United Way of Southwest Virginia (UWSWVA) is hosting a Childcare Business Challenge to strengthen and expand early childhood care and education centers in Grayson, Russell, Smyth and Washington Counties.
The six-week Business Challenge will help entrepreneurs and existing business owners develop business plans and learn industry best practices from business management experts. At the end of the six weeks, participants will be better equipped to reduce costs, increase profits, reduce burn-out, and potentially win up to $10,000 in grant funds.
Childcare Business Challenge
Virtually, Thursdays
March 7 – April 18
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Registration closes Feb. 29
Winners announced May 2
In addition, participants will have an opportunity to receive one year of tier one membership in the Shared Services Alliance, enrollment in the UWSWVA Child Care Directors Course, support with staffing, and support with VA DOE licensure preparation.
“Investments that increase access to high-quality and reliable childcare are investments in our region’s future,” said Travis Staton, United Way of Southwest Virginia President & CEO. “Research shows that access to reliable childcare increases parents’ ability to be gainfully employed, helping local businesses run at full capacity. It also shows that children who receive high-quality early childhood education and care are better prepared for success in k-12, which leads to greater self-sufficiency and careers with higher-paying jobs.”
The Childcare Business Challenge is a project of Shared Services Alliance, a newly launched program of the United Way of Southwest Virginia that is intended to strengthen the business acumen of operations so that providers can focus more on their mission, the children, and the families they serve. It will provide business coaching and back-office support such as accounting, payroll, and human resources, to childcare providers in our region.
“The childcare and education industry is an important element of community and family health,” explained Lindsey Holderfield, Director of Employer Services with United Way of Southwest Virginia. “We believe a resilient and accessible childcare sector leads to healthier families and better outcomes for the next generation, and that’s what the Shared Services Alliance aims to accomplish.”
To learn more about the Childcare Business Challenge, visit the Shared Services page on our website. To learn more about United Way of Southwest Virginia, click here.
