The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) proudly announces a $300,000 grant from the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA), providing coaching and specialized training to existing and new childcare small businesses across Kentucky.  

The Kentucky SBDC’s Childcare Initiative seeks to provide technical assistance and training geared towards the childcare business sector. The objective is to devise and execute new programs, promoting the growth and sustainability of childcare businesses. Thus, enabling these businesses to serve the commonwealth’s children more effectively. 

“The Kentucky SBDC is excited to accept and deploy our Childcare Initiative to help benefit small businesses operating in the childcare sector across Kentucky,” said Kristina Joyce, Kentucky SBDC state director. “With this support, the Kentucky SBDC is committed to delivering targeted assistance to entrepreneurs in the childcare industry.” 

This initiative is designed to work in concert with Kentucky’s key childcare stakeholders, such as Kentucky Youth Advocates, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, Childcare Aware of Kentucky and the Family Childcare Network of Kentucky. These collaborations will enhance the economic well-being of the commonwealth’s children, broadening the availability of essential childcare services. 

“We recognize the critical role that childcare services play in our communities, supporting both working parents and early childhood development. With this grant, we are not only bolstering the childcare industry but also strengthening Kentucky’s economy through small business success. We aim to provide childcare small businesses in Kentucky with the essential resources to help them grow and thrive,” Joyce added. 

Continued efforts will concentrate on augmenting the number of available childcare slots while assisting entrepreneurs launching new childcare enterprises. Additionally, the initiative prioritizes enhancing the quality of current childcare centers, aiming to increase kindergarten preparedness and offer significant advantages to Kentucky’s children and their families. 

The Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative will offer a variety of assistance to childcare providers, including but not limited to: start-up support, financial management guidance, operations and compliance consulting, marketing and enrollment strategies, training and professional development programs, early childhood education resources, health and safety protocols and business skill enhancement services. 

Kentucky SBDC 

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been assisting the commonwealth’s small business community for over 40 years. With centers statewide and an experienced and knowledgeable staff, the Kentucky SBDC provides unparalleled business coaching and training services at no cost to help existing business owners and potential entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed.  

Kentucky SBDC services include one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, access to market research, loan packaging help, assistance with financial projections and information needed to make informed business decisions. 

Kentucky SBDC is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is administered by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in partnership with regional academic institutions, economic development organizations, the private sector and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

SBA 

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Kentucky SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA.