Interested in starting a child care business? OCCC program resumes April 6

NEWPORT – If the Lincoln County economy is to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s going to need more childcare providers to help take care of kids while their parents are working.

Oregon Coast Community College’s small business development center, with support from Northwest Oregon Works, launched its first four-part workshop for new child care businesses in October 2021. The workshop is designed to help launch new childcare businesses in Lincoln County and to help ensure their long-term success.

The program is resuming at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 at OCCC’s Newport campus, 400 S.E. College Way, and continues the following two Wednesday evenings

“In-home childcare can be a great fit – for example, for a parent who’d like to stay home with a child, and would like to contribute to meeting household expenses while offering the child the chance to socialize,” said workshop creator and facilitator, Misty Lambrecht. Lambrecht added that the lack of quality, affordable childcare in Lincoln County is often cited as a primary reason for the lack of workers available to local businesses.

“If this workshop can help launch even one home-based childcare business, that could mean as many as 10 workers could return to their jobs, secure in the knowledge that their children are safe and secure,” she said.

The childcare program features an in-depth session on regulations, finance, and licensing, led by instructors from Linn-Benton Community College. Participants will also register for an infant and child CPR/First Aid session. Another session will feature general information about business formation, operations, marketing, and finances, led by Lambrecht. The remaining session focuses on insurance and legal considerations.

The OCCC small business development center’s team of advisers is also available to provide free, confidential, one-on-one business advising to anyone who requests it, including those considering opening in-home childcare businesses.

Registration is $25 per participant with business partners welcome at no additional charge. Upon completion of the three classroom sessions and the first aid certificate, the $25 will be refunded by Northwest Oregon Works.

Registration is available now at the college’s small business development center’s website or by calling 541-996-6222.