Childcare Ventures Project

The Childcare Ventures Program was formed in collaboration with Childcare Ventures, a child care project that provides outreach, education and business development assistance to Latino, monolingual family childcare providers.  El Pájaro CDC acts as micro-enterprise development partner for Childcare Ventures, providing business education and training workshops at no cost to child care providers at times and dates when child care providers are available.  We have worked in a flexible manner to help fill the business development needs of child care providers by offering training and consulting on evenings and weekends.

Why Offer Business Technical Assistance and Training to Childcare Providers?
There is a great need among child care providers for business education, training and technical assistance.  Childcare providers are often overlooked by business services and don’t receive the same standard of support as other types of businesses.  El Pájaro CDC seeks to fill this need by offering technical assistance and training through the Childcare Ventures Program.

How Does the Childcare Ventures Program Help?
El Pájaro CDC supports the sustainability of the child care sector by working in collaboration with child care provider organizations in Santa Cruz County like the Childcare Ventures Program.  Child care providers add to the local economy through job creation and tax revenue, and by directly supporting parents’ jobs.  We contribute by helping small business childcare provider entrepreneurs overcome barriers and limitations.  El Pájaro CDC also supported the creation of the Watsonville Childcare Providers Association, an organization that provides support to childcare providers in Watsonville and surrounding areas.  We offer this Association assistance in strategic marketing and planning and provides the facilities for them to meet on a regular basis.


Impact of the Childcare Ventures Program

  • Support for small business childcare providers
  • Support for working families that need childcare
  • Job Creation
  • Job Retention