Mapleton, MN

The First Child Care House Breaks Ground

“This is going to show other towns what’s possible. It’s infrastructure that solves for families and workforce at the same time.”

— Mayor Jeff Annis, Mapleton, MN

A New Approach

In early May, leaders in Mapleton, MN came together to do something different: break ground on the first-ever Child Care House.

Not a pilot. Not a retrofit. A fully delivered, licensing-aligned solution designed to operate from day one and built specifically for the conditions small towns face.

From site preparation to provider supports, the entire model was built to take action where others stall.

Watch the Groundbreaking Coverage

Visit the Mapleton Project Page

A Straightforward Starting Point for Funding

New Guide: How to Start Thinking About Child Care Funding

We’ve heard the same question again and again:

“Where do we even start when it comes to funding?”

This new guide is built to answer that. It’s not a grant list or a technical manual. It’s a plain-language tool for local leaders, chambers, funders, and civic teams who want to understand what early funding steps look like and how communities are stacking resources to make real projects happen.

If you’re starting the conversation locally, this is a good place to begin.

Download the Funding Child Care Guide

Real Communities. Real Outcomes.

What We’ve Helped Communities Achieve So Far

Whether it’s protecting existing care, expanding local capacity, or reactivating stalled opportunities, the results are real—and they're growing.

Moultrie County, IL

In 2024, local leaders aligned on a bold goal: keep every provider and expand capacity. They succeeded—growing access by 78% through planning, shared investment, and community will.

Read about Moultrie County’s Outcome and Others

Four Years In and Still Solving

From a Box of Parts to Real Progress

When we started, we didn’t have a blueprint. We had a question—and what felt like a box of labeled parts: community, provider, space, workforce, funding.

Over the last four years, that box has turned into real solutions. Not because the parts changed, but because the people holding them—local leaders, providers, and funders—got clear on what they could build together.

This mindset still guides our work. Use what you have. Stay curious. Keep going.

To mark the milestone, Jeff Andrews recorded an anniversary message:

Watch the Message

Upcoming Events

Cities Say Yes to Child Care: Understanding the ROI

Explore the return on investment of saying yes to child care by examining the economic gains, workforce impact, and long-term value for communities.

Event Info:

Tuesday, June 3

11:00 AM CST | Virtual

Mayor-to-Mayor Roundtable: Fueling the Yes: Funding Strategies that Work

Our next session is focused on funding.

We’ll walk through early capital steps, common funding sources, and what to think about before locking in a plan.

Event Info:

Thursday, June 5

2:30 PM CST | Virtual

www.businessofchildcare.com | info@businessofchildcare.com | 844-444-5602