Oct 07

We all know the crucial role child care providers play in society.  We also know that it takes a special person capable of giving so much with so little in return.  This week, the country was made privy to just how much our daycare providers give to those left in their care.  Keep reading for some of the latest national statistics and a peek into what you, as a child care provider, can expect in the coming months.

According to the National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies, there are more than 11 million children under the age of 5 who spend the lion’s share of their waking hours with someone besides his or her mother.  That someone is most often the child care provider.  In fact, on average, each of those little ones Mom trusts you with spends approximately 36 hours with you.  Not only that, but there’s a good chance you’re not the only one Mom and Dad rely on to ensure the safety and well being of their children.  With so many industries that exist on an “around the clock” environment, some parents rely on others, including grandparents and neighbors, to help out when they’re working the late shift.

If you routinely care for children whose families are low income, it could be those meals and snacks you provide are the closest they get to a nutritious meal each day.  It’s not that parents don’t care or don’t pay attention to what their children are consuming; it’s more likely due to a combination of tough economic times and parents who might be working two or more jobs just to keep the bases covered with very little time left to shop for groceries.  Then, of course, there are still 14.5 million Americans who are out of work with another 7 million who are only working part time because those are the only available jobs.  Most child care providers know all too well losing a child they’ve grown to love because families can no longer afford to pay for your services.

This is why it’s so important to ensure your families are made aware of the many programs that will allow them to continue to leave their children with you versus other less safer options.  For instance, one woman, who worked in a mall, could no longer afford daycare for her young daughter.  She had no choice but to leave her in the car while she worked.  She was able to check on her every hour, but that’s an incredibly dangerous situation that could have easily resulted in tragedy.

If you’re wondering if new programs parents are able to take advantage of won’t be compatible with your Alpha Cares software, you’ll be surprised to learn the transition is a breeze as we’ve built in all of the requisite “must haves” these programs require.  Visit the AlphaCares.com site for more information and for a compilation of recent newspaper headlines and stories from across the country, visit the NACCRA Organization’s website here.  You’ll also discover links that will take you to the various programs in place to help families who are struggling, but need to ensure the safety of their children as they set out to look for new employment.

Do you have a story to tell?  Drop us a line – we’d love to hear from you and some of the hurdles you have overcome in your child care business.

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May 19

In the past, we’ve told you about the many programs available for child care providers who wish to grow their businesses, make structural improvements or incorporate new technology and billing methods.  Today, Alpha Cares is going to provide a bit of insight you need to know as you prepare your grant proposal application.  As you might expect, organization is key to ensuring a streamlined process that will ensure you’re not losing time due to missing elements required in the package proposal.

Also, it’s important to keep in mind each grant has its own specifications that you will need to address; however, these guidelines below are universal and are required in every application, regardless of who is funding the grant.  Now’s an ideal time for child care providers to apply for these funds and here’s how, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

  • Before an application can be reviewed by the Department of Health  & Human Services, which is the primary funding source, you will need to provide a DUNS number.  You can visit dunandbradstreet.com for more information on securing a DUNS.
  • Remember that those who are reviewing your application may not be familiar with the child care industry; therefore, the clearer your application, the less the odds become of it getting lost in translation.
  • Take notice of deadlines! This is important since many child care small business owners assume there are no deadlines, which is inaccurate.  Even if you are filing electronically, don’t assume you can wait until the last minute.  You’re only complicating matters for yourself if you frantically attempt to beat the deadlines.
  • Read the instructions in the grant application package.  That can’t be stressed enough – you must have a complete understanding of every aspect so that you can provide the specifics required.
  • Do your homework – that means you need to have an understanding of the industry.  A well researched and carefully planned grant application gets noticed.  Remember, you’re doing this to better the lives of those little ones you care for.  The better prepared you are, the better the experience for the children.

With so many new federal and state guidelines that regulate the child care industry, it’s important to stay focused and always ensure you’re in compliance.  Be sure to visit the AlphaCares.com website, too.  It’s chock full of solutions and ideas for keeping your billing accurate and organized.  Finally, for more information on filing your grant application electronically, visit the Grants.gov resources page found here.

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Feb 17

It can be difficult to practice good nutritional habits in a child care setting if for no other reason, most little ones come in with snacks from home that are sometimes not so healthy.  When Alpha Cares researched best practices for child care centers, we discovered that many chose not to undertake the various food programs due to the hassle of tedious and necessary reporting. However, owners and management never sacrificed food and nutrition value in their preparation of daily children meals. Our conclusion: nutrition was second only to safety in a child care provider setting.

There are many ways, however, that child care facilities can take it a step further and provide children an opportunity to learn those important healthy eating habits.  Not only that, but there is a significant amount of money, courtesy of the stimulus plan, that is earmarked for child care providers of all sizes and in every state.  These funds are being made available for community food projects, including the national “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative and even those child care providers who want to start a garden on site can qualify for these funds.  What better way to teach a child good nutrition while also giving them perhaps their first opportunity to play a role and nurture a garden that will yield fruits and veggies?  Depending on your region of the country, you could easily turn a small plot of land (along flower beds, fence lines in the play area, etc) into:

  • A tomato patch
  • An herb garden (also ideal for window sills)
  • A Strawberry patch
  • Even fruit trees (although they those children who plant them won’t reap the benefits, they will still marvel at how “their” tree is growing)

The possibilities really are endless.  These are the perfect ideas for getting the little ones out after a cold winter and once the summer months begin, they will be able to see what a little patience and tiny little green thumbs can produce.  It instills teamwork and provides an ideal opportunity to reiterate the importance of eating healthy.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the many grants and programs available, visit the Department of Agriculture’s Food, Nutrition & Health page.  It has many great tips and of course, information on qualifying  and applying for any of the stimulus funds.  Rest assured, the Alpha Cares team stands ready to show you how easy a seamless transition can be with any of the grants or government programs.  Contact us today!

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Dec 29

As any small business owner can tell you, the availability of grants can sometimes mean the difference between a successful business and one that fades away before it even has the chance to get off the ground.  For child care providers, it’s important to stay current in the latest technology and other advances to ensure you remain competitive in the daycare business sector.  You might be surprised to learn there are grants available that can play a significant role in your child care business.

Obtaining financial assistance doesn’t have to be a difficult process that keeps you from the day to day operations.  Knowing where to look is key.  The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is a great place to start.  With information on everything from an all-inclusive fundraising director to tutorials designed to help you write an effective grant proposal, this site has it all.  And the best part?  It doesn’t cost you a dime to explore the possibilities.  It even offers publications available for downloading or .pdf versions you can access online without having to download a copy.  Keep reading for some of the best information Alpha Cares found.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, or CFDA, is a one stop source for all things related to small business owners.  You’re provided information on agencies that stand ready to help smaller daycare centers, including those that operate in a home.

The government’s grants website is another source that’s chock full of information about grants and other funding opportunities many are simply not aware of.  An especially helpful frequently asked questions section sheds even more light on obtaining federal grants.

Looking for ideas for after-school programs?  Visit AfterSchool.gov for information on grants to tips for making your time count with those children you may not see every day until after school.

Finally, if you’ve not yet opened a child care center but are considering it, you owe it to yourself to check out the Starting a Child Care Center e-book.  It is geared towards those interested in opening a child care program in rural areas, but it’s useful for anyone who’s considering an in-home daycare setting.

These are just a few of the many resources available to those in the child care industry.  Check back often as we add to our list of helpful sites and information on grants and other financial sources.

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