Childcare providers credit WBDC grants and coaching for growth, stress the need for self-care and peer networks

Childcare providers who received grants and coaching from the Women's Business Development Council described how the supports enabled growth and improved business practices, while panelists said attention to staff and parent mental health remains a top priority.

Marcela Rodriguez and Kamara Moody, both WBDC clients, described receiving opening, expansion and technology grants and using funds to buy equipment, hire teachers and expand capacity. "With the help of WBDC, we were able to expand," Marcela said, adding that technology grants enabled lesson planning and improved staff capacity. Kamara said an expansion grant allowed her to hire a teacher and reach roughly 95 percent capacity.

Panel advisers emphasized common challenges for providers: fear (especially related to finances) and lack of planning. "People are fearful of their numbers," Tanya Kelly said, and WBDC works to build confidence and planning skills so providers can access other capital and grow.

On mental health, Linda Fecteau and others stressed the interconnected wellness of staff, children and parents. Providers described routine "morning check-ins" with parents and brief staff check-ins as everyday, practical tools. "If the teachers are not okay, the kids are not okay," Kamara said.

Advice offered to providers included practical steps: protect private time and "peace," take five-minute breathing breaks, avoid isolation by joining director councils or navigators, and use WBDC networking events to build a support village.

The panel encouraged other providers to consider WBDC services and upcoming local networking and training opportunities.