Fundamentals for Child Care Businesses

Child Care

This course is a six-week program designed to help child care providers in the state of Colorado to improve their business practices to both better serve their customers and promote their business sustainability with increased revenues. No prior business training is required, all are welcome! The class will meet online via Zoom, and participants are also invited to meet online one-on-one with an SBDC business consultant during and after the course for specific and continued training and support.

Training and consultation are available at no cost through a partnership between the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and funding from Colorado Shines Brighter – Preschool Development Grant. 

Child care providers can earn professional development hours through the Professional Development Information System (PDIS) by attending all training sessions. Please note, a recorded option and follow-up with the trainer is available if you have to miss a live class.

Class Format:

We will meet virtually (Zoom) for six classes. In addition, this course features an online learning platform with resources,  supplemental materials, lecture videos, weekly homework assignments, and quizzes to help you implement what you are learning in class into your own business. 

Cost:

This class is free for Child Care Providers thanks to our generous partnership with the Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

Schedule:

The course is held from 6:30 – 8:30 PM Mountain Time on Thursdays beginning November 4th and ending on December 16th. The course will not meet on Thursday, November 25th in recognition of Thanksgiving and will take that week off.

To Register:

Space is limited and this course is filling fast! Please click below to reserve your spot now.

Course Outline:

By the end of this course, you will have the resources and knowledge needed to make improvements in your business model and operational practices. Examples of areas covered include:
 
 – Examine your current business structure
 – Examine your system for tracking finances
 – Assess your business liability insurance policy 
 – Update your marketing and pricing strategy to optimize revenue
– Develop a business model that matches your goals 
 
This course is eligible for PDIS credit. Full participation in the course is required to receive credit.
 
Throughout the course, and after, you are equipped with one-on-one coaching support from experts in the field. 
 

Session Topics:

Session 1

November 4, 2021
This session is focused on mindset. We will uncover common industry mindsets and how they could be posing challenges in your business. We will learn about the process of overcoming limiting mindsets and how that process translates into positive business action.

Session 2

November 11, 2021
This session is focused on market research and pricing. We’ll compare and contrast industry standards as well as market rate studies and challenge you to think about your own business’s pricing. Should you make a change? We’ll talk through the pro’s and con’s and what that could look like for your business. 

Session 3

November 18, 2021
This session is focused on business revenues and expenses. We’ll cover systems for tracking finances and a tool to  help you account for child care expenses specifically. We’ll also talk about the importance of grants, open opportunities for funding, and other ways you can take full advantage of your revenue. 

Session 4

December 2, 2021
This session is focused on taxes, business structure, and business liability insurance. We’ll break down the various requirements at the state and county level to asses what makes the most sense for your business. These topics can feel very overwhelming but we have tools to help and experts to assist! 

Session 5

December 9, 2021
This session is focused on marketing and licensing. We’ll go over considerations to keep in mind when promoting your business and industry best practices. We’ll also hear directly from the Office of Early Childhood with open opportunities for questions. 

Session 6

December 16, 2021
Graduation! We will celebrate the accomplishment, discuss next steps, continued education and resources available to you, and how you can ensure you get your PDIS credit for the course. 

Meet Your Instructor

Dawn 

Dawn Alexander
Child Care Specialist, North Metro SBDC

Dawn received her Master’s degree in Public Administration and has worked in child care for 15+ years, holding roles such as a licensed home provider, a licensing specialist, and a health and safety specialist at the Health Department.

Dawn has been consulting for the past year, working to help child care programs be as effective as possible. Dawn loves creative solutions and building frameworks of support with business owners that enable them to sustain and thrive. Dawn and her husband have three kids.

When

  • Thursday, November 04, 2021 | 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
  • Thursday, November 11, 2021 | 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
  • Thursday, November 18, 2021 | 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
  • Thursday, December 02, 2021 | 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
  • Thursday, December 09, 2021 | 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
  • Thursday, December 16, 2021 | 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
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