requirement that applied to your first location applies to your second. The Record of Site Condition. The ESA assessments. The building permit. The outdoor play area. The washroom ratios. The fire separations.

None of that goes away because you’ve done it before.

What does change is that you now know what to look for. The operators who expand successfully are the ones who use that knowledge to evaluate new spaces faster, negotiate better leases, and avoid the sites that look promising but carry hidden complications.

The outdoor play area — again, on every site

It bears repeating because it eliminates spaces quickly. Every location needs its own designated outdoor play area, on the property, accessible directly from the childcare rooms. This is a CCEYA requirement and it does not flex.

When evaluating a second or third site, this is still your first check. If the property can’t accommodate an on-site play area, it’s not a viable childcare location.

Start the environmental conversation earlier the second time

If your first project involved a Record of Site Condition — or if you navigated the exemption process — you already know how much time it adds. On your second project, start that conversation with your architect before you’ve committed to the space.

Before signing a lease on any new location, confirm:

• Is the landlord aware an RSC may be required and are they willing to allow it on title?
• What was the previous use of the space and the neighbouring properties?
• Is the site near a Metrolinx corridor or in a high-traffic area that might trigger additional studies?

Getting answers to these questions before signing will save you significant time and money.

The biggest mistake operators make when expanding

They treat every new location as a brand new project, starting from scratch each time.

That approach works once. But if you’re planning to run two, three, or five locations eventually, you need a different mindset from the beginning. Every decision you make on your first renovation — the layout of the rooms, the location of the washrooms, the type of finishes you choose — is either going to make your second location easier or harder.

The operators who scale well are the ones who think about their second location while they’re designing their first.

What is a “prototype” and why does it matter?

In architecture, a prototype is a standard design that can be applied — with adjustments — to multiple locations. Large childcare operators and franchises use them. The idea is simple: once you’ve figured out what works, you document it and repeat it.

The layout that gives children the best flow through the space. The washroom configuration that meets code and is easy for staff. The finishes that hold up to years of hard use and clean easily. The storage solutions that actually get used.

You don’t need a formal prototype to run two locations. But having a clear sense of your standard layout — even informally — will save time and money on every subsequent project.

What to look for in a second space

When evaluating a second location, you’re not just asking whether it can become a childcare centre. You’re asking whether it can become a childcare centre that runs like your first one.

A few things to consider:

Similar square footage. If your first location works well for 60 children at 3,500 square feet, look for something in a similar range. Dramatically different sizes mean different staffing models and more complexity.

Similar floor plan geometry. A long narrow space requires a completely different layout than a square one. If your first centre works well, try to find spaces with a similar basic shape.

Similar lease terms. Consistency in rent escalations, renewal options, and tenant improvement allowances makes your business easier to manage financially.

Proximity to your first location. There are real operational benefits to locations close enough that you can visit both in the same day. Staff coverage, oversight, and supply ordering all get simpler.

The value of working with the same architect across locations

An architect who has already worked on your first location knows your preferences, your standard layout, the licensing requirements you’re working within, and the things that came up during construction you’d do differently next time.

On your second project, that knowledge saves time. You’re not starting from scratch. The architect already knows what you want and what works.

Over time, working with the same firm across multiple locations also builds a record of your built spaces — drawings, permits, specifications — that becomes genuinely useful if you ever refinance, sell, or bring in a partner.

A note on your own capacity

Opening a second location while your first is still finding its footing is a common reason good childcare businesses run into difficulty. The renovation process demands attention — decisions to make, problems to solve, timelines to manage — on top of running your existing centre.

This isn’t an argument against expanding. It’s an argument for being realistic about timing, having the right professionals around you, and not compressing the process more than it can handle.

The space will be ready when the permits are done and the contractor is finished. Make sure you’re ready too.

Ready to think about your next location?

Whether you’re planning a second location or your fifth, the process is the same: find the right space, understand what it takes to get it open, and make decisions that serve you for the long run.

If you’re at that stage and want to talk through what you’re looking at, we’re happy to have that conversation.

Reach out at sodainc.ca — we’re happy to talk through what you’re looking at.