Empowering Educators, Transforming Communities
The Impact of Our Child Care Incubator on Black Educators
Our Child Care Business Incubator is making a profound impact on the Black community in San Francisco, and the results speak volumes. Through our unwavering commitment to supporting Black and African-American family child care providers, we have fostered a vibrant community of educators dedicated to nurturing the next generation. Our initiatives have led to the establishment of 20 new businesses, empowering 100+ existing micro-entrepreneurs to thrive in their journeys.
Research shows that when Black children under five have one or more Black caregivers and educators in their lives, their long-term success in school and in life is boosted. Our evidence-based theory of change is simple:
The heartfelt stories of resilience, growth, and transformation echo the impact of our support. Educators have turned challenges into opportunities, creating safe and enriching spaces for families in need. Each child care slot opened represents not just a service but a brighter future for the children and families we serve. This demonstrates that when we invest in our educators, we cultivate a legacy of care that strengthens our entire community.
Our dedication has sparked innovation and growth within this sector. 20 new home-based child care businesses have come online, with the support of our training, technical assistance and start-up grants of $10,000 per business. In addition, we awarded 17 Family Child Care Businesses a $5,000 Business Improvement Grant—totaling $85,000—to provide quick access to capital for essential facility improvements in May 2024. And, in February 2023, 88 participants received a $4,000 home office mini-grant to allow them to make improvements to their administrative working spaces. Through these and other various grants and stipends aimed at reducing barriers to entry for aspiring providers, we are actively addressing challenges such as housing insecurity and high cost of living in the city.
Training opportunities have included topics such as insurance, taxes, financial planning, licensure, contracts and marketing, in addition to fundamentals of child development and quality care standards, particularly for children with disabilities.
Last Spring, we also were able to honor 21 Legacy Child Care Providers who have successfully run their businesses for decades—community members who have set an amazing example of commitment to caring for our city’s children and families. It’s clear that we are creating more than just an initiative; it’s a movement towards empowerment for our Black community. The impact of this work will continue to resonate throughout our community as we inspire others to rise together in support of one another.
Our Child Care Business Coaches have been at the heart of this initiative, providing tailored support and technical expertise to help family child care providers navigate the complexities of launching and growing their businesses. With their dedication and cultural competence, they have guided providers through licensing, facility improvements, and business planning, while fostering meaningful connections within the community. Their hands-on coaching and mentorship have been instrumental in addressing barriers such as housing insecurity and high costs of living, ensuring that Black and African American child care providers have the tools they need to succeed. The coaches’ efforts are a testament to the transformative power of investing in educators and uplifting families across San Francisco.
Together, we’re building not just businesses but also hope—a brighter future for all involved. By increasing the number of Black and African American early childhood educators offering nurturing care to infants and toddlers in San Francisco, we know that we will see better outcomes for those children, and that they will arrive ready for kindergarten and ready for life.
By empowering Black and African American child care providers with the resources and support they need, we can help close the gaps in access to high-quality early education and care for children in these communities. This investment is essential for ensuring that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and culturally responsive environment, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and vibrant San Francisco.
Our Black Early Childhood Education Achievement Initiative, and the Incubator Team’s impact specifically, has been funded by many generous donors to Children’s Council. Special thanks to the Bainum Family Foundation, as well as the Dream Keeper Initiative, in partnership with the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development and the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood for their support of the Incubator’s work in the African American community.
The Incubator serves people of any background throughout California, and is a signature program in our BizNest suite of services that we offer to child care business owner and early educators. We are currently seeking new funders to support an exciting expansion of this work: in 2025, we will launch a next set of offerings for our community to build the capabilities of educators with our Family Friend & Neighbor Pathways pilot project.
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