The Monterey County Business Council has announced a partnership with Nurture, an Oakland-based nonprofit, and the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Initiative to encourage local entrepreneurs to launch their own at-home childcare businesses.
The Business Council announced the $150,000 investment on May 18 noting its goal to address child care needs in Monterey County, with a focus on South County. The funds come from County of Monterey through the American Rescue Plan Act.
"This partnership represents a vital investment in our community’s future," Richard Vaughn, economic development manager for the County of Monterey, said in a statement. "By utilizing ARPA funds to foster new child care businesses, we are not only creating jobs and businesses but also providing the essential support systems that allow working parents in Monterey County to participate in the local economy."
The goal is to provide training, technical assistance and resources for entrepreneurs to thrive in the long run. Additionally, it would increase job opportunities, expand child care services and, potentially, enable parents (who don’t have access to child care) to seek employment.
The Bright Beginnings Initiative, in partnership with Mamas Abogan, a community-based organization focused on expanding early childhood services, will lead outreach for this program to ensure it reaches communities and neighborhoods with the greatest child care needs.
Nurture will provide the core training for this program and grant funds to qualified participants (those who complete the program and obtain their state license). The training is a 12-week program and it will be open for up to 30 people. The first cohort began on May 13.
"Four out of five young children in Monterey County do not have access to licensed child care. Our bilingual app-based business training and one-on-one coaching are designed to remove the traditional barriers to entry for home-based child care—and increase the number of licensed childcare spaces, so parents can work and children can thrive,” said Jennifer Brooks, CEO of Nurture.
After entrepreneurs complete their training and licensing process, they will receive additional support from the Monarch Small Business Development Center, which the Monterey County Business Council operates.
"This program centers upon an inclusive approach and provides a clear pathway to business ownership and high-quality child care,” said Jeff Ruster, the Business Council's executive director.
Residents from Monterey and San Benito counties are encouraged to apply. The next session begins on Tuesday, July 7. Future dates include Thursday, Aug. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 11. Assistance will be provided in English and Spanish.
For more information or to apply to the program, people can visit nurturebusiness.org/intros-sp (Spanish), or nurturebusiness.org/intros (English). They can also text or call (765) DAY-CARE.