1. 14 days before: pick one state
Licensing rules differ by state, so launch for one state first. Download that state's child care licensing regulations and its inspection or monitoring checklist from the licensing agency's website. Build your template around those exact rule numbers so an owner can see you know their rules.
2. 12 days before: talk to 10 owners
Search Facebook for groups like "[State] Family Child Care Providers" or "[State] Daycare Directors" and join three. Also search Google Maps for "home daycare near [city]" and call during nap time, 1 to 2 pm. Ask: "What did your last licensing inspector write you up for, and how do you track it now?" Write down their exact words.
3. 9 days before: make a free asset
Turn what you learned into a free printable, for example "[State] Pre-Inspection Checklist: 40 items inspectors check most." Base the items on the state's own monitoring tool, not on guesses. Put it behind a simple email signup so you can follow up.
4. 7 days before: line up 5 early users
Message every owner you spoke with: "Thanks for the chat last week. I built the checklist we talked about for [State] rules. Can I set it up for your center for free and get your honest feedback before I open it up?" Do the setup on a call with them. Fix whatever confuses them.
5. Launch day: post where owners already are
Post in your Facebook groups, after checking each group's rules or asking the admin first. Example: "I talked to a dozen [State] providers about inspections and kept hearing about missing fire drill logs and expired CPR certs. I made a free pre-inspection checklist based on the state monitoring tool. Happy to share it, just comment and I'll send it." Reply to every comment within the hour.
6. Launch day: email associations and CCR&Rs
Find your state's child care resource and referral agency (CCR&R) and the state family child care association. Email the provider support coordinator: "I made a free [State] pre-inspection checklist based on the licensing monitoring tool. Would it be useful to share with providers in your next newsletter?" Offer the free asset, not the paid tool.
7. Days 2 to 7: follow up and ask for money
Everyone who downloaded the checklist gets a personal email within 48 hours: "Did the checklist help? I also have a version that reminds you when staff certifications and drills are due. It's $X a month, and I'll set it up for you on a 15-minute call." Ask your five early users if they'll pay now. A yes from two of them is your launch working.
8. Days 8 to 14: repeat in the next state
Write down which group, message and question got replies, then copy the playbook into a neighboring state. Keep a simple list of owners, their last contact date and next step. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can run this daily outreach and follow-up with you.
Mistakes to skip
- Launching for "all daycares" instead of one state's licensing rules.
- Posting a sales pitch in provider Facebook groups without permission from the admin.
- Building features before any owner has looked at a checklist on a call.
- Never asking early users to pay, so you don't learn if the tool is worth money.
Want this done for your compliance checklist tool for small daycare centers, every day?
Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.
Find my first customersQuestions
Do I need to know childcare licensing to sell this?
No, but you need to read your target state's regulations and monitoring checklist closely. Owners will spot generic content fast.
Should I target home daycares or centers first?
Start with small home daycares and small centers. The owner makes the decision alone, often on the same day.
What should I charge at launch?
Pick a simple monthly price and test it with your first five users. If everyone says yes instantly, raise it for the next five.
Is Product Hunt worth it for this launch?
Not really. Daycare owners rarely use it. Your time is better spent in state provider groups and with CCR&Rs.