GCDC and United Way of Green County are excited to announce we have received Seed Accelerator grant funding from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to strengthen the childcare industry in Green County.
The seed accelerator model for entrepreneurial development is “designed to increase the outcomes for sustainability and growth of businesses.” Participants are provided with small amounts of financing, along with education and experienced hands-on coaching and mentorship.
The lack of childcare in Green County has been an issue for some time, and COVID-19 has brought it to the forefront. To ensure our future workforce, now is the time to take steps to grow quality childcare in Green County.
Direct business funding will be provided in four priority categories:
1. Getting childcare facilities to capacity by hiring new staff
2. Bringing unregulated facilities into certification or licensing to ensure quality and safety
3. Helping facilities join the state-wide Youngstar Rating program and increasing facility ratings
4. Funding the identified business needs of graduates of Childcare Business Boot Camp
Green County currently has 35 regulated childcare facilities and likely an equal number of unregulated childcare facilities. Of the regulated facilities, Green County has 15 group facilities and 20 family facilities. Half of the regulated facilities are not participating in the YoungStar Rating program, seven facilities have achieved two stars, seven facilities have achieved three stars, and three facilities have achieved five stars.
Signing and Retention Bonus Funding
Each regulated childcare facility may request funding for signing bonuses for new employees. Businesses will pay half of each bonus at 6 months and half at one year, as long as the employee is in good standing.
Funding to Get Regulated
Funding will be provided to our local Childcare Resource and Referral Agency, 4C, to assist all providers interested in becoming certified or licensed. Funding ($300 per business) will cover classes required to obtain certification or license.
A bonus of $500 will be provided to each childcare business that achieves certification. A bonus of $1,000 will be provided to each business that achieves licensing.
Funding to Join the Youngstar Rating Program or to Increase Rating
YoungStar is Wisconsin’s child care quality rating and improvement system. It is a five-star quality rating system for child care providers based on education, learning environment, business methods, and practices around child health and well-being. Green County employers use the Youngstar ratings to show new recruits that our area has quality childcare.
Childcare facilities that sign up to be part of the state’s Youngstar program at a level 2 will receive a stipend of $250. Family providers that increase their star rating will receive $500 for each increase. Group providers that increase their star rating will receive $1,000 for each increase.
Stipends for Graduates of Childcare Boot Camp Class
Childcare Business Boot Camp participants will identify their greatest needs for outside funding. This may include equipment, supplies, additional training, or attraction or retention bonuses.
Regulated group providers (caring for 20 to more than 150 children) will have greater needs than family providers (caring for 8 children or fewer). Funding provided will be based on identified needs.
In Green County, NOW is a great time to start a childcare business, get regulated and hire new employees. We have the one-on-one business assistance, peer mentoring and education classes to ensure our childcare businesses are strong and sustainable to meet the needs of families and employers.
— Cara Carper is executive director at Green County Development Corporation. She can be reached at cara.gcdc@tds.net.
