Create Child Care Options Where Families Need It Most

Affordable, high-quality child care is essential for economic stability, yet over half of Americans live in "child care deserts," where demand far exceeds supply. This shortage forces many parents, especially mothers, to leave the workforce, stalling economic growth in entire communities.

Across the nation, underutilized properties offer a practical answer to this challenge. Transforming these spaces into child care centers can quickly expand access to much-needed services. The stakes are high: child care shortages cost the U.S. economy $122 billion annually in lost productivity and revenue. This guide provides actionable steps to mobilize resources and create meaningful change for families in need.

To Get Started:

• Step 1: Assess Community Needs and Resources

  • Conduct a Needs Assessment: Evaluate the community's demand for child care. Survey your congregation to determine their interest, preferred hours, and viable pricing options. Research local demographics and existing child care services to identify gaps in availability. Note long waitlists at other centers as evidence of unmet need.

  • Evaluate Your Resources: Take inventory of your faith community's assets. Assess available spaces, such as unused classrooms or halls, for their suitability and necessary renovations. Identify members with professional skills in fields like finance, law, or education who may be willing to volunteer time and expertise to a steering committee. Finally, review your organization's financial standing to determine if seed money is available for initial planning and fees.

• Step 2: Develop a Business Plan

  • Define Your Program: Create a mission statement that reflects your center's purpose. Decide on an educational philosophy and program structure. Based on projected enrollment and state-mandated staff-to-child ratios, create a staffing model with clear job descriptions.

  • Create a Detailed Budget: Your budget must cover both startup costs and ongoing operational expenses.

    • Startup Costs: Include licensing fees, renovations, playground equipment, classroom furniture, and initial supplies.

    • Operating Expenses: Account for staff salaries and benefits, utilities, insurance, food costs, and administrative expenses.

• Step 3: Secure Funding and Ensure Compliance

  • Fund Your Center: Use your congregation’s strengths to launch fundraising campaigns, identify and apply for grants, and seek support from local businesses and organizations. Assign volunteers to research grants, draft applications, and leverage skills in finance or communication to strengthen your proposals.

  • Meet Legal and Licensing Standards: Involve volunteers in the legal process. Have them gather information from licensing agencies, manage documentation, and coordinate with city officials on zoning or safety codes. Ask members with legal backgrounds to review documents and assist in establishing the proper legal structure for your center.

  • Tuition: Set tuition using your budget and market research. Offer scholarships or sliding-scale fees so families at every income level can attend.

• Step 4: Prepare the Facility and Build Your Team

  • Prepare the Facility: Update your facility to meet all license requirements. Complete renovations, install child-safe fixtures, and secure outdoor areas. Put volunteers to work on renovations and furnishing classrooms with age-appropriate materials, cutting costs and ensuring quality.

  • Recruit Staff and Volunteers: Your team is the core of your program.

    • Hire Qualified Staff: Recruit a director and teachers who meet or exceed state qualification requirements and share your center's mission.

    • Engage Volunteers: Your congregation is a valuable source of support. Volunteers can assist with classroom activities, facility maintenance, and administrative tasks. Ensure that all volunteers undergo thorough background checks and receive comprehensive training on their roles and safety protocols. While they cannot replace qualified lead teachers, their support is vital to your mission.

    • Conduct Training: Provide all staff and volunteers with comprehensive training on your curriculum, safety procedures, and emergency protocols. Ongoing professional development is essential for maintaining a high-quality program.

Examples of Best Practices / Innovative Programs:

1. The Faith-Based Child Care Study in Michigan identified over 1,200 faith-based child care providers, many of which operate in religious facilities but do not necessarily include faith-based curricula. These centers focus on providing quality care and community support while maintaining a secular approach to education.

2. Bipartisan Policy Center Report highlights faith-based child care programs that operate on religious properties but offer secular curricula. These centers prioritize trust, safety, and quality care, catering to diverse family needs without religious instruction.

3. MCE Mosque Child Care Center, located in Edmonton, Alberta, is a licensed child care center that has been operating since 2014. It provides a play-based learning environment and emphasizes partnerships with parents and the community.

4. Masjidullah Early Child Care Academy (MECCA), located in Philadelphia, PA, is a Keystone 4-Star-rated Islamic childcare facility. It offers programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, emphasizing Islamic values, Montessori-based learning, and halal meals.

5. The Child Development Center of The First Congregational Church of Branford, Connecticut, provides licensed child care and preschool programs for children aged six weeks to six years. With a focus on school readiness, activities include arts and crafts, sensory play, literacy, and outdoor exploration. The center also supports children with special needs and offers bilingual services in English and Spanish.

6. Faith Preschool and Community Child Care, located in Lafayette, Indiana, offers a range of programs, including infant care, preschool, and before- and after-school care. They focus on nurturing children’s physical, mental, and emotional development in a Christ-centered environment.

7. Immanuel Lutheran Church, School & Child Care, based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, provides year-round child care, Sunday school, and Christian education. They integrate faith-based values with innovative educational programs.

8. Temple Etz Chaim Early Childhood Education Center, located in Conejo Valley, California, offers infant care, toddler programs, and preschool services. It focuses on creating a second home for children, fostering love, laughter, and learning.

9. Central Synagogue Early Childhood Center, located in New York City, offers programs for children from birth to age five. It integrates Jewish values, traditions, and rituals into its enriching educational experiences.