In the United States, child care shortages are a pressing issue, with nearly half of all families living in child care deserts where there are three children for every one licensed child care slot. To meet the growing demand, the country would need to launch over 450,000 new child care programs by 2030【source: Center for American Progress】. The challenge is clear: how do we create more child care capacity to ensure every child has access to quality early education? Wonderschool can help. We're working with over 8 cities, counties, and states to bring more quality, licensed programs to every community including rural towns and high-growth regions.
The process of becoming a licensed child care provider is often overwhelming and isolating, especially for those who are passionate about providing quality care but lack the support to navigate complex regulations. Marcia Corniel, an experienced early childhood educator and behavioral therapist from Putnam Valley, New York, exemplifies this struggle. For 15 years, Marcia dreamed of starting her own home-based child care, but like many aspiring providers, she found the journey daunting and filled with barriers.
Marcia's desire to serve her community by opening a child care business was met with challenges common among many would-be providers: understanding state regulations, developing a business plan, and finding a support network. These hurdles often prevent skilled and motivated individuals from contributing to the child care ecosystem, further exacerbating the existing shortage.
“Starting a family child care can be a huge challenge. Wonderschool breaks things down into small steps, and the staff is always available to help you. Working with people who understand the business side of things has been fantastic. I've always wanted to start a child care, but do it right." - Marcia Corniel, Director, Discovery Nook Wonderschool
Recognizing these challenges, Marcia joined Wonderschool, a tech-driven platform that breaks down the barriers preventing qualified individuals from entering the child care industry. Through Wonderschool’s comprehensive support, Marcia gained the tools, resources, and confidence she needed to overcome her fears and turn her dream into reality.
In just 12 weeks, Marcia completed her licensing application and is now preparing to open Discovery Nook Wonderschool, her home-based preschool. Wonderschool’s support has equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to succeed, and has rolled several children on the Wonderschool Platform.
Marcia’s success story highlights the critical role that structured support and accessible resources play in enabling individuals to launch child care businesses. Government leaders have the opportunity to amplify this impact by partnering with Wonderschool to bring similar support to aspiring providers across the nation. Wonderschool’s SaaS technology offers a scalable solution that can streamline the licensing process, provide essential training, and foster community among child care providers.
By adopting Wonderschool's technology, states can significantly increase child care capacity, ensuring that more families have access to the quality care they need.
To learn more about how Wonderschool can help your state enhance child care access.
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