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. Training Opportunities Or make sure to keep checking in on newly added opportunities here!

Business Leadership Cohorts

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. About Cohorts

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. Business Consulting

Infant and Toddler Capacity Building Grants

The Make Way for Kids Infant/Toddler Capacity Building Grant program for Vermont child care providers is made possible by funding from the Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department of Children and Families Child Development Division. The program supports projects that seek to create child care spaces for infants and toddlers in Vermont. To learn more about this program, you can review the grant guidelines or email vtgrants@firstchildrensfinance.org . (Please include your town/county when you email us!)

FCF understands that even the passion and dedication child care providers possess aren’t always enough to overcome all financial obstacles. 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. Loan Fund

Statewide Supply-Demand Gap Analysis

First Children’s Finance analyzes the supply of/demand for full-time child care in Vermont. This data informs statewide and regional investments and approaches to child care business sustainability. Read the 2026 report . Supplemental Reports: SDG Supplemental Characteristics of Preschool Capacity in Vermont SDG Supplement Estimating Afterschool Supply and Demand in Vermont SDG Supplement Part-Time Programs in Vermont

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. Communities

Empowering Child Care Solutions Across Vermont

The First Children’s Finance Vermont team builds stronger child care businesses and better communities. Our work is done in partnership with the State of Vermont, Let’s Grow Kids Action Network and other statewide agencies.

We help start, sustain, and grow child care businesses by providing business resources and access to capital. Business Resources – including expert consulting and training – are offered at no charge to child care entrepreneurs.

How We Help Businesses

How We Help Communities

Helping Lead the Way

Through strategic partnerships, targeted consulting, and community-focused support, the Vermont State Office is helping strengthen and expand child care across the state.

A young child stands on a wooden floor holding a yellow cup, surrounded by scattered toys and paintbrushes in a bright, sunlit room with brick walls and large windows.

$4.13M

Dispersed to Child Care Businesses

1,890

New Child Care Slots Created

1,294

PD Training Hours Provide

61%

of Vermont Programs Served

State of Vermont Child Care Business Survey

We use these survey results to inform our future programs and leaders of state and nonprofit agencies. You can download the slides from this presentation HERE.

This video will show more about the business of child care in Vermont in 2026.