The Auke Bay Cooperative Preschool recently closed, deepening the child care shortage in Juneau. As options for child care facilities dwindle, local organizations are encouraging potential and new child care providers with resources.
The Association for the Education of Young Children in Juneau holds a monthly meeting called the Business of Caring for anyone thinking about starting a state licensed child care home or center.
“The Business of Caring is just an opportunity for people who are thinking about becoming a licensed provider to find out more about the business, and hopefully, that just helps them think about if this is a good fit for them or not,” said AEYC early learning services coordinator Christa Womack.
Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska also offers assistance to license applicants.
Tlingit and Haida Central Council will help pay for First Aid and CPR certifications, background checks, a fire inspection, a business license, safety equipment and other costs of getting licensed. It’ll also help pay for startup costs such as learning materials, books and art supplies. The applicant doesn’t have to be Alaska Native but must commit to watching kids within Tlingit and Haida’s Central Council’s child care program.
Once licensed, AEYC provides up to 10 hours of free on-site assistance on how to set up a learning environment. Womack says up to $1,000 in funding is available for startup costs.
“Sometimes they use the funds to purchase classroom materials or supplies for their program. Sometimes it’s like playground equipment – different things like that. It’s basically to support what they need to get their program off to a good start,” Womack said.
AEYC also offers incentives for people already in the childcare business who are interested in getting further education
For more information on resources for interested or new childcare providers, call AEYC at 789-1235 or Tlingit and Haida Central Council at 463-7140.
