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 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
Cohort 2 | Central and Southern Illinois | 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.
Cohort 4 | Englewood and Surrounding Communities | Virtual
- Session 1: Saturday, October 24, 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
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
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 |
