
START DATE
April 8, 2021
WHEN
Thursdays 6:00-8:00pm
LOCATION
Virtual (Zoom)
LENGTH
7 Weeks
COST
Free
Course Overview:
This course is a seven-week program designed to help owners and staff of Child Care Centers with fewer than 75 children in the state of Colorado to improve their business practices to both better serve their customers and promote their business sustainability with increased revenues. The course will meet via Zoom, and participants are also invited to meet one-on-one with an SBDC business consultant during and after the course for specific and continued training and support.
Training and consultation are available at no cost through partnership between the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and funding from the Colorado Shines Brighter – Preschool Development Grant.ย
Child care providers can earn professional development hours through the Professional Development Information System (PDIS) by attending all training sessions. Please note, a recorded option and follow up with the trainer is available if you have to miss a live class.ย
Course Outline:

Session Topics:
Session 1
April 8, 2021
This first session is an orientation. In this short, introductory session we will meet for 90 minutes to familiarize everyone with the course objectives and content, test the participantsโ internet connection and proficiency with the Zoom platform, and conduct an โintake surveyโ to learn about each participantโs business challenges and objectives for taking the course.ย
Session 2
April 15, 2021
This session is focused on mindset. We will uncover common industry mindsets and how they could be posing challenges in your business. We will learn about the process of overcoming limiting mindsets and how that process translates into positive business action.ย
Session 3
April 22, 2021
This session is focused on market research and pricing. We’ll compare and contrast industry standards as well as market rate studies and challenge you to think about your own business’s pricing. Should you make a change? We’ll talk through the pro’s and con’s and what that could look like for your business.ย
Session 4
April 29, 2021
This session is focused on business revenues and expenses. We’ll cover systems for tracking finances and a tool to help you account for child care expenses specifically. We’ll also talk about the importance of grants, open opportunities for funding, and other ways you can take full advantage of your revenue.
Session 5
May 6, 2021
This session is focused on taxes, business structure, and business liability insurance. We’ll break down the various requirements at the state and county level to asses what makes the most sense for your business. These topics can feel very overwhelming but we have tools to help and experts to assist!ย
Session 6
May 13, 2021
This session is focused on marketing and licensing. We’ll go over considerations to keep in mind when promoting your business and industry best practices. We’ll also hear directly from the Office of Early Childhood with open opportunities for questions.ย
Session 7
May 20, 2021
Graduation! We will celebrate the accomplishment, discuss next steps, continued education and resources available to you, and how you can ensure you get your PDIS credit for the course.
CLASS FORMAT
We will meet virtually (Zoom) for seven classes.ย In addition, this course features an online learning platform with resources,ย supplemental materials, lecture videos, weekly homework assignments, and quizzes to help you implement what you are learning in class into your own business.ย
COST
This class is free for Child Care Centers with fewer than 75 children thanks to our generous partnership with the Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
SCHEDULE
The course is held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Mountain Time on Thursdays beginning April 8th and ending on May 20th.ย
TO REGISTERย
Space is limited to 15 participants total, and this course is filling fast! Please click below to reserve your spot now.

Meet Your Instructor
Dawn Alexander
Child Care Specialist, North Metro SBDC
Dawn received her Masterโs degree in Public Administration and has worked in child care for 15+ years, holding roles such as a licensed home provider, a licensing specialist, and a health and safety specialist at the Health Department.
Dawn has been consulting for the past year, working to help child care programs be as effective as possible. Dawn loves creative solutions and building frameworks of support with business owners that enable them to sustain and thrive. Dawn and her husband have three kids.
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APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM
ย To apply, we are asking for a 1-2 minute video where you tell us a bit about your business (either new or existing business) and what you hope to gain from this program.ย
Any video file format is acceptable, but your video must be limited to 2 minutes maximum length. Please just let your creativity shine through . . . .we are looking for authenticity, sincerity, and a commitment to growth โ not perfection!