Business Resources for Providers

At the Department of Early Learning (DEL), we understand that as a licensed child care provider you not only care for children, but for your business too! There are many resources to help you plan, market and run your business. Here are just a few:

Childcare.gov: Your official source for all U.S. government child care information
www.childcare.gov
Information on small business development, education loan forgiveness programs, funding opportunities for child care programs and more.
The Internal Revenue Service Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
Information on business expenses, recordkeeping and more.
Doing Business in Washington
access.wa.gov/business
Information on starting a business in Washington, hiring and managing employees, and more. Links to other resources, including the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Small Business Center and the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Washington Small Business Guide
www.ora.wa.gov/business.asp
Outlines the steps for starting and operating a small business in Washington.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
Information on writing a business plan, marketing your business and more.
Washington Small Business Development Center
www.wsbdc.org
Information on writing a business plan, conducting market research, a start-up guide and more.

Washington State Child Care Facility Fund
www.commerce.wa.gov/ccff
The Washington State Child Care Facility Fund, managed by Washington State Department of Commerce in partnership with DEL, was created in 1991 to increase the availability of quality, affordable, convenient child care for working families by providing loans and grants to licensed child care centers, or centers in the process of becoming licensed. Loan funds may be used to start or expand a licensed child care facility; make capital improvements in an existing DEL-licensed child care facility; acquire personal property for a child care facility that is depreciable under federal tax code; purchase health and safety improvements or program equipment; or pay for operational costs for the first three months in a new child care facility.
Licensed family home child care providers are not eligible for this program, but may be eligible for other resources, including Child Care Micro Lenders.