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Child Care Entrepreneur Fund

Family Child Care (FCC) providers are essential to Boston. The Childcare Entrepreneur Fund provides business training to FCC providers.

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Our goal is to expand high quality early education and care across Boston by helping FCC providers sustain and grow their business.

The Fund is open to both current Family Child Care providers, that are: 

  • Are in the community and actively engage families
  • Promote culturally responsive teaching
  • Support immigrant children, children of color, and children with special needs
  • May provide nontraditional work hours
  • Seek to meet cultural and linguistic preferences
  • Provide a smaller environment, which many families prefer

The Childcare Entrepreneur Fund will help FCC providers continue to meet the needs of Boston's children and families. Selected applicants will receive grant funding, coaching, and business training opportunities.

Attend a virtual info session

Are you interested in learning more about the Fund before you apply? 

Information session recordings:

You can watch the recording by following the links below:

ENGLISH        ESPAÑOL

Business resources

Resources
City of Boston, Small and Local Business

Common questions

Common questions

Applicants must live and have their family childcare business established in Boston.

You will receive the grant after you participate in six small business workshops with a cohort of other small childcare providers. Funds will be disbursed after the conclusion of the workshop series. 

Businesses are eligible for one $3,500 grant.

Yes, you may apply again. To ensure equitable access to funding, first-time recipients will be prioritized.

No, it is not required. New businesses may apply for a startup grant. You will need to submit proof of your application for a family childcare license from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. You do not need to be in operation already.

If you are an existing family childcare business, you may apply for a flexible grant. You will need to submit a copy of your license from the Department of Early Education and Care.

Startup grants and flexible grants are available to childcare entrepreneurs who operate a childcare business from their home (family childcare).

Funds can be used to cover costs related to the childcare business. They may include items like:

  •  personal protective equipment (PPE)
  •  disinfecting wipes and other cleaning supplies
  • toys or art supplies
  • investing in advertising for the business, 
  • procuring services, such as accounting or tax support, and
  • much more.

These are only some examples. Please reach out to us if you want to discuss your particular needs further before submitting your application.

Startup Small Grants and Flexible Grants:
  1. Preference for minority- and women-owned businesses
  2. Preference for businesses in Boston Housing Authority units
  3. Must present a plan for use of funds as part of application
  4. Commitment to serving two or more Boston Housing Authority or families using childcare vouchers.

No. You have to select the type of grant that best fits your business. Startup grants are for new family childcare businesses. Flexible grants are for existing family childcare businesses.

No. The Fund has limited funding. We will evaluate your application based on selection criteria and notify you if you have been selected to receive funding. We encourage all applicants to apply again in the next funding round if not awarded this time.

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