| There are seven new women-owned family childcare businesses opening later this month, as the very first cohort from La Colaborativa’s childcare career pathway completes the yearlong program! That is seven new childcare options available to working families who are desperate to secure care for their children that will enable them to stabilize financially. And that is seven new women business owners, pursuing their childcare dreams and charting their own pathways to economic stability for their families. ¡Felicidades a todos!
In addition, 13 more women have completed our childcare program, earned their credentials, and secured jobs at existing childcare centers, family childcare businesses, and public schools. At least three of these women are still planning to open their own family childcare businesses in the future and are actively searching for new housing that could support their dreams.
The pandemic revealed the fragility of our childcare system and the critical role that women play in our communities as caregivers. In response, La Colaborativa mobilized partners, funders, and members to invest in the incredible caregiving capacity that already exists in our community. Our childcare career pathway connects community-minded caregivers to education, training, and technical assistance so they can be licensed and paid for their work. The services they will provide are key to building a foundation for economic justice in our community. Some of the new businesses will even offer overnight childcare, to enable working parents to accept third shift jobs that will get them closer to economic stability.
We are grateful to the many partners that have helped support our first cohort of childcare workers, including Bunker Hill Community College providing early childhood education opportunities to the cohort, and Clarendon Early Education Services, providing technical assistance on licensure, monthly reporting, and other compliance issues for the cohort members. |
