Child Care Improvement Project
We Help You Start Your Child Care Business
Free training and resources to start your child care business.
The Child Care Improvement Program (CCIP) helps childcare providers build successful businesses. CCIP provides tools to help them seek licensure and financial stability. CCIP works with entrepreneurs from immigrant and underserved communities in their own language. Networks within CCIP represent 38 cultures and 19 languages.
What we offer:
• Multilingual support
• Educational & technical assistance
• Small business advising
• Workshops & networking
• Monthly cohort meetings & conferences
• Access to childcare management tools
Current culurally specific cohorts:
African & East European providers
See the FAQ section to learn more about program qualifications.
Recent program evaluations have shown a marked impact. Some indicators of our success include:
95%
Reported an increase in their business practices.
10 Cohorts
6 Linguistically-specific cohorts graduated last quarter in the SBDC course specific for child care providers. For many it was a first-time graduation.
81%
Providers reported an increase in business income.
*By joining the Child Care Improvement Program, you will be making a commitment to receive training on and use financial management software, powered by Wonderschool or Brightwheel, for two years. We’ll support you with onboarding and any training necessary.
OUR PARTNERS
PROGRAM INSIGHTS
INCLUSIVE IMPACT
By providing linguistically and culturally responsive childcare, our childcare business development programs support the children and families who receive care, as well as the entire employment ecosystem by allowing more diverse parents and caregivers to participate in the workforce.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Business Advising, network supports, and local centralized business services are offered to those we serve. We are also part of Prosper Portland’s Inclusive Business Resource Network, a citywide program that brings multiple services for small businesses into a single network to provide greater efficiencies and cross-functional innovation.
COLLABORATIVE GROWTH
We work with Network partners to leverage our collective expertise to increase the success of underrepresented entrepreneurs and help close the racial wealth gap through business ownership and sustainability.
FAQs
Got Questions? We’ve got answers!
What does this program do?
CCIP offers micro-enterprise technical and educational assistance and support for culturally specific/immigrant childcare business providers in the most underrepresented communities. We offer the following: Pre-Licensing Support. We provide the support and techincal assitance to acquire state licensing. Learning and networking through peer-to-peer support trainings specific for child care providers to maintain their licensing requirements. Our program is linguistically-specific to serve communities with a shared language.
How can I become part of the Child Care Improvement Program?
You can enroll through the provided link or QR code. After signing up through the provided link or QR code, one of our business advisors will reach out to you directly. They will guide you step-by-step through the onboarding process, helping you understand the program, identify your goals, and outline a clear path to get started. Our team is here to make the process smooth, supportive, and tailored to your specific needs.
Are there any fees associated with joining or participating?
There is no cost to participate.Participation in the program is completely free. The main goal of CCIP is to support individuals in starting and growing childcare businesses while helping to address the shortage of quality childcare in our communities. By removing financial barriers, we aim to make it easier for aspiring and current childcare providers to access the resources, guidance, and support they need to succeed.
Does it matter what stage my childcare business is in?
What if English isn’t my first language?
We have program staff and coaches who speak a variety of languages: Spanish, Swahili, Somali, Ukranian, Russion to name a few. The business software is also available in a variety of languages.
