The Business of Child Care Start-Up
The Business of Child Care is an entrepreneurial training program for start-up child care providers located within the City of Pittsburgh, facilitated by the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University (CWE) in partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) and Invest PGH. Financial support provided by the PNC Foundation.
Through an application process, up to 15 startup child care providers located within the City of Pittsburgh will receive admission to The Business of Child Care, an intensive eight-week training program to launch child care businesses.
The Business of Child Care participants receive:- Tailored Child Care Curriculum
- One-on-one Coaching
- Entrepreneurial Education & Training through CWE
- One-year membership to CWE for immersive networking opportunities.
- Access to an additional $5,000 in funds through the Child Care Reinvestment in Business Program (CRiB) Forgivable Loan offered by Invest PGH.
- Located within the City of Pittsburgh Map
- Aspires to become a full-time child care provider
- For-Profit and Nonprofit organizations
- An entrepreneur who owns a majority stake in a child care business and is actively involved in the business's day-to-day operations.
- Willing to complete the eight-week training program
- Willing to complete interim and final program surveys
Upon completing the program, participants will be awarded a "Certification of Completion" and will be eligible to receive an additional $5,000 in forgivable loan funds through the Child Care Reinvestment in Business Program (CRiB) offered by Invest PGH. The CRiB program provides funds for licensed child care businesses and non-profits located within the City of Pittsburgh. Funding can be used for working capital, payroll, staff education, enrollment scholarships, equipment, and minor leasehold improvements. Priority is given to women and minority led child care centers, those that serve a high percentage of children receiving subsidies, and centers that demonstrate a strong financial need.
If course participants have not yet applied to CRiB, they are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 upon course completion. For CRiB borrowers that complete the Business of Child Care Program, $5,000 will be added to their forgivable loan. Learn more about CRiB here.
The Business of Child Care Program Timeline:- August 22, 2022: Applications Open.
- September 12, 2022: Applications Close.
- September 15, 2022: The Business of Child Care Start-Up Cohort Finalized & Notified.
- September 27, 2022: First Session for The Business of Child Care Start-up Program.
Selected applicants will participate in eight training sessions over eight weeks. Three sessions will be in-person at the Chatham University Eastside Building and five sessions online via Zoom. Applicants will expected to attend all the sessions.
Required: Zoom capable device and internet access to participate.
The Business of Child Care Start-Up Program will run on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM from September 27 to November 15, 2022. In-person sessions will be on September 27, October 18, and November 15.
- To view the syllabus for the Business of Child Care Start-up Program: Click Here.
The Business of Child Care program is funded with the support of The PNC Foundation.
Questions: Contact: Womens-Entrepreneurship@Chatham.edu or call 412-365-1253