The ECE Business Collaboratory
The ECE Business Collaboratory is a national initiative created by First Children’s Finance to help states strengthen and better coordinate their local child care systems. Launched in 2020, it brings state teams together around shared learning, innovation, investment, and implementation strategies to address persistent child care shortages and strengthen the small businesses that make up the child care industry.
Why bring states together to solve the child care crisis?
Our nation faces a child care shortage. Supply simply does not meet demand, and states are seeking actionable, customized solutions.
Child care is essential. The Collaboratory team seek to sustain and grow the field in a way that reflects the needs, communities, and assets of each state.
Child care is a powerful and complex business. It’s a $47 billion industry comprised of small independent businesses and small non-profit organizations, along with public institutions, as well as private, federal, state, local, and philanthropic funding.
The dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic inequities have exposed and exacerbated the crisis. State teams are ready to address this moment of crisis and ongoing complexities with innovation, action, and strategic thinking.
States are uniquely positioned to strengthen and coordinate local systems. States can ensure a sustainable supply of quality child care – and realize great ROI (16:1).
FCF noted the lack of dedicated space, resources, and opportunities states need to innovate, collaborate with, and learn from their counterparts.
We launched The Collaboratory explicitly to provide this – helping states move much more quickly and effectively to improve child care sustainability.
Our Work
The ECE Business Collaboratory helps teams understand and strengthen the systems that shape child care business success.
Our Impact
The ECE Business Collaboratory has supported 24 teams representing more than 50 organizations and agencies, providing 100+ hours of technical assistance. Teams are putting that work into action through state-specific solutions focused on financing, workforce, facilities, business support, and child care access.
Why Bring Tribal Nations Together?
The direct connection between some Tribal governments and their child care programs creates unique opportunities for custom child care solutions to meet local needs.
FCF noted the lack of dedicated space, resources, and opportunities states need to innovate, collaborate with, and learn from their counterparts.
We launched The Collaboratory explicitly to provide this – helping states move much more quickly and effectively to improve child care sustainability.