Welcome to August

Across the child care field, August feels like a turning point. Some communities are preparing for fall. Some providers are working hard just to stay steady. And others are quietly reshaping what's possible.

This issue highlights work that’s moving forward in real time, from new local leaders to statewide strategy sessions and field-tested insights you can use today.

Explore the highlights below, and share with anyone doing the work on the ground.

Meet Brooke Garvey,

Mapleton’s New Operator

Brooke brings a strong sense of purpose, a clear vision for her program and deep commitment to her community. With her leadership, the Child Care House will offer more than just child care, it will create opportunity, connection, and long-term impact.

You’re invited to meet Brooke in person!

Join us on August 14 at Mapleton's Community Picnic for a live event with project updates and a look at what’s next for Mapleton’s Child Care House.

Event details are listed below under Upcoming Events.

→ Learn more about Brooke

→ Learn more about the Mapleton effort



→ Learn more about the Child Care House model

Next in the Summer Series

What If Solving Your Workforce Shortage Starts

with Building Child Care Infrastructure?

Part of the Business of Child Care Summer Series.

This free session explores how

supporting infrastructure for child care

can strengthen your local workforce.

This session is about more than child care. It's about the infrastructure that helps families work and businesses hire.

Featuring:

Matthew Henry, Tony Dillon, and Jacob Pomi from TOOTRiS

What You’ll Learn:

Every community wants a stronger workforce. But real progress begins with building the systems families rely on to show up and stay. That starts with child care.

TOOTRiS leaders will share how infrastructure is shaping workforce strategies in real time, from on-site support to employer-led platforms and digital access tools. See how communities are creating the foundation child care needs to grow.

→ Full Event Details

Upcoming Events

The ROI of Localized Child Care

August 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM CT

Business of Child Care team

This session highlights how small towns are addressing the child care infrastructure gap using models like Hosted Spaces and Child Care House. We’ll cover ROI, startup alignment, and what scalable care looks like in practice.

→ Register for This Session

The Cost of Waiting: Missed Economic Opportunity Without Child Care

August 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM CT

Featuring Chad Chancellor, Co-Founder of Next Move Group

This session focuses on how child care gaps are slowing growth, delaying job creation, and affecting regional competitiveness. It is built for economic leaders ready to move from awareness to action.

→ Register for This Session

Where We’re Showing Up

We’re joining local events, regional trainings, and community celebrations this month.

Catch us on the road:

Mapleton Community Picnic

August 14 | 5:30–7:30 PM CT | More Info

Celebrating local investment with families and leaders in Mapleton, MN.

Midwest CDI Conference

August 14 | Springfield, IL | Event Details

Jeff Andrews delivers the keynote, “Address for Success,” to civic and economic development leaders.

Mardi Gras Economic Development Conference

February 11–12, 2026 | New Orleans, LA | Conference Info

Jeff headlines this national event connecting child care strategy to site readiness.

Want to connect while we’re out in the field? We’re always open to conversations. Join us in person or reach out to talk strategy in your community.

→ View the full calendar

In Case You Missed It!

A small-town child care center looked stable from the outside. Classrooms were full. Enrollment steady. Staff doing their best. But behind the scenes, the director was quietly making the same decision each month: which bill could wait.

It was not sudden. The warning signs had been there for months. But no one had paused to look.

That kind of strain is more common than it seems. And the turning point is rarely a rescue. It is usually a reset. A chance to step back, ask better questions, and rebuild a structure that works.

Last month’s article shares what happens when leaders stop reacting and start asking better questions.

→ Read: Getting to the Real Problem

A reflection on clarity, leadership, and how progress starts.

→ Book: Stability and Growth Review Call

For programs and partners ready to take a practical next step.

→ Download: Early Crisis Guide

If you are not sure whether a program is in trouble, this guide can help.

See Local Strategy in Action

Our YouTube channel is built for leaders who want to see practical solutions in action.

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