Childcare
Advantage Valley Hosts Childcare Business Workshops Across Region
Advantage Valley hosted ten childcare start-up business workshops from March 2025 through January 2026, 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 were hosted in the following counties: Jackson County, Putnam County, Kanawha County, Boone County, Lincoln County, Clay/Braxton County, and Mason County.
These free workshops provided valuable resources for individuals interested in starting a childcare facility—whether in their home or a larger center—or expanding their existing operations. The childcare business workshops were supported by grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Watch the Childcare Grant Resource Webinar, recorded on January 20, 2026.
Priscila Borges Marques Dos Santos, Director
West Virginia Grant Resource Centers
304-533-5571
Tabatha Surface, Technica/Grant Writer & Information Systems Coordinator
West Virginia Grant Resource Centers
304-543-7432
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.