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Child Care Wayfinder

Intro

Child Care Wayfinder is your free one-stop navigation network for starting and growing child care programs in Minnesota. Wayfinder offers personalized support and resources to help you succeed.

Services/Topics
Have questions?

Have questions?

Eligibility

Eligibility

Individuals considering starting a child care business, or those currently operating a family child care program or child care center.

Benefits

Benefits

Help navigating the process of starting a child care program and resources for existing programs, such as retention support, opening more locations, increasing license capacity or changing license type. 

Resources
Featured Image
Children in a circle holding hands and playing
More Information

Visit the Child Care Wayfinder website to learn more about the resources available for starting or expanding a licensed child care program. 

  • Starting a family child care program
    • Preparing your home and business
    • Applying for a license
    • Creating policies and procedures
    • Marketing your business.
  • Starting a child care center
    • Making a business plan
    • Finding a location
    • Navigating the licensing process
    • Staff training
    • Marketing your center
  • Strengthening your licensed child care program 
    • Maximize your marketing efforts and increase enrollment 
    • Organize your records and update your policies and contracts 
    • Strengthen business practices and access more funding 
    • Support ongoing professional development 
    • Address challenging behaviors and complex family situations
  • Expanding your licensed child care program 
    • Explore options for increasing your licensed capacity 
    • Understand requirements for changing a license type 
    • Plan for a second location or new site 
    • Review startup and expansion funding opportunities 
    • Conduct basic market demand research 
    • Strengthen your business plan for growth