Building Better Business
Family Child Care Leadership Academy
Building Better Business: Family Child Care Leadership Academy
Empowering FCC Professionals to Build Powerful and Profitable Businesses
Building Better Business (BBB) 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 the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago and surrounding communities, October 2026 - January 2027.
What’s Included
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24 hours of professional development
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Aligned with Illinois’ Family Child Care Credential
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All learning materials provided (books, resources, etc.)
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Guidance from FCC business experts
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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 4 | Englewood and Surrounding Communities | Virtual
| Session | Format | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Virtual | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM |
| Session 2 | Virtual | Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Session 3 | Virtual | Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Session 4 | Virtual | Saturday, January 23, 2027 | 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Session | Format | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Virtual | 9/8/26 | 9:00 am – 11:30 am |
| Session 2 | In-person | 9/10/26 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Session 3 | In-person | 10/8/26 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Session 4 | In-person | 11/12/26 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Professional Development Coaching | Virtual | 12/1/26 | 10:00 am – 12:00 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.
Cohorte 5 | Comunidad de La Villita 2027 | Virtual
| Session | Format | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sesión 1 | Virtual | Sábado, 6 de febrero de 2027 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
| Sesión 2 | Virtual | Sábado, 6 de marzo de 2027 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. |
| Sesión 3 | Virtual | Sábado, 3 de abril de 2027 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. |
| Sesión 4 | Virtual | Sábado, 15 de mayo de 2027 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. |
| Session | Format | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Virtual | 9/8/26 | 9:00 am – 11:30 am |
| Session 2 | In-person | 9/10/26 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Session 3 | In-person | 10/8/26 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Session 4 | In-person | 11/12/26 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Professional Development Coaching | Virtual | 12/1/26 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Ubicación: Virtual por Zoom, con preferencia para los solicitantes que sirven al vecindario de La Villita en Chicago y las comunidades cercanas.
Meet your instructors
Professional Learning Training Specialist, Family Child Care | (847) 947-5195 | srichardson19@nl.edu
Bilingual Professional Learning Training Specialist, Family Child Care | (630) 874-4039 | cpatino9@nl.edu
Associate Director, Family Child Care Professional Learning | (847) 947-5471| ywilliams9@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 |
