Early Child Care Business Accelerator Program

---

The ECC Business Accelerator Program for Home Based Registered Family Providers is a 3-month program that focuses on providing the skills and knowledge for persons who intend to become RF or CF providers, or for persons who currently are home-based child care providers licensed within the past 2 years. This program is offered in English and Spanish. Upon completion of the ECC Business Accelerator Course and meeting program requirements, graduates are eligible to receive a $5,000 grant. 

---

What is the ECC Business Accelerator Program for

Home Based Providers?

The Business Accelerator course is offered at no charge to participants and is running 4 times a year through 2024. The program has 7 in-person weekly evening classroom sessions from 6-9 p.m. (21 hours total), as well as 6 direct business advising sessions (minimum of 6 hours). Dinner is provided. Participants should also expect to spend 30-40 hours outside the classroom (4-6 hours per week) to get their home-based child care business started. Persons are expected to attend all classes and advising sessions to be eligible for college credit and the $5,000 start-up grant. The course includes, but is not limited to, the below concepts:

• Continuous quality improvement
• Understanding how to become licensed
• Starting a business 101
• Understanding the financials of running a business
• Policy and procedure development

Who is Eligible?

The following items must be completed before entering the program. NeighborImpact Child Care Resources is here to support persons in completing these requirements:

• Complete the Registered Family Child Care Classes One and Two
• Initiate the Oregon Employment Department’s Central Background Registry
• Submit home “water testing” sample
• Verify that Homeowner’s Association (HOA) or rental lease agreement allows for operating a child care business out of your home.

Information/Apply

Enrollment & Contact Information

NeighborImpact Website_ Opportunity C- Home

To enroll in the program, or for questions about the program, please contact Hannah Kuehl via email at childcarebiz@neighborimpact.org or by telephone at 541-604-0421.For Spanish speaking providers, please contact Monica Altamirano via email at childcarebiz@neighborimpact.org or by telephone at 541-647-0303.

---

The Business Accelerator Program for Centers is open to persons who are opening or expanding a certified commercial child care center. This program supports start-up and existing child care providers in two ways - by a) offering grant funding up to a $300,000 award, and b) providing training to support child care providers in creating and maintaining a successful and financially sustainable child care center that focuses on continuous quality improvement. It is open to child care providers, directors, owners and operators.

---

What is the ECC Business Accelerator Program for

Commercial Centers?

The program includes a 12-series, 36-hour business education course and 8 direct business advising sessions through Central Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center and NeighborImpact. Weekly sessions take place between 6-9 p.m. The program lasts between 4 and 6 months; the first cohort will start in late March of 2023 and the second cohort will start in September of 2023. In addition to classroom time, participants should expect to spend 30-40 hours outside the classroom (4-6 hours per week). Students are expected to attend all classes, advising sessions, and meet program requirements to be eligible for the full award amount.

Award Amounts

Providers may seek funding amounts based upon the maximum allowable amounts per child and per grant. Maximum allowable amounts are as follows:

1. Maximum award per child: $6,000
2. Maximum award per grant: $300,000

The program includes, but is not limited to the below concepts:

• Creating a center business plan that will be reviewed by an expert panel
• Budgeting for a child care center and understanding financial statements
• Facility management and licensed compliance action plan
• Staffing and human resource management
• Learn best practices for a quality care program

Who is Eligible?

To be accepted into the Business Accelerator Program for Child Care Centers, persons must meet the following preconditions:

• Intention and ability to start or expand a child care center
• Have experience or background in early learning settings
• Have initiated the Oregon Employment Department’s Central Background Registry
• Ability to participate in Oregon Registry’s Online training and education

Process for Applying

*For persons who are interested in this opportunity, please review the Formal Application prior to submitting interest to ensure you can meet minimum qualifications necessary to receive funding. NeighborImpact is willing to assist child care providers with the application and registration process, as well as support providers in completing the program preconditions.

Step 1: Submit Request for Interest

Step 2: Initial meeting with NeighborImpact and COCC SBDC

Step 3: Invitation to apply

Step 4: Acceptance and program registration 

Please review complete details and forms for the application process on the NeighborImpact Expansion Project Website.

NeighborImpact Website _Opportunity B - Centers

Contact:

Please contact Hannah Kuehl via email at ccep@neighborimpact.org or by telephone at 541-604-0421 for questions, application assistance, and/or enrollment assistance. 

SBDC Contact

Kathryn Brown 

Early Child Care Business Accelerator Program Manager 

kbrown28@cocc.edu 

---