By Mandy Witt, Senior Associate April 13, 2026
Challenge: Finding the Right Space for a Daycare Operation
Becky, a former teacher with a vision of opening her own daycare, set out to find a location that could support both her business goals and her family’s needs. She needed to secure a property within a specific radius of her home and within a particular school district, making location a critical factor.
In addition, daycare operations require highly specific criteria, including appropriate square footage, proper zoning, compliance with state regulations, and the ability to incorporate a safe outdoor play area.
Balancing these requirements significantly narrowed the pool of available properties. Finding a space that met operational standards, aligned with Becky’s personal needs, and positioned her for a successful opening presented a unique and complex challenge.
Action: Persistent Search and Strategic Guidance
Mandy Witt of Coldwell Banker Commercial McGuire Mears & Associates worked closely with Becky over an extended period to identify and evaluate viable properties that could support a daycare operation.
The search process spanned years, as multiple opportunities were explored. In several cases, properties initially appeared to be a fit, but challenges arose. Some landlords were unwilling to complete the necessary buildout, while others ultimately determined that a different type of tenant was better suited for their space.
Despite these setbacks, the strategy remained focused and consistent:
• Identifying locations that aligned with licensing and safety standards
• Coordinating with landlords on potential buildout and required improvements
• Negotiating terms that supported Becky’s business model and startup costs
Throughout the process, Mandy provided steady guidance, helping Becky navigate obstacles, reassess options, and continue moving forward with confidence until the right opportunity emerged.
Results: From Long Search to Secured Location
- Right Opportunity Secured: After extensive searching and outreach to local landlords, Becky secured a 4,418 SF space at 464 Midland Road, Janesville, WI, providing the size, zoning, and layout needed to support a licensed daycare operation.
- Successful Negotiation: The first Letter of Intent was submitted on November 3, 2025. Through continued negotiation and alignment between both parties, a lease agreement was successfully executed on January 28, 2026.
- Efficient Timeline: Once the right property and landlord were aligned, the deal progressed from LOI to signed lease in under three months.
- Opening on the Horizon: With the space secured, KidStation is now on track to complete buildout and open in Summer 2026, adding much-needed childcare capacity to the Janesville community.
- Persistence Paid Off: After months—and even years—of searching and overcoming setbacks, the right combination of property, landlord, and terms came together to turn Becky’s vision into reality.
“Working with Mandy made the process so much easier. Opening a daycare comes with so many moving parts, and she helped me find the right space and navigate everything along the way. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
– Becky, Owner, KidStation