I'd "follow the money" for my proposed child care facility if I knew where to find it! Where do I look?
Grants and/or loans may be available for your project depending on what families you will serve, the type and location of the program and other factors. Let us help you identify them and be ready to apply. (Hint: see next FAQ)
We paid lots of money to have an Economic Impact of Child Care (EICC) prepared. Now what?
Quantifying the economic value of the child care industry through an Economic Impact of Child Care report is only valuable as a tool for engaging community partners to build the infrastructure to support child care facilities development-in other words, it's only a first step. That process will look different in each county/city depending on local conditions, important players, resources, etc. We can assist you to develop a plan to use that EICC to accomplish your goals.
How can we make developers and employers contribute to child care facilities development?
Developers can only be required to contribute if the city/county institutes a child care linkage program (e.g. impact fee) or negotiates child care inclusion in Development Agreements for large projects. Local governments can offer incentives and facilitate such child care space in other ways. Both developers and employers can be educated about the benefits to them (financial and public relations) of addressing child care needs of employees and/or tenants.
We've run a child care center for many years and would like to build a new one on land we purchased. I've been told I need a business plan but have never written one. HELP!
Your local Small Business Development Center, college business courses, or small business start-up/support organizations may be able to help you. However, the economics of child care operations pose unique challenges related to budgeting and marketing that are based on regulations (e.g. licensing and state funding) and local conditions (e.g. demand from target populations, competitors). We can help you analyze the local context, available and potential resources, and more to develop a solid, defensible plan.
I've heard you need a nexus study to require big developers to build child care. What's that and where can we find one?
A nexus study documents the relationship between types of future development project in a community and the fee to be charged, in this case, for creation of new child care spaces to meet increased demand from each development project. Your city/county must undertake such a study as a basis for requiring any development impact fees.
How can we get businesses, local governments, and stakeholders in child care to act as spokespeople for LINCC?
Understanding the economic value of child care to the local economy and its relationships to broader community development goals (e.g. employment and housing) are the basis for this type of support. While communicating these messages, engaging each sector in specific ways that considers its interests and perspectives is necessary. When your message becomes their message, you have a great spokesperson!
Are there good examples of child care centers in higher cost cities/regions? What about in rural areas?
Yes, the economics of child care facility development are different in different regions due to the cost of real estate (land or buildings), labor, etc. Our LINCC team members have worked on projects that have addressed these challenges-often requiring multiple solutions and funders. In rural areas, the land and development costs are less but other difficult conditions may exist, such as location in sparsely-populated areas, fewer funding sources, etc.
How can I receive more information about LINCC?
For more information, contact LINCC at info@lincc-childcare.com
