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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

We have program staff and coaches who are Spanish-speaking. And the software is available in Spanish.

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.

We have program staff and coaches who are Spanish-speaking. And the software is available in Spanish.

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!

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.

It does! This software helps with enrollment management, paperwork management, attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, lesson plan management, and more.

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.

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!

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!

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.