In response to her own struggles finding child care during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brooke took a bold step into entrepreneurship by opening an in-home child care center. Her business, licensed for 12 children ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years old, quickly became a vital resource in her community. 

A Solution Born from Experience 

Brooke’s journey into child care was deeply personal. She recalls, “When I had my first child in 2020, during COVID, it was very difficult to find child care. Then I had my second child in 2022, and finding child care for two children was even more challenging.” Recognizing that her struggle was likely shared by many, she decided to be part of the solution: “I figured if I was having this much difficulty, there were other parents out there struggling too. So I thought, ‘Why not just open my own?'” 

Overcoming Challenges 

The biggest hurdle Brooke faced was internal – her own stress and perfectionism. “I thought the process was going to be way more difficult than it actually ended up being,” she admits. “In my head, I thought everything had to be perfect.” She soon learned that the licensing process was more understanding than she had anticipated. “The most difficult part for me was realizing that it didn’t have to be picture perfect. You just had to have the heart and the desire to help kids.” 

Community Impact 

Despite initial concerns about the demographics of her area, Brooke found her services in high demand. She operates in a small, tight-knit community comprising of three towns. “We have an aging population, which initially worried me. I thought I wouldn’t have enough people to fill my slots,” she explains. But her rapid enrollment proved her worries were wrong, demonstrating the critical need for child care services even in areas with aging populations. 

Brooke’s biggest triumph? “I was fully enrolled with a wait list within one week of opening,” she said. This quick success validates her strong business model and the pressing need for quality child care in her community. 

The Role of Support Systems 

Brooke credits much of her success to the support she received from CEI’s Child Care Business Lab. “I don’t even know if I can put it into words. Honestly, it was the biggest help I had access to,” she said. The Child Care Business Lab provided Brooke with comprehensive support, from business planning to financial counseling. “I couldn’t have opened if I didn’t have them. I didn’t even know where to begin,” Brooke admits. “It would have taken me 10 times longer if I didn’t have the Child Care Business Lab.” 

Advice for Aspiring Child Care Providers 

Brooke offers encouraging advice to others considering opening a childcare business: “Don’t stress out too much. As long as you have the heart and the desire to do it, there are really a lot of people there to help guide you.”