Building Better Business: Family Child Care Leadership Academy
Empowering FCC Professionals to Build Powerful and Profitable Businesses
Building Better Business (BBB) is a 4-month leadership academy for family child care (FCC) professionals at all stages of their journey. More than a training, BBB is a launchpad for those ready to strengthen their leadership and business practices with purpose. This academy offers 24 hours of expert-led, hands-on professional learning designed to help participants build and sustain a strong, high-quality family child care 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 the Englewood Community of Chicago | Sept – Dec 2025
- Online for central and southern Illinois | Dec 2025 – Mar 2026
- ¡Y llega esta primavera en Español! ENVIAR SOLICITUD
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
Cohort 1 Englewood and Surrounding Communities | Virtual
- Session 1: Saturday, September 27 | 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Session 2: Saturday, October 18 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Session 3: Saturday, November 22 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Session 4: Saturday, December 20 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
Location: Virtual via Zoom, preference given to applicants serving the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago and surrounding communities
Cohort 2 | Central and Southern Illinois Cohort | Virtual
- Session 1: Saturday, December 20 | 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Session 2: Saturday, January 24 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Session 3: Saturday, February 21 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Session 4: Saturday, March 21 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
Delivered via Zoom (link provided upon registration)
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.
Si es aceptado al programa, el costo será de 15 dólares, que debe pagarse para el 11 de marzo de 2026.
Meet your instructors
Associate Director, Family Child Care Professional Learning | (847) 947-5471| ywilliams9@nl.edu
Family Child Care Training Specialist | (847) 947-5195 | srichardson19@nl.edu
Manager of Administration Scale Training and Certification | (630) 874-4621 | ilanda@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 |
