Demand for child care was high before the pandemic — a study from Oregon State University shows that as of March 2020, Clackamas County has at least three children under the age of 2 for every one available child care slot — and continues to be high today.
There are so many benefits to becoming a provider in this time of need within our community. Opening an in-home or center-based child care can be a great business opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs who love children. The startup costs and risks are low when operating out of your home compared to many other businesses. The opportunity to be home working with your own young children while saving on your own childcare costs is huge and the potential monetary and emotional rewards are infinite!
Opportunities available to providers:
- Training workshops through Child Care Resource & Referral of Clackamas County to help you learn more about caring for children
- Spark, a quality rating system that recognizes, rewards and builds on what you are already doing well
- Support and information through the national site Child Care Aware of America
- Reimbursements for a portion of your business’s food costs through the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program
- Savings on your taxes by deducting business expenses such as food, toys, supplies and many household items used for your childcare business
Learn more about the benefits of becoming a family child care provider from the nation’s leading expert on the business of family child care, Tom Copeland on his blog Taking Care of Business, and reach out to the Child Care Resource & Referral of Clackamas County to learn how to get started.
