Childcare
Advantage Valley to Host Childcare Business Workshops Across Region in 2025
Advantage Valley will host nine childcare start-up business workshops from March through November 2025, as part of its Fostering Advantages for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Resurgence in WV (FASTER WV) program.
The childcare business workshops, supported by grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, will begin in Jackson County. Click on the highlighted event to register!
Jackson County – March 6
Putnam County – April 10
Kanawha County – May 6
Boone County – June 17
Lincoln County – July 24
Clay/Braxton County – August 12
Wayne County – September 16
Cabell County – October 2
Mason County – November 18
These free workshops will provide valuable resources for individuals interested in starting a childcare facility—whether in their home or a larger center—or expanding their existing operations. Advantage Valley will host one session per month throughout 2025 across the nine counties it serves: Boone, Clay, Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne.
Each workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of key areas essential for starting a childcare business. Advantage Valley will lead the sessions, guiding participants through the business resources, technical assistance, and mini-grant opportunities available through the FASTER WV program. Additionally, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and Wonderschool, a private childcare development firm, will collaborate with Advantage Valley to share insights from Wonderschool’s childcare start-up resources. These resources include business coaching, website and financial management, and operational oversight, all designed to help childcare start-ups achieve long-term success.
Other partners attending to support aspiring childcare business owners include local health departments, which will review the food and facility permitting process; local childcare resource and referral agencies, which will outline the first steps in establishing a childcare business and available professional development opportunities; and fire marshals, who will provide key safety guidance for new childcare providers. Register here.
Advantage Valley Releases New Findings on Childcare Challenges and Opportunities in Region
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Advantage Valley
Start-Up Guides for Child Care Businesses in the Advantage Valley Region
Advantage Valley is pleased to offer aspiring entrepreneurs access to the following Start Up Child Care Guides.
The top row guides serve Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne Counties.
The bottom row guides serve Clay, Jackson, Kanawha and Roane Counties.
Childcare Homes
Childcare Facilities
Childcare Centers
Childcare Homes
Childcare Facilities
Childcare Centers
VALUABLE BUSINESS RESOURCE:
Start-Up Guides for Child Care Businesses
in the Advantage Valley Region
The early care and education (ECE) industry is essential to growing West Virginia’s economy. Access to ECE is an essential service and a key piece of our infrastructure. Its services allow families to work or go to school. Providers not only care for children and keep them safe; they also support their development and school readiness. ECE providers educate and prepare the next generation of workers, which directly impacts the size and quality of the future workforce.
*Thanks to the groups that contributed to the development of these startup guides, including the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, early care and education providers, KEYS 4 HealthyKids, West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics, The Ross Foundation, Appalachian Regional Commission, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and Advantage Valley—the original sponsor of the startup guides.
* Special thanks to the West Virginia Small Business Development Center for updating the guides for a wider audience.