Building Better Business: Family Child Care Leadership Academy
Empowering FCC Professionals to Build Powerful and Profitable Businesses
Building Better Business is a focused leadership academy designed to help family child care professionals strengthen the foundation of their business operations. This academy offers 24 hours of expert-led, hands-on professional learning designed to help participants build and sustain a strong, high-quality FCC business. Participants gain practical tools, effective strategies, and a supportive professional network to strengthen their programs, make informed decisions, and confidently plan for long-term success.
BBB will be offered
- Online for central and southern Illinois | Dec 2025 – Mar 2026
- ¡Y llega esta primavera en Español! abril – julio de 2026
- Online for the Englewood Community of Chicago | Oct 2025 – Jan 2026 | Notify me when the application opens
What’s Included
- 24 hours of professional development
- Aligned with Illinois’ Family Child Care Credential
- All learning materials provided (books, resources, etc.)
- Guidance from FCC business experts
- A support network of fellow providers
Our 4-Session Curriculum
Your Place in History
Explore FCC—Past, Present & Future
Celebrate your role in a proud profession and envision what’s next.
Tackling Technology
Boost Business with Digital Tools
Learn practical ways to save time and stay organized.
Your Financial Roadmap
Set Goals. Make a Plan. Grow with Confidence.
Build a clear path to long-term business success.
The Future Starts Now
Business Plan Basics
Craft a mission, plan for growth, and prepare for the future.
Cohort Schedule & Session Times
Cohorte 3 | Comunidad de La Villita 2026 | Virtual
- Sesión 1: Sábado, 4 de abril de 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Sesión 2: Sábado, 2 de mayo de 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Sesión 3: Sábado, 6 de junio de 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Sesión 4: Sábado, 11 de julio de 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Ubicación: Virtual por Zoom, con preferencia para los solicitantes que sirven al vecindario de La Villita en Chicago y las comunidades cercanas.
Cohort 4 | Englewood and Surrounding Communities | Virtual
- Session 1: Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Session 2: Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Session 3: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Session 4: Saturday, January 23, 2027 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
Location: Virtual via Zoom, preference given to applicants serving the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago and surrounding communities
Applications open August 3, 2026, and close August 28, 2026.
Meet your instructors
Associate Director, Family Child Care Professional Learning | (847) 947-5471| ywilliams9@nl.edu
Professional Learning Training Specialist, Family Child Care | (847) 947-5195 | srichardson19@nl.edu
Manager of Administration Scale Training and Certification | (630) 874-4621 | ilanda@nl.edu
Bilingual Professional Learning Training Specialist, Family Child Care | (630) 874-4039 | cpatino9@nl.edu
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| Number | First Name | Last Name | Email Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anne | Evans | anne.evans@mail.com |
| 2 | Bill | Fernandez | bill.fernandez@mail.com |
| 3 | Candice | Gates | candice.gates@mail.com |
| 4 | Dave | Hill | dave.hill@mail.com |
