My Childcare Story

Every family has its battles finding childcare that is affordable, high quality and available. Over the years, I’ve had to figure out the balance that was right for our family with childcare for our kids and an income for myself. That has been a tricky task even to this day, but my husband and I have worked really hard at fitting all of the pieces together to make it work. 

I have worked many jobs that offered flexible hours. I’ve been in the restaurant business, worked childcare at our local gym, worked in retail, grew an independent consultant business, sold my artwork, and done work from a cubicle. Typically, I hold three to four jobs at a time to help bring in more income for our family. Currently, I publish the Colorado Springs edition of Macaroni Kid, build yearbooks for schools from home and have an independent consultant side job. Being a mom is hard work. Family time and a steady income are important to us.

I once turned down a full-time job offer that was right down my path. Why? Because a childcare provider was not close to us and the cost of that childcare was outrageous. The provider was “the” one and only in our town who offered in-home childcare, took the kids out on walks and educated them in her home. That would’ve changed the route we were on but I could not commit - given the commute to get my kids there each day and her program not being affordable.

How could this all have been different for me? MyVillage.

MyVillage could have been the solution for me in two ways:

1. High-quality, affordable and available childcare for my three kids provided by someone I trust and who is licensed, allowing me to work a steady job without worrying about the care of my kids.
2. My own franchise opportunity. I have figured out over the years of being a parent that I enjoy managing my own work. As a MyVillage educator, your kids can be active in your own childcare program at no cost to you. They can learn and engage with the other children in your program. And, you will make a living wage at the same time!

What is MyVillage? Let me give you the scoop...

When the founders of MyVillage became moms, they experienced firsthand the struggles families have in finding affordable, high-quality and available childcare. They also learned how hard a care provider needs to work to make ends meet. And their vision was born - to rebuild the village of care in our communities.

MyVillage was created as a solution that works for everyone: kids, families and care providers.

MyVillage is early childhood education, reimagined. They are a community of quality, in-home childcare providers - and are growing fast among our Colorado communities.

• Each new provider receives a hands-on mentor who has run a successful in-home childcare business.
• An experienced mentor and a Colorado in-home childcare licensing specialist are there to support you through the licensing process.
• The MyVillage team and mentors are pros at finding grants for startup and other costs. 
• Childcare providers love working with kids, not dealing with forms, schedules and money. With MyVillage, processes and systems for accounting, marketing and scheduling are provided. This business-in-a-box approach makes it easy to launch and run an in-home childcare program.
• MyVillage Educators typically make between 30 to 50 percent more using MyVillage, even with the 10% fee (which this fee does not apply to your own children).
• The MyVillage community of educators is strong. They lean on each other through their shared experiences and MyVillage fosters these connections.
• Access to 10 child-led, research-backed curricula, through the Frontiers of Innovation program at the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard is included with MyVillage’s program.

1. Do you need an early childhood background? Nope, their childcare educators come from all different backgrounds.
2. So how much does it cost? MyVillage is a franchise model, but they don’t require any up-front franchise fees (which is something I love about them). Once you get up and running, they do have a 10% monthly franchising fee. This goes towards provider support, including mentors, training, systems, marketing, and program insurance. However, this 10% does not apply to your own children.
3. Can I become a MyVillage provider if I already have an in-home childcare business? Yes! MyVillage helps exiting educators grow their programs with support, business tools, professional development and gives a community of others doing the same!

How You Can Get Involved & Create A Business Opportunity for Yourself

MyVillage is rapidly growing across Colorado. Are you interested in running your own childcare business but don't know where to start? MyVillage can help you start or grow your own preschool or childcare program.

Start or grow your program today!

Click HERE to get started.

Learn more about the MyVillage mission by watching this video.