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Increase your revenue and grow your family child care home.
closed
February 14
Grow your family child care program and reduce your stress in 2021
Operating a family child care home is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone. Get access to 18 months of free business coaching, child care management software and community to help you fill your seats and collect payments faster, streamline your time-consuming business tasks, and increase your bottom line.
Automate your program operations
- Eliminates paperwork
- Helps you collect tuition and fees on-time and online
- Shares your up-to-date availability with families looking for care
- Helps you communicate with parents on the go, offer digital check-in and check-out, and more.
Increase your revenue
- Record keeping
- Tax management
- Bad debt reduction
- MD Excels, and more.
Grow Your Business
- Refine your business goals
- Build a strong financial plan
- Build a marketing plan to increase your online presence
- Prepare for upcoming tax seasons, and more.
Get Started Now
Fill out the simple application form to help us learn about you and your program.
We’ll have a 20-30 minute call to discuss your business goals.
If accepted, you’ll get set up with your free tools, coach and cohort.
What We'll Ask of You
You have questions, we have answers!
What is this program?
This is a free 18-month program to help you and family child care programs across Maryland make more money, reduce your administrative task list, and relieve the stress that running a business can bring (especially one during COVID!). If accepted, you’ll be a part of a cohort of other Family Child Care professionals and business coaches to help you implement software tools, refine your business goals, reduce any debt you may have, and find ways to increase your revenue and bottom line.
Is this really free?
Yes, it is free for 18-months, and you will always be connected to your cohort. If you choose to continue with the software you will need to pay a monthly fee.
What are the qualifications?
You must:
- be a family child care business owner
- be in business for at least 18 months
- Actively participate or are willing to enroll in EXCELS (at any level)
- Have participated in past trainings and/or feedback opportunities with a Child Care Resource & Referral Agency
- Have a mobile phone
- Agree to participate in the program for 18 months (as long as you are in business)
I’m just getting started -- do I need this?
The Child Care Boost program is open to all Owners/Directors to help you build on the foundation you’ve already created. As long as you have been in your role for at least 18 months you are encouraged to apply.
I’m worried that the technology will be too complex for my program.
We’re providing simple, fast and free software to help you manage your program from a phone, computer or tablet. The software was designed for and is used by hundreds of family child care programs across the country. We will also provide support every step of the way, from onboarding to implementation.
I'm not organized enough -- I’m embarrassed to have someone else see my information.
We understand how challenging it can be to stay on top of all of the administrative demands of your business. If your files are unorganized then you need the help of automation and a Business Coach! No judgement - just help in tidying up your operations and reducing your administrative burdens.
I don’t have time to learn how to do this.
Spending a few hours a week (2-3!) to learn and use the software will save you time day in and day out. Meeting with your coach to analyze your data and improve your business and quality practices will improve your program and your bottom line.
English isn’t my native language.
We have program staff and coaches who are Spanish-speaking. And the software is available in Spanish.
Why did you create the Child Care Boost program?
Child care is an essential service, and COVID highlighted this and the fact that child care programs need more support to survive and thrive. So Maryland Family Network created the Child Care Boost program, and multi-county support system in partnership with child care resource referrals and child care advocates. Our mission is to help you build a sustainable business, increase your revenue, and get rid of business struggles that keep you from growing.
English isn’t my native language.
We have program staff and coaches who are Spanish-speaking. And the software is available in Spanish.
Do we have to use Wonderschool to participate?
Yes. This business support will help us receive the data we need to help you stay full, you’re collecting the money you’re owed, and we can share with the State and hopefully extend this program!
Do we have to pay for Wonderschool after the program is over?
Yes. During the 18-months of the program our goal is to help you increase enrollment and revenues so you can afford the cost of Wonderschool once the program is complete.
Does the Wonderschool software allow entering of immunization records of children?
It does! This software helps with enrollment management, paperwork management, attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, lesson plan management, and more.
Will we be responsible for a lot of homework?
We expect that you’ll spend about 10 hours a month on the program, including time with your cohort and your coaches. There will not be a lot of homework, but you will have tasks to help you grow your business.
Do you provide content and curriculum for child care?
Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Center is heavily involved in this project, and provides support and resources around quality, content, best practices and more!
If I’m not chosen for this pilot, will there be another opportunity to join?
There will be a second cohort for center-based providers at a later date. Our goal is to grow this program to be able to offer it to more family child care home providers and centers at a later date, but this is contingent on us receiving additional financing. We will try our best to grow this program and support more of you!
Which days will the cohort meet?
We have not chosen these days as of yet, but we expect that you’ll spend less than 10 hours a month on this program, including the time spent with your cohort and coaches.