Our Valley Needs You!
What you should know...
There is a shortage of licensed child care slots in Walla Walla and Columbia Counties particularly for:
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Infants and Toddlers (children under the age of three)
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Child Care at Non Standard Hours (child care for 12 hour shifts, evenings, early mornings and weekends)
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Drop In Child Care
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Child Care located outside the City of Walla Walla
Owning a child care business can be a way to support your family and support others, while spending time with your own children.
A Good Candidate
You may be a good candidate to start a child care business if..
- You enjoy being around young children
- You want to care for your own children and take care of others
- You want to be an entrepreneur
- You enjoy challenges
- You want to serve your community
- You can obtain a federal tax ID or EIN number
- You own your home or your landlord permits a licensed family child care business in your
residence
Myth Busting...
What You May Have Heard
- The licensing requirements are too strict
- I’ll go broke operating a child care center
- I have to have a B.A. in education to open a child care program
- The state system is impossible to navigate
- There is no support for child care providers operating a business
Myth: The licensing requirements are too strict
- The licensing process can be strict to ensure that children are well care for. But it is doable.
- Working with WWVELC, you will have support every step of the way.
- Becoming a provider is easier than before thanks to changed education requirements, increased state subsidy reimbursement and streamlined licensing processes
- Having realistic expectations throughout this process is important- if you have a background in ECE and don’t need to make a lot of changes to your home you could become licensed and open your business in about 6- 9 months, otherwise plan for 12-18 months.
The Process
I'm ready to start the process!
Process for Starting Your Child Care Business
- Figure out what stage of the process you are at
- Find out what changes you may need to make to your home for it to be licensed
- Research what programs and services might be the most useful or helpful for you (See our other Provider Resources)
- Complete education requirements for opening and develop an education pathway that makes sense for you
- Develop a business plan, profit/loss and finding financing
- Make changes to your home, create curriculum, health and safety policies
- Start, complete and submit the licensing application
- Participate in licensing inspection and approval process
Sound like a lot? Don't worry, WWVELC will walk you through the process and be there every step of the way.
Interested? Here are first steps:
- Get a STARS number and sign up for the DCYF Student Portal. Call or email me if you want help doing this.
- On the DCYF Student Portal view Child Care Orientation Modules 1 & 2
- Contact me using the form below and we can talk about the Child Care Feasibility Checklist!