Managing a child care business from your home can be a rewarding career. It allows you to have time at home with your own children while making a positive impact on the growth and development of all the children in your care.

There is a demonstrated need for quality licensed child care in our area. This is especially true for infants and toddlers and for families who work non-standard hours.

If this profession interests you, we have many resources to help. Explore our website and then contact us at 527.4333 or michelle.meyer@wwcc.edu

Steps to Becoming Licensed

1. Attend a Division of Child Care & Early Learning Orientation. DCCEL is the state agency that licenses both family child care homes and child care centers in Washington. See their website for full information. http://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/dccel

Location: Walla Walla Community College, Room 185C
Times: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Dates: February 18, 2003
May 20, 2003
August 19, 2003
November 18, 2003
Reservations: Call 509.737.2809 to reserve your space at Orientation.

2. Get Ready: Gather Needed Documentation

1. Create a parent contract that contains your policies and procedures as well as your discipline policies. CCR&R has software that can help you develop this important document.
2. Complete the application given out at Orientation.
3. Provide 3 character references.
4. Submit to a Washington State criminal background check.
5. Documentation of a negative TB test.
6. Completion of HIV/AIDS training.
7. Completion of pediatric first aid and CPR.
8. Submit above documentation with resume’ and transcripts to DCCEL along with $24.00 license fee.

3. Get Set: Prepare Your Home

1. Ensure that your home meets minimum licensing requirements. CCR&R can help with a home visit and consultation that will help you ready your home and your child care program.
2. Allow DCCEL and the fire department to inspect your home for safety.
3. Complete 20 hours of basic child care training within six months of becoming licensed. This training is available from WWCC in January and July. STARS website: https://wws2.wa.gov/dshs/stars/

4. Go: Congratulations!

1. You are well on your way to enjoying an exciting new profession! Once you receive your license, you will be entitled to all the services CCR&R provides. Please see our provider pages to explore these resources.
2. See The Washington State Child Care Resource and Referral Network http://www.childcarenet.org/becoming%20licensed.htm Becoming a Provider Page for more information.

Facility Funding

1. Cascadia Revolving Fund
a. Cascadia’s Child Care Fund provides low-interest loans and technical assistance to family child care homes and child care centers throughout Washington State. Through the Child Care Fund, Cascadia strives to:

1. increase the number of child care slots,
2. improve the quality of child care,
3. increase the number of jobs in communities,
4. increase the income of child care business owners and employees and,
5. assist providers in building economic assets.

2. Child Care Micro-Loans –
There are child care micro loan funds available throughout the state. The interest rate varies from 6% to 9% depending on the lender. Most lenders have loans up to $5,000 for child care homes and up to $25,000 for child care centers.

Contact:

Monica Jackson
Family Development Coordinator

Benton Franklin Community Action Council
720 W Court Street Pasco, WA 99301
509.545.4042 or 800.583.1112 ext. 219
mjackson@bfcac.org

3. Child Care Resource & Referral Mini-grants
a. Through the Retention and Recruitment project, WWCC CCR&R has some funding available to child care providers to help them meet minimum licensing requirements. The mini-grants are limited to $500.00 per provider and must be approved by the DCCEL licensor. For information contact CCR&R at 509-527-4333 or michelle.meyer@wwcc.edu

4. The Child Care Facility Fund
This fund provides loans and grants to child care businesses to start or expand child care facilities. Loans and grants must be approved by a board comprised of child care and financial experts. As of Sept 1, 2002, there are no grant funds available until July 2003. For an on-line application form go to: www.oted.wa.gov/ed/businessassistance/ go to the "what's new" section. For further assistance, contact: Gail Gosney, Employer Liaison, P.O. Box 48300, Olympia, WA 98504-8300, 360.725.4034, 360.586.0873 (fax), E-mail: gailg@cted.wa.gov

SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

1. Community Service Office
CSO's are the local offices that provide many DSHS services. You can contact your local CSO for information on help for paying for child care, public assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, emergency needs, or how to contact other DSHS programs in your community.

1. Walla Walla & Columbia County CSO
   529.0406
   416 E Main
   Walla Walla, WA 99362
2. Garfield County CSO
   509.758.5537
   525 5th Street
   Clarkston, WA 99403