Starting a Child Care Center

Rural Information Center (U.S.)

Beltsville, MD: USDA, National Agricultural Library, Rural Information Center, [2015] Rev.
Updated by Mary Louise Reynnells. February, 2015.  Last Modified, May 2019
Original edition: September, 2005 by Patricia La Caille John.
Internet-resource: https://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/starting-child-care-center

Contents

• Introduction
• Types of Child Care Programs
• Funding Sources
  
  • Federal
  • Native American Programs
  • State
  • Private
  • Technical Assistance
  • Funding Guides
• Milestones for Childhood Development
• Child Care Statistics/Data
• Journals

Introduction

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, through the information in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations." (Bureau of Labor Statistics1) Additionally from the Bureau of Labor Statistics we see just how large the child care profession is as Child care workers held just over 1.3 million jobs in 2012 with "about 29 percent of childcare workers were self-employed in 2012." (Bureau of Labor Statistics2)

This Guide provides informational resources on for starting a rural child care center, childhood developmental resources, different types of child care programs, funding programs that have been used to assist child care centers, statistical resources, journals and organizations that provide information to child care providers and parents on topics of interest in this field.

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Preschool and Childcare Center Directors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm (visited February 03, 2015).
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Childcare Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm (visited February 03, 2015).

Types of Child Care

1. Child Care in Rural Areas: Top Challenges. Linda K. Smith. Arlington, VA: Childcare Aware of America. 18p. July 9, 2010. http://www.naccrra.org/sites/default/files/default_site_pages/2012/rural_top_concerns_070910.pdf [PDF File 313.41KB]
2. Early Childhood Facilities. Washington, DC: National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, 2005. 28 p. http://http://nieer.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/14.pdf
3. A Guide to Resources and Funding for Community and Faith‐Based Organizations. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. 32p. February 2012.
   https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/acfguidecfbosmay2012.pdf [PDF File 1.16 MB]
4. Insurance for your Business. Child Care Aware. Arlington, VA: Child Care Aware® of America. (visited February 03, 2015)
   http://www.childcareaware.org/providers/planning-for-success/insurance-for-your-business/
5. Perspectives on Rural Child Care. Betty A. Beach. ERIC Digest, ED403102, 1997. 4 p. http://www.ericdigests.org/1997-3/rural.html
6. Resource Guide: Starting and Operating a Child Care Business. Washington, DC: Office of Child Care, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. April 1, 2014.
   https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/resource/resource-guide-starting-and-operating-child-care-business
7. SBA's Learning Center: Online Business Courses. Washington, DC: Small Business Administration, Web-Based Resource. (visited March 22, 2019) https://www.sba.gov/learning-center
8. Start Your Own Business. Washington, DC: Small Business Administration. Web-Based Resource. (visited March 22, 2019)
   https://www.usa.gov/start-business?source=busa
9. A Comparison of Regulated Child Care in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania. Elizabeth E. Manlove, Margaret S. Benson, Martha J. Strickland, and Richard J. Fiene. Harrisburg, PA: The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. 24p. May 2011.http://www.rural.palegislature.us/regulated_child_care_2011.pdf [PDF file 1.51MB].
10. Choosing Child Care: Child Care Options. Healthwise Staff. Boise, ID: Healthwise, Inc., Last Revised: October 9, 2013. http://www.sutterhealth.org/health/healthinfo/index.php?section=healthinfo&page=article&sgml_id=aa43308
11. Kids at Work: The Value of Employer-Sponsored On-Site Child Care Centers. Connelly, Rachel, Deborah S. DeGraff, and Rachel A. Willis. Kalamazoo, MI: Bowdoin College W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 2004. 175 p.
    http://www.upjohn.org/publications/upjohn-institute-press/kids-work-value-employer-sponsored-site-child-care-centers
12. An Overview: The Different Types of Child Care. Child Care Aware of Washington State. http://www.childcarenet.org/families/types-of-care Online resource. (viewed February 03, 2015).
13. Rural Families Choose Home-Based Child Care. Smith, Kristin. Perspectives Poverty, Policy, & Place, Vol.4, No.1; 2007. Page 2. http://www.rupri.org/Forms/Perspectivesvol4n1.pdf#page=2
14. Summary of Child Care Co-op Organizing Steps. Coontz, E. Kim. Davis, CA: California Center for Cooperative Development, 1p. Web-based resource. (Visited Sept. 13,2011)
    http://www.cccd.coop/summary-child-care-co-op-organizing-steps [PDF File 242.47KB]
15. Types of Child Care. Child Care Resources Handbook. Washington, DC: United States Office of Personnel Management. http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/worklife/reference-materials/child-care-resources-handbook/ Online resource. (viewed February 03, 2015).

Funding Sources

When starting a funding search you may want to review all possible options that could be used for child care programs including, federal, state, and private resources. Child Care providers may want to review the items in this guide to assist in developing a list of possible resources.

Federal

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has programs that assist with care care facilities, child care businesses and food programs that support child care centers and family day care homes.

• Rural Development, http://www.rd.usda.gov/ Provides facilities and business programs to assist rural communities.
  • Community Facilities funding programs: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program For non profit organizations, tribal and Rural governments.
  • Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-microentrepreneur-assistance-program For non profit organizations, tribal governments, and Institutions of higher learning that then can assist rural businesses with Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
  • Your state or local Rural Development Office, http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
• Food and Nutrition Services, Child and Adult Care Food Program.http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/child-day-care-centers "Provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants and children as a regular part of their day care."

