Since the pandemic began, many working families are using a combination of friends, family, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers to piece together care for their young children before they begin school. Santa Barbara Public Library (SBPL) wants to support these burgeoning small business providers.
As part of an innovative, grant-funded early literacy program that focuses on providing support and building community with FFN caregivers, SBPL is partnering with Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) to offer a series of classes in Spanish to help those informal caregivers interested in starting their own business in the field.
The “Emprendiendo tu propio negocio de cuidado de niños” (Managing Your Own Childcare Business) series will offer a five-week, free virtual learning opportunity for caregivers on topics of first steps, licensing, resources, marketing strategies, business administration, budgeting, pricing, and creating a business plan.
WEV presenters leading the series are fluent in Spanish, with experience in empowering small business start-ups. The series will allow opportunities for caregivers to sharpen their professional skills and succeed in an industry with a well-documented need for growth in Santa Barbara.
SBPL hopes to increase the number of credentialed childcare providers in the county, as well as increase the competence and confidence of existing caregivers by offering these classes.
Community needs assessments have indicated there are numerous informal caregiving arrangements in the community due to the shortage of affordable, licensed childcare.
“Providing high-quality early literacy classes has always been a library goal, and now we are working with community partners to expand our offerings to broaden our reach and impact,” said library director Jessica Cadiente.
“We’re grateful for the grant funding from the California State Library that allows us to offer these additional services for caregivers, especially in a language accessible to some of our traditionally underserved neighbors,” she said.
Understanding not everyone might have the tools and access to join virtual programs, SBPL offers laptops and wifi hotspots that can be checked out to get participants connected.
Anyone with a library card can check out an Acer chromebook and WiFi hotspot, a Youth Services chromebook and WiFi hotspot, or a Lenovo chromebook and WiFi hotspot or just a WiFi hotspot or Youth Services hotspot.
Library cards are available at any SBPL location or van stop upon presentation of a photo ID but are not required for program participation.
Classes will be held virtually, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in March, starting March 2. Participants should take all five classes. Registration is currently open here for scheduled classes.
Emprendiendo tu propio negocio de cuidado de niños series schedule:
March 2 – Como empezar, licencias, permisos y recursos útiles
March 9 – Comprender a tus clientes y crear una estrategia de marketing
March 16 – Tus Números y tu Mentalidad Financiera
March 23 – Tus finanzas de negocio y como establecer tus precios
March 30 – Integrando todo lo que aprendimos en un Plan de Acción para tu Negocio
Funds to support the program were awarded to SBPL as part of the State Library of California’s Shared Vision Early Learning Grants.
Visit the Santa Barbara Public