Building Better Business

Family Child Care Leadership Academy

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Empowering FCC Professionals to Build Powerful and Profitable Businesses

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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.


El programa BBB se ofrecerá en línea y completamente en español para el vecindario de La Villita de Chicago y las comunidades locales, desde febrero a mayo de 2027.

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

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Your Place in History
Explore FCC—Past, Present & Future
Celebrate your role in a proud profession and envision what’s next.

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Tackling Technology
Boost Business with Digital Tools
Learn practical ways to save time and stay organized.

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Your Financial Roadmap
Set Goals. Make a Plan. Grow with Confidence.
Build a clear path to long-term business success.

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The Future Starts Now
Business Plan Basics
Craft a mission, plan for growth, and prepare for the future.

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Cohort Schedule & Session Times

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.

Ubicación: Virtual por Zoom, con preferencia para los solicitantes que sirven al vecindario de La Villita en Chicago y las comunidades cercanas.


Nota Importante: Este cohorte y las sesiones se llevarán a cabo completamente en español.

Meet your instructors

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Shuntae Richardson

Professional Learning Training Specialist, Family Child Care | (847) 947-5195 |  srichardson19@nl.edu

Camila Patiño

Bilingual Professional Learning Training Specialist, Family Child Care | (630) 874-4039 | cpatino9@nl.edu

Yvonne Williams

Associate Director, Family Child Care Professional Learning | (847) 947-5471|  ywilliams9@nl.edu

Isabel Landa

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