MN Business Leadership Cohort Program - Child Care Centers
The Business Leadership Cohort program from First Children’s Finance provides child care center program leaders the opportunity to learn the basics of business related to their child care program. The program includes four group cohort sessions and two individual consultations over 3-4 months. Upon completion, participants will receive the Business Leadership Credential.
Location- Online
Date- Spring 2026
Cost- Free
Cohort Training Sessions and Consultation Topics
Child Care Centers
NEW! To provide hands-on assistance to groups of child care entrepreneurs, First Children’s Finance convenes Business Leadership Cohorts that bring together similar-sized child care businesses in a peer group and match the group with FCF-led training, consultation, coaching, and technical assistance.
| Date | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| October 5 | 1PM-4PM | Session 1: The first session provides an overview of the child care industry from a business perspective and lets participants explore enrollment management and how it affects operations. Participants examine the keys to developing an engaging marketing message. |
| October 19 | 1PM-4PM | Session 2: Understanding and managing the finances of a child care operation is critical to long-term viability and sustainability. Participants learn the basics of finance and financial statements. |
| Scheduled Individually | Individual Consultation: Financial Analysis | |
| November 2 | 1PM-4PM | Session 3: Staffing is a critical and competitive need for child care centers today. Participants review the basics of acquiring, retaining, and developing employees and teachers for their child care program. |
| November 16 | 1PM-4PM | Session 4: Not having a good plan is a barrier to success. Participants draw on learning from previous sessions and apply it to developing program goals and related actions to meet those goals. |
| Scheduled Individually | Individual Consultation: Business Goal Setting |
Parent Aware Points for Indicator
Upon completing the Business Leadership Cohort, the lead family child care provider or center director will earn the Business Leadership Credential for leading and managing an early care and education program. The Business Leadership Credential will appear on the provider’s Develop learning record as 3 points for indicator p1 3a. specialized credential. The Business Leadership Credential will remain on learning records as long as the provider works in the child care field.
Attendance is Mandatory
Participants are required to attend all four training sessions and two one-on-one consultations within the cohort to receive Develop training credit, Relationship-Based Professional Development (RBPD) credit, and the Business Leadership Credential. The two consultations are a Financial Analysis and a SMART Goals planning session.
Approved Credits
After completion, participants will receive 12 Develop training hours and 2-4 RBPD credit hours.
Eligible Participants
Participants must be a center director and involved in the business management of an already operating child care center.
Multiple Offerings
Business Leadership Cohorts are offered virtually throughout 2026-27. If these dates do not work, watch for more opportunities.
Limited Spots Available
For questions or to be placed on a waiting list, please email us at infoMN@firstchildrensfinance.org. Each cohort is limited to 12 participants. A waiting list will be available once registration capacity is reached.
For Questions or to be Placed on a Waiting List
Email us at: infomn@firstchildrensfinance.org