CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) launched a new “Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business that Supports Business” initiative today. This project is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) POWER Initiative and is in partnership with the West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Office and private childcare development firm Wonderschool.
This initiative will increase access to affordable child care by establishing new profitable childcare businesses, helping existing childcare providers operate more efficiently and allowing employers to recruit and retain workers by offsetting childcare costs.
“We are thrilled to kick off this pilot program to help West Virginia employers to attract and retain childcare workers and improve career pathways for childcare workers for coal-impacted communities,” said Mike Graney, West Virginia Department of Economic Development Acting Secretary.
The project area for the pilot program will include eight coal-impacted counties: Boone, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Roane and Wirt.
The project will consist of two overarching objectives:
-
Establish a Childcare Business Assistance (CBA) program that includes:
-
Creating 40 new childcare providers
-
Providing business sustainability services and coaching to 50 existing childcare providers
-
-
Pilot a West Virginia Tri-Share program where child care costs will be shared between the employee (parent), the employer and the state.
“With our technology and coaching, we help launch new child care businesses and improve existing ones, ensuring they thrive and address West Virginia’s child care challenges. We’re particularly excited about the Tri-Share pilot, which we feel has the potential to change the way employers and parents think about child care costs,” said Chris Bennett, CEO and Founder of Wonderschool. “We’re thrilled to partner with the SBDC to tackle these critical issues for the state.”
The Childcare Business Assistance program has begun recruiting qualified candidates who are interested in establishing their own childcare businesses and speaking with existing childcare providers about receiving business coaching and support. The Tri-Share Pilot program is planned to launch in March 2025.
BACKGROUND:
About The West Virginia Small Business Development Center
WV SBDC is an accredited partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, which helps small businesses at all stages of development by providing no cost one-on-one coaching and connecting clients with additional resources and programs.
For more information about WV SBDC services and coaches, visit wvsbdc.com.
About Wonderschool
Wonderschool’s comprehensive technology and business support platform is designed to address every aspect of the childcare and early learning ecosystem. Wonderschool’s vision is to ensure that quality early care and education are conveniently accessible to every child within a 5-minute radius of their home. As leaders in collaborating with governments and employers, Wonderschool spearheads initiatives to scale and enhance childcare access for every community across the country. Learn more at www.wonderschool.com.