Business Basics
What business decisions can I make today that will strengthen the long-term success and sustainability of my child care business?
The Business Basics section supports Orange County’s future, current, and expanding child care providers at every stage of their business journey. It brings together essential information for both Family Child Care Homes (FCCs) and Child Care Centers, offering practical tools to help providers start strong, operate successfully, and plan for long-term sustainability.
Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers each play a vital role in serving Orange County’s families. FCCs offer nurturing care in a home-based setting while operating as small businesses that are deeply rooted in local neighborhoods. Center-based programs provide care and early learning for larger groups of children, requiring strategic planning, strong leadership, and compliance with multiple business, licensing, and quality expectations. This section highlights the strengths of each business type while reinforcing their shared responsibility to provide high-quality care and early learning.
Across both subsections, providers will find guidance for launching, maintaining, or expanding their licensed program including business planning and budgeting, marketing and community engagement, staffing and human resources, zoning, , insurance requirements contracts and enrollment systems, financial management, tax responsibilities, and recordkeeping practices that support quality and compliance.
Whether you are opening your first business, transitioning from an FCC to a center, or expanding services to include infant and toddler care, the greatest unmet need in Orange County; You Don’t Have To Do This Alone! There are many resources to help you make business decisions today that lead to strong, stable, and successful child care programs for years to come.
Orange County offers a strong network of no-cost business and quality partners, including First 5 Orange County, Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Orange County Women’s Business Center (OC WBC), Children’s Home Society of California, Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children (OCAEYC), the Community for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Opportunities (CIELO), Quality Start OC, and others who are ready to walk alongside providers as they build and grow. These partners can support you with business planning, financial systems, human resource information, marketing, and quality improvement at every stage of your journey.
