EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Life, today, is characterized by independent family system, need for improved living standards, quality education for children, etc., resulting in increased pressure on working women to efficiently manage both their professional and domestic responsibilities. The demand for day care centers is on the rise, specifically by working mothers (doctors, business women, government servants, corporate employees, teachers, etc), and the service is deemed as a profitable entrepreneurship opportunity. Day Care Center is proposed to be located in major cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Quetta etc. The project features a facility and its ancillary services for children aged 6 months to 5 years in a hygienic and activity based educational environment, facilitated through trained and educated staff.  The project can be used for a maximum of 40 enrolments, however, keeping in view the rationale and demand; calculations have been made on the assumption of 24 enrolments for the first year of operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT & PRODUCT
The fast paced life of the cities is significantly influencing the life style of its inhabitants. Economic pressures are compelling both parents to work towards achieving and sustaining quality life standards. This has further added to complexity and competition of any metropolitan city. As a result of these social changes, the trend of sending children to Day Care Centres at a much earlier age is gaining rapid acceptance. This pre-feasibility study provides basic information for setting-up a day care centre with modern learning techniques and extracurricular activities. The proposed centre will offer a hygienic and efficiently managed care facility for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The centre would have the maximum capacity of providing service to 40 children; however, it assumed that 24 enrolments would be made during first year of its operation.  The proposed centre is recommended to be established in a rented building, preferably lower portion of one kanal house (4,500 sq.ft. area) with a reasonable front / back yard.  The total project cost for setting up this centre is estimated at Rs. 1.98 million.
CRITICAL FACTORS  
The proposed project has following factors critical to success;
• Secured, hazard free, and kids friendly environment is provided at center.
• Interior of Center should be designed to attract kids attention and promote learning. Like colorful walls with educational material, pasting theme oriented chart papers, and any other cost effective mode deem appropriate. 
• Developing plan of daily activities of enrolled kids.
• Extra care should be given to keep the place hygienic, and clean. 
• Location of the center in a commercial area.
• Opening of center with proper launch and promotional material.
• Hiring of a well-trained / experienced care provider for kids.
• Establishment of the Center in a rented building to reduce the project cost. 
• Parents are informed immediately in case of strike, kid is unwell (fever, flue, diarrhea, etc.), diaper rash and any other observation important for child development.
INSTALED & OPERATIONAL CAPACITIES  
 It is proposed that infants of age more than 6 months and children of ages up to 5 years may be enrolled in the center. The centre will have a maximum capacity of 40 enrolments. Initially, the overall utilization in the first year of operation would be 60% (i.e. 24 kids would be enrolled). This capacity is assumed to grow at a constant rate of 5% in subsequent years.  
GEOGRAPHICAL POTENTIAL FOR INVESTMENT   
The increasing population and high concentration of educated / working class in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Gujranwala, etc., offers a very lucrative business opportunity for opening up well planned Day Care Centres. However, it is recommended that the centre should be located in an easily approachable location, in line with the selected target market.  
POTENTIAL TARGET MARKETS & CITIES    
The target market for the proposed centre is working couple having infants of age more than 6 months to children of ages up to 5 years. The business community also has a positive response towards the idea of day care center due to their busy schedules and, therefore, can be targeted as potential customers.  Keeping in view the economic and social factors, it is recommended that the proposed project may be established in major cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, Karachi, Multan, and Peshawar. However the project may also be opened in other cities and towns after careful market analysis.