Question 1

How much is my daycare / childcare center worth?

Accepted Answer

Typical daycare / childcare center businesses sell at 2.5–4× SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) for smaller deals, or 5–9× EBITDA for larger transactions. Actual valuation depends on customer concentration, growth rate, owner dependency, and market timing.

Question 2

How long does it take to sell a daycare / childcare center?

Accepted Answer

Most daycare / childcare center sales close in 6–12 months from kickoff to closing. Preparation and valuation: 2-4 weeks. Marketing and buyer vetting: 8-16 weeks. Due diligence: 6-10 weeks. Closing: 2-4 weeks.

Question 3

Who buys daycares in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Typical buyer types include: Daycare consolidators (BrightPath, Kids&Co); PE-backed platforms. SAZ has direct relationships with buyers in each category and targets only those that fit your specific business.

Question 4

What's most important in due diligence for a daycare / childcare center?

Accepted Answer

Buyers focus heavily on: Provincial licence transfer; Subsidy eligibility; Staff retention. SAZ pre-diligences these areas before listing — surprises in DD kill deals or compress price.

Question 5

What drives valuation for daycares?

Accepted Answer

Key value drivers in this industry: Licensed capacity; Waitlist length; Subsidy contracts (CWELCC, $10/day); Real estate (if owned). SAZ positions your business to maximize these in the CIM and buyer conversations.

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