Empowering Child Care Providers Across Iowa
The FCF Iowa Office is dedicated to increasing the supply and business sustainability of child care through business and financial training, coaching, consulting, and access to capital. We bolster the Iowa workforce and economy by helping communities find right-sized solutions through child care market analysis, strategic planning and financial modeling for new and expanding facilities.
How We Help Businesses
Ready to take your business to the next level? Not sure where to start? First Children’s Finance is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you're just beginning or looking to strengthen your business, we offer a range of trainings and other resources to help you succeed.
First Children’s Finance Business Leadership Cohorts (BLCs) are designed for child care business owners who want to enhance their business skills and mindset, strengthen day-to-day operations, and build strategies to sustain and grow their programs.
Get support planning day-to-day operations, shaping a strategic future, and understanding your financial position. First Children’s Finance works with you to assess your unique circumstances and navigate key business decisions with confidence.
FCF understands that even the passion and dedication child care providers have aren’t always enough to overcome every financial obstacle. That’s why the FCF Loan Fund — the only Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the country dedicated to child care — offers flexible, innovative financing to support child care entrepreneurs as they build and grow their businesses.
We know the challenges—and opportunities—of building child care systems outside urban areas.
How We Help Communities
FCF partners with communities to move from understanding the child care challenge to acting on it—through consulting services that analyze supply and demand, assess feasibility, engage stakeholders, and develop strategic, community-driven solutions to grow child care.
We use these survey results to inform our future programs and leaders of state and nonprofit agencies. You can read our summary of this year’s survey.
Explore Child Care Business Findings in Iowa
Learn more about the financial health, challenges, and experiences of Iowa child care businesses. Read the state report for local survey findings and explore the multistate analysis for a broader perspective across five states.
Meet the Iowa State Team
Sarah Minshull
Sarah Minshull is Director, Iowa and National
Dana Miller
Dana Miller serves as Business Development Specialist at First Children's Finance.