U.S. Department of Education programs that assist with child care efforts:

• The 21st Century Community Learning Centers  (84.287) program offers an after-school environment that provides enrichment opportunities for children. http://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html
• The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (84.335) program provides funding to support or establish child care programs serving low-income students enrolled in college.  Only institutions of higher education are eligible. http://www2.ed.gov/programs/campisp/index.html

U.S. General Services Administration,

• Donation of Federal Surplus Personal Property Program allows for the donation of surplus federal personal property (computers etc.) to state and local public agencies and qualifying nonprofits. Contact this program at: fedassetsales@gsa.gov http://www.govsales.gov/.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has funding programs that support child care services.

• The Office of Child Care, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ has several funding programs for child care facilities.

• Child Care and Development Fund Factsheet: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/resource/child-care-and-development-fund

• Office of Head Start, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs has programs that assist with nutrition, health, and education readiness for young children.

• Early Head Start National Resource Center, http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc
• Head Start Locator: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices
• Head Start, National Center on Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness, http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/cultural-linguistic/
• Head Start Family Child Care Program Option https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/head-start-showcase-family-child-care-program-option

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supports child care facilities near or within public housing. To determine eligibility or to apply for any of the programs listed below, contact your state HUD office.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)  https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/communitydevelopment 
• Neighborhood Networks  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?rc=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/ross/aboutnn

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section provides information to child care centers regarding compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This program has an ADA Information Line (1-800-514-0301) that provides answers to general and technical questions about ADA compliance.

• Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act, http://www.ada.gov/chcaflyr.htm
• Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act, http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm
• National Network Contacts for local ADA Centers http://www.adata.org/national-network

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides small businesses financing options, technical assistance, and child care resource information. Check you local Small Business Administration offices at
https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices for more information and applications.

• Small Business Administration's Financing Your Business, https://www.sba.gov/starting-business/finance-your-business provides details on all their financial programs.
• Small Business Administration's Starting and Managing a Business, https://www.sba.gov/starting-managing-business, provides links to all the basics information on business startup, planning, financing and managing.
  • Small Business Administration Answer Desk: 800-827-5722 and email: answerdesk@sba.gov
  • Small Business Administration Disaster Loans: 800-659-2955 and email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
• Small Business Administration's Office of Women's Business Ownership provides Women with specific business assistance and training https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/wbo.

Native American Programs

• Administration for Children & Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Programs and Services for Native Americans/Tribes: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/initiatives-priorities/tribal
  • The National Center on Tribal Child Care Implementation and Innovation. Office of Child Care Technical Assistance Network. https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/centers/national-center-tribal-early-childhood-development Contact: 800-388-7670.
• Family and Child Education (FACE), Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) "FACE was initiated in 1990, and currently has programs in 44 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools. It was designed as a family literacy program; an integrated model for an early childhood/parental involvement program for American Indian families in BIE-funded schools." http://www.faceresources.org/
• Head Start, National Center on Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness, http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/cultural-linguistic/
• Indian Health Service, School Health: https://www.ihs.gov/communityhealth/schoolhealth/
• Native American Employment and Training Program (17.265), Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor. Employment and Training Administration Division of Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP) http://www.doleta.gov/dinap/

State

Consult the child care resources and referral agency in your area for information on available state funding and/or technical assistance programs, licensing and regulations.

• Child Care State Capacity Building Center: "will deliver expert consultation, TA support, and informational products to support Administration for Children and Families’ priorities and State and Territory goals."
  https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/centers/child-care-state-capacity-building-center
• Child Care Data Explorer and State Profiles. Washington, DC: Office of Child Care Technical Assistance Network. https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/data

Private

Most private funding is available to organizations and government entities, not individual child care centers

• Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, MD. http://www.aecf.org/about/grant-making/
• Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Flint, MI. http://www.mott.org/work/education/afterschool/
• The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Los Altos, CA. http://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/children-families-and-communities/

Technical Assistance

• Child and Family Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Washington, DC.
  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/program/child-and-family-development
• Child Care Technical Assistance Network (CCTAN). U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care, technical assistance services. Website: https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/
• Local Initiatives Support Collaboration (LISC), New York, NY. http://www.lisc.org/
  • Early Childhood Facilities http://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/education/early-childhood-facilities/

Funding Guides

• Afterschool Alliance, Funding and Sustainability. Washington, DC: Afterschool Alliance, (viewed February, 2015). http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/funding.cfm
• Resource Guide: Starting and Operating a Child Care Business. Washington, DC: U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care. 23p. April 1, 2014.Offered in both English and Spanish. https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/resource/resource-guide-starting-and-operating-child-care-business

Milestones for Childhood Development

• Developmental Milestones. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
  • This Web site includes seven Milestone resources for children ages 3 months to 5 years. Parents and providers can obtain free information on these milestones through the Learn the Signs. Act Early. Public Outreach Campaign. The Rural Information Center is a partner in this campaign.

Child Care Statistics/Data

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Childcare Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm (visited May, 2016).
• ChildStats.gov, Washington, DC. http://www.childstats.gov/
• Kids Count Initiative. Baltimore, MD: The Annie E. Casey Foundation. http://www.aecf.org/work/kids-count/
• U.S.State Child Data. Washington, DC: Children Defense Fund. http://www.childrensdefense.org/library/pub-lists/us-state-child-data-ll.html

Journals

John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2214

Child Care In Practice.
http://www.childcareinpractice.org/

Affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Elsevier.
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/early-childhood-research-quarterly/

Texas Workforce Commission
http://www.childcarequarterly.com/

• Child: Care, Health and Development
• Child Care in Practice
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Texas Child Care Quarterly

Rural Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 109
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
ric@ars.usda.gov