Child Care Friendly Communities is a flexible, community-led designation program that recognizes and supports local efforts to strengthen child care.
Whether you’re just starting out or expanding established efforts, your community can earn recognition through one or more key designations based on local goals and capacity.
Each designation is independent—communities choose which to pursue based on local needs and pace.
Form a community-led coalition focused on child care solutions.
→ Collaborate across sectors
→ Define goals and share leadership
✅ Outcome: Active, representative coalitions
This designation recognizes communities that have formed a diverse and active coalition focused on child care. The coalition brings together local leaders, parents, business owners, providers, and other stakeholders to collaboratively identify needs, share data, align resources, and guide child care-related efforts.
Remove local policy and zoning barriers to support child care growth.
→ Review and update ordinances
→ Align permitting and zoning processes
✅ Outcome: More accessible path for providers
This designation is awarded to communities that are actively identifying and addressing local policies or regulations—such as zoning, building codes, or ordinances—that hinder the creation or expansion of child care. The goal is to make it easier for providers to open and operate child care programs.
Expand access to child care slots.
→ Increase the number of providers and programs
→ Support expansion in underserved areas
✅ Outcome: More licensed seats in your community
Communities that are working to increase the number of available child care seats can earn this designation. This may involve opening new classrooms, expanding existing facilities, supporting home-based care, or attracting new providers to underserved areas.
Support the child care workforce.
→ Offer professional development
→ Support and assist local child care providers
✅ Outcome: Strengthened and stable provider network
This designation highlights communities that are investing in the well-being and sustainability of their child care providers and workforce. Support efforts might include professional development, shared business services, mental health resources, wage supports, or networking opportunities.
Ready to Make Your Community Child Care Friendly?
Step 1: Meet with Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
Step 2: Choose the designation(s) that matter most
Click on your county in the map below to connect with your local Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator. They’re here to answer your questions and help you access the resources and support you need.
Child Care Impact Partner, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Parter, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, No Barriers – Bright Futures, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, No Barriers – Bright Futures, Backbone Support Initiative
Childcare Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner
Child Care Impact Partner
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builders
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner
Child Care Impact Partner, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, No Barriers – Bright Futures, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Backbone Supportive Initiative
Backbone Supportive Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builders, Backbone Support Initiative
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builders
Child Care Impact Partner, Child Care Capacity Builder
Child Care Impact Partner, Backbone Support Initiative
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