The longer you wait, the harder it will be, unless you have a financial goal you're trying to hit first. Once you have more people depending on you it gets harder to risk.
Honestly the only safer way to do it is to keep your job while you build up your real estate portfolio. It sucks, and takes a lot of work, but no one said it'd be easy. LLC your rental business and keep your job until your new venture is making "fuck you" money. Then walk in to your 9-5 and say fuck you.
As for daycare, I have no idea what the margins look like, but it has to be a money maker. The initial investment would be big, and the key would be hiring a really good administrator.
With two kids at Goddard and a $2k per month, I often wonder where all of the money goes. I know the teachers/aides don't make s#@*.
Good luck and get on it!!