Getting Started

Orange County offers no-cost and low-cost programs designed to help home-based child care providers start, sustain, and grow:

CIELO – Child Care Business Incubator

CIELO’s Child Care Business Incubator offers a virtual 6-week interactive program that supports future licensed FCC providers and those seeking Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) pathways. The program includes empowerment, licensing preparation, business development, and customer service skills, followed by ongoing navigation support to help launch licensed programs.

A partnership with First 5 Orange County and OCIE SBDC, this program builds trust-based relationships that help providers ignite passion and reach business ownership goals.

Training Includes:

How to start and operate a child care business from home
Business development, growth mindset, and customer service skills
Child care resources, partner connections, and necessary supplies
Licensing requirements, permits, and certifications
Professional pathway knowledge for long-term career growth

Services are offered in both English and Spanish, with live interpretation available.
Clickable Link + URL: https://cielocommunity.org

Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC)

offers no-cost, confidential advice and training to help child care entrepreneurs launch and sustain successful businesses in Orange County. Services are tailored to both Family Child Care Home (FCC) providers and Child Care Center owners, with a focus on:

Business plan development aligned with licensing requirements
Startup cost modeling, cash flow projections, and budgeting
Marketing strategies for enrollment growth
Support identifying capital funding opportunities (loans, grants)
Support with entity formation, business licenses, and compliance
One-on-One support throughout the licensing and build-out process

OCIE SBDC also partners with First 5 Orange County and CIELO to deliver child care business cohorts, which provide structured step-by-step guidance from business idea to launch. Cohorts include peer learning, resource navigation, and action planning to move confidently through each licensing milestone. https://ociesmallbusiness.org

Orange County Women’s Business Center (OC WBC) provides training and one-on-one coaching that helps women child care business owners build confidence, strengthen leadership, and create sustainable operations. Child care entrepreneurs benefit from:

Leadership and business mindset development
Human resources and operational systems
Financial literacy and tax documentation
Marketing and customer enrollment strategies
Guidance on connecting with small business supports and certifications

OC WBC co-facilitates child care business cohorts, specialized training for providers preparing to open a new FCC home, grow capacity, or consider transitioning to a center-based program. Learn more and join interest list: https://ocwbc.org

Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children (OCAEYC) Peer Guide Program connects future and current Family Child Care providers with experienced early educators who offer no-cost, personalized guidance through each step of starting, operating, or expanding a home-based child care business.

This program is funded by First 5 Orange County and sponsored by OCAEYC, ensuring access to professional support without financial barriers. Peer Guides help new providers build confidence and skills in:

Navigating the FCC licensing process
Understanding quality learning environments for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Embedding developmentally appropriate practice
Preparing for and participating in Quality Start OC
Creating strong communication and partnerships with families

Providers are encouraged to use the Peer Guide Toolkit, a growing collection of practical tools and resources that support:

Daily routines and transitions
Safety, supervision, and compliance
Curriculum and play-based learning
Family engagement strategies
Business readiness and professionalism

Through this trust-based mentorship approach, future providers receive encouragement, accountability, and a professional partner who celebrates milestones and helps troubleshoot challenges along the way particularly, when expanding services to meet the high demand for infant and toddler care in Orange County. To learn more about Peer Guide support: https://www.occaeyc.org

Next Cohort Planned: Spring 2026
OC WBC and OCIE SBDC along with support from First 5 Orange County and OCAEYC(Peer Guides) will host a Child Care Business Cohort includes 8 interactive sessions + 4 in-person Meet-Ups, designed to help future child care providers build confidence and complete the key business components needed to launch successfully.

Cohort Topics Include:

Orientation + Stipend Setup
Business Structure & Licensing Requirements (Peer Guide supported)
Start-Up Costs & Financial Projections
Marketing & Competition (Peer Guide supported)
Digital Presence & Branding (Peer Guide supported)
Business Plan Development
Partner & Community Resource Navigation (Meet-Up #3)
Family Engagement in Child Care (Peer Guide supported)
Graduation/Recognition Ceremony

In-Person Meet-Ups include:

Stipend information, Binder walkthrough and readiness check
Licensing form completion with support
Resource navigation with OC partners
Family care partnership strategies

This program is powered by a strong network of community partners OC WBC, OCIE SBDC, First 5 OC, CIELO, OCAEYC, Help Me Grow Orange County, Children’s Home Society of California, and Quality Start OC, all working together to uplift new child care entrepreneurs and help them grow successful programs for local families.

Dates will be announced on the OC WBC, CIELO and First 5 OC websites and social channels.

Why Join a Child Care Business Cohort for Future FCC Providers?

Child care business cohorts offer a clear, step-by-step path from idea to launch with expert guidance, personalized support, and the encouragement of peers who are learning and growing alongside you. As you move through licensing and business planning, cohorts help you stay confident, motivated, and connected to a community that understands the unique challenges and rewards of running a family child care business.

Many cohorts include ongoing navigation support, stipends or business materials, and are offered in English and Spanish to ensure every FCC provider has access to the knowledge and tools needed to open successfully, expand services, and thrive.

Use this quick-reference table to identify who to contact and what support to expect at each stage of development.

Resource Partner	Primary Role for Centers	Best Time to Engage	Key Supports for Centers
OCIE Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC)	Business planning & financing	Pre-application through expansion	Business plans, cash flow & cost modeling, capital access, entity formation, lease/expansion feasibility
OC Women’s Business Center (OC WBC)	Leadership & operations coaching	Start-up, transition, and growth	Leadership development, HR systems, budgeting & tax basics, marketing & enrollment strategies
Community Care Licensing (CCLD)	Licensing & compliance	Before application; ongoing	Orientation, center license application, inspections, compliance guidance
Local City Planning & Building Dept.	Zoning, permits, inspections	Site selection & build-out	Zoning verification, CUPs (if required), building & occupancy permits
Fire Authority	Life safety approval	Pre-licensure & remodels	Fire clearance, exit plans, capacity approvals
Children’s Home Society (R&R)	Referrals & subsidies	Pre-opening & operations	Provider listings/referrals, subsidy payment programs, admin tools, select trainings
Quality Start OC	Quality improvement	Post-licensure	Coaching, PD, quality assessments, improvement planning
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)	Facilities & financing	Planning, build-out, expansion	FCC facility loans, predevelopment support, facilities TA, capital for new or expanding centers