This funding initiative is designed to support new childcare providers and start-up programs by offering up to $40,000 in start-up funding.

The program aims to facilitate the establishment of either a Certified Family licensed home or a commercial childcare program, ensuring that emerging providers have the necessary resources to create high-quality care environments from the outset.

Child playing with a colorful wooden abacus.

Funding Purpose and Impact

The up to $40,000 in start-up funding is intended to:

Enable new providers to establish a robust childcare service with the proper infrastructure, training, and regulatory compliance.

Facilitate Market Entry:

Ensure that start-ups have the foundational resources to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive childcare services from the beginning.

Enhance Quality of Care:

Encourage both family-based and commercial childcare models, thereby expanding the options available to families and contributing to a diverse childcare landscape.

Support Diverse Models:

Through mandatory training and participation in quality initiatives like SPARK, the program aims to build long-term capacity among new providers, ultimately benefiting the broader community.

Build Long-Term Capacity:

By meeting these comprehensive eligibility criteria, new providers and start-ups can access critical funding and support to launch and sustain high-quality childcare programs.

This initiative not only aids in overcoming the initial financial and operational hurdles but also ensures that emerging providers are well-prepared to offer culturally responsive and effective care to infants and toddlers.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

To qualify for the start-up funding, providers must adhere to the following conditions:

  • Applicants must be willing to open either a Certified Family-licensed home or a commercial childcare program. This flexibility allows for a range of childcare service models to be supported.

  • Providers must become registered in the Childcare Central Background Registry (CBR), ensuring that all involved personnel have undergone required background checks and meet safety standards.

  • Upon obtaining a license, providers must be willing to accept Employment Related Daycare (ERDC). This condition supports broader access to quality childcare by integrating providers into a recognized program network.

  • Owners and providers must participate in a pathways training program if they are not already meeting Step 8 standards. This ensures that new entrants are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality care.

  • Applicants are required to obtain a business license, thereby formalizing their operations and ensuring compliance with local business regulations.

  • Providers must participate in SPARK, an initiative designed to enhance the quality and consistency of childcare services through structured support and resources.

  • The program requires that providers offer dedicated slots for infants and toddlers. This requirement underscores the commitment to early childhood care and the unique developmental needs of the youngest children.