Welcome. Future Child Care Business Owners

Learn More About Starting a Child Care Business with the Benefit of Prosper!

Are You Ready to Make Your Passion a Business?

  • Prosper is a new program intended to preserve and grow the number of family child care providers in Martin County. Individuals wishing to become child care professionals will have the opportunity to participate in a specially-designed, 24-month virutal training and development curriculum.
  • The program includes business development curriculum that is combined with business coaching and support services. Participants will go through the program together as a cohort. Prosper provides the tools and support to help you grow and differentiate your child care business.
  • Participation costs are funded through a generous grant from the Schmeeckle Foundation. Opportunities to participate in the cohort are limited. Interested individuals should submit an application by no later than January 15, 2021.

Program Benefits

As a program participant, you will receive:
  • Family Child Care Business Essentials Training
  • Child Development Instruction
  • Business Coaching and Bookkeeping Services
  • Access to Grant & Loan Programs
  • Marketing and Promotion
  • Technology (Laptop, Printer/Scanner)
  • Support and encouragement from your peers in the cohort; and introductions to other local early childhood education resources

Program Eligibility

To be eligible for the program you need:
  • Suitable space for providing child care. (Most people use a portion of their home. Grant and loan funds may be available to bring space up to code/compliance, if necessary.)
  • To undergo and pass Minnesota’s child care background check.
  • To complete an application to be considered for the program. Slots in the cohort will be awarded on a competitive basis.
  • Commit to operate your child care business for a period of three years after receiving your license.
Program Participation Commitments:
All candidates must be current residents of Martin County, MN. Commit to completing the 24-month virtual program;
Actively participate in and complete each scheduled virtual course and independent learning activity;
Achieve a star rating from the State of Minnesota’s Parent Aware program;

Get Started

All individuals interested in participating in this program are encouraged to complete the online application to be considered for the program. Click here to see more about the program!

If you'd like additional assistance, please reach out to the program lead: Gwen Lynch - gwenl@familiesfirstmn.org
Apply Now