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COVID-19 Child Care Business Resources

Self-Help has developed a set of easy-to-adopt financial tools and considerations to help child care programs navigate today’s (and tomorrow’s) unprecedented financial uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explore the tools below to learn more! If you do not have Microsoft Excel, download using Google Sheets. For tips on accessing Google Sheets, click here.

Like what you see? Check back for more opportunities to bolster your child care business skills

Want to share feedback? Email us at childcare@self-help.org.

Want more help as you work through these tools? Contact your local SmartStart partnership or Small Business Center.

List of Tools available

  1. Crisis Management Budget (worksheet, guide, video)
  2. Scenario Planning (worksheet, guide, video)
  3. Communicating Safety (guide, videos)
  4. Evaluating Demand (guide, videos)
  5. Child Care Management System Tip Sheet
  6. Additional Resources

 

Crisis Management Budget

This short-term budgeting tool is a great starting point to help you plan for the next six months and monitor the health of your bank account. Never worked on a budget before? That’s ok! Follow along with step-by-step instructions, or watch our video tutorial.

 

Budget: Click to download (Excel) (Google Sheet)

Crisis Management Budget Screenshot

Guide: Click to download the step-by-step instructions (PDF)

Childcare-crisis

Video Tutorial: See the video below to walk through a tutorial.

 

 

 

Scenario Planning

After filling out the Crisis Management Budget, use the Scenario Planning tool to ask and answer questions around changing enrollment and income.

 

Scenario Planning Tool: Click to download (Excel) (Google Sheet)

Scenario Planning Screenshot

Guide: Click to download the step-by-step instructions (PDF)

Childcare-scenario

Video Tutorial: See the video below to walk through a tutorial.

 

 

 

Communicating Safety

Communication is key, particularly in a time with evolving health and safety guidelines. See below for suggestions for how to effectively communicate with parents (and staff) about safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Communicating Safety Worksheet (2 pages): Click to download (PDF)

Childcare-communicating

 

Child Care Perspective (Center): See the video below to hear from a child care center about how they are communicating safety.

 

Check back soon to hear from a child care home and how they are communicating safety.

 

Evaluating Demand

Enrollment (and revenue) has and will continue to fluctuate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use this guide to think through how and when demand for child care changes, who needs your services, and how to think about increasing enrollment and income.

 

Guide: Click to download (PDF)

Evaluating-childcare

Child Care Perspective (Center): See the video below to hear from a child care center about how they are evaluating demand.

Check back soon to hear from a child care home and how they are evaluating demand.

Child Care Management System Tip Sheet

Child Care Management Systems can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend on daily tasks. This tip sheet answers some of the frequently asked questions about why to implement a Child Care Management System.

Tip Sheet: Click to download (PDF)

CCMS Tip Sheet

Additional Resources

Check out these additional resources for child care businesses navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCDHHS Coronavirus Information for Child Care

North Carolina Small Business Center

CDC Supplemental Guidance for Child Care

ChildCare Aware COVID-19 Assistance Center

First Children’s Finance Business Resources Centers

 

 

Disclaimer: Material and links provided by Self-Help on this website are intended for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or finance advice or professional services. Readers seeking professional advice about specific aspects of their business should consult a qualified professional.