Assistance Available to Start Your Own Home-based Child Care Business

“If you’re thinking about becoming a home-based child care provider, this is the way to go.”

As Rebecca Peck explains it, the opportunity to participate in the St. Lawrence County Family Child Care Training Program was the answer to making a dream true.

“I have always had a dream of opening my own child care business. Having four children of my own took a lot of my time, and I’ve just been kind of waiting for the perfect time to do it.” Then Rebecca saw information about the SLC Family Child Care Training Program (FCCTP) and decided it was the ideal time to start her business.

“The main benefit of operating my own child care business is that I can make the hours to make it work for my family life,” she explained.

Launched in 2022, the FCCTP offers grant-supported training and a unique professional pathway to help participants successfully launch their own Family Child Care business. Support for the initiative has been  made possible by the St. Lawrence County Legislature with program funding from the American Rescue Plan to help address the need for quality child care throughout the County.

The FCCTP provides the programs and support that helps ensure success as a Family Child Care provider. “This was the way to go because they help you, every step of the way,” Rebecca said. “Everyone is there for you.”

Program services include guidance on completing the NYS Family Child Care Application from the St. Lawrence Child Care Council; Small Business Development Center training and advice to successfully run a home-based child care business; then, attendance in SUNY Canton’s Early Childhood online course, earning 3-college credits and valuable knowledge and resources needed to care for children.

According to Rebecca, the benefits of being in the program started immediately and continued even after she completed it. “One of the most beneficial parts of the process was having Becky Stewart (from the Child Care Council) guide me through the daunting packet that you have to fill out as a family child care provider. She walked me through – page by page – everything that needed to be done. If I had any questions, she was there for me.”

Rebecca also heaped praise on the valuable lessons learned through the Early Childhood 101 Course provided by SUNY Canton, and the training she received from the Small Business Development Center. “Dale (Rice, Director of the SBDC) was very good at explaining the different parts of having a business.

“From sole proprietor to LLC, keeping track of bookkeeping to having contracts so you make sure you’re protecting yourself,” were among the key takeaways she gathered to help successfully operate her new business. And her relationship continues with the SBDC today. “I am in touch with them now as a free service that I’m also receiving.”

For residents of St. Lawrence County who are similarly interested in realizing their dream of opening their own home-based Family Child Care program, FCCTP registrations are being accepted on a rolling basis, as long as space is available and program funding remains.

“It can be a bit scary, but having people there to help you become successful is the way to go,” Rebecca noted.

Participants who successfully complete all three of the FCCTP requirements pay nothing for this valuable program, and are eligible to receive up to $1,500 to cover eligible costs related to starting their SLC Family Child Care facility.

Let us help you achieve your dream of starting your own homebased Family Child Care business. To learn more and enroll in the SLC Family Child Care Training Program, contact the St. Lawrence Child Care Council at 800-246-5352 or email BStewart@StLawrenceChildCare.org today!

And, hear more from Rebecca about this great program on YouTube.

About the FCCTP

The FCCTP is a collaborative program of the St. Lawrence Child Care Council, Small Business Development Center, SUNY Canton Early Childhood Program, New York Power Authority, SLC Workforce Development Board, SLC Industrial Development Agency, and the SLC Legislature with funding from the American Rescue Plan to meet the high demand and need for child care in St. Lawrence County.

St. Lawrence County FCCTP Partners are committed to local economic development, assisting working families, and supporting future Family Child Care small business owners, while ensuring access to high-quality child care options for children and families in communities in St. Lawrence County.

FCCTP registrations are accepted through the St. Lawrence Child Care Council on an ongoing basis from committed participants, as long as space is available, and funding remains.