Private daycares and preschools in Dakar play their full year in 8 weeks, March to May. Those with an online registration platform hit 100% capacity before June. The others chase parents until October, with classes at 60% occupancy and a payroll that doesn't hold.
TL;DR
- A Dakar daycare/preschool typically has 40 to 120 slots to fill each year. An empty slot = 600,000 to 2,400,000 FCFA lost.
- 78% of Dakar CSP+ parents search "daycare [neighbourhood]" on Google as early as January. Without a site, you're invisible.
- Wave/OM enrolment deposit + online application tracking = 2.3x multiplier from application to actual enrolment.
The real calendar of a parent hunting for a spot
Mrs Ndiaye, CFO, 5 months pregnant, Mermoz. She wants to enrol her future baby in daycare for September 2027. She starts searching as early as January 2027 (8 months ahead for the best institutions).
- January: Google search "daycare Mermoz" + reviews, shortlist 6 places.
- February: calls, visits. Drops the 3 that don't answer.
- March: has to submit a full file (parent birth certificates, 2 photos, signed rules, 100,000-300,000 FCFA deposit).
- April-May: final confirmation + Q1 payment.
A daycare forcing two physical trips for the file (one to collect, one to return) loses 30-40% of the most solvent parents who simply don't have the time.
What belongs on the site
Transparent pedagogy page
Dakar CSP+ parents want to know: Montessori? Freinet? Classic with stimulation? Bilingual fr/en? Teacher-to-child ratio (1:6 daycare, 1:15 preschool). Organic/halal/hot meals? Dormitory nap or mats? Outdoor activities?
Monthly fees + extras
- Annual enrolment: 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA
- Daycare monthly (3 months - 3 years): 150,000 to 280,000 FCFA
- Preschool monthly (3-6 years): 120,000 to 250,000 FCFA
- Meals, extracurriculars, outings: optional
Showing ranges prevents the "wait, this is 2x my budget" realisation mid-visit.
Online application portal
The parent:
- Fills the form (child, parents, level requested)
- Uploads supporting documents (custody ruling, health book, ID photos)
- Pays a 100,000 FCFA Wave/OM deposit to reserve the spot
- Gets instant confirmation + file number
- Tracks status (pending / pre-admitted / admitted / confirmed) online
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Post-enrolment parent area
Digital daily log, weekly menu, activity photos, online monthly fee payments, direct communication with management.
What Kolonell delivers for a daycare
Premium Daycare-Preschool Pack: 6-8 page site + complete application portal + parent area + recurring fee payments (Wave/OM/card) + Google Business Local integration.
Delivered in 5 to 7 weeks, 780,000 to 1,180,000 FCFA. Maintenance 45,000 FCFA/month.
"I used to spend March to May in physical meetings. Now 80% of files come in online, I filter in 15 minutes, I only meet qualified families. I filled May 2026 before end of March for the first time since opening in 2018."
— Director, bilingual daycare-preschool, Point E Dakar
FAQ
Can we reject a child whose file is complete online?
Yes — the deposit is fully refundable on institutional refusal. Only a parent no-show after admission forfeits the deposit.
Are child photos a legal issue?
Sensitive. Get written parental consent per child, with granular control (OK site / OK Instagram / OK never). Law 2008-12 compliance.
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You run a Dakar daycare or preschool and September 2027 isn't booked?
kolonell.com/en/devis-gratuit — WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Ba
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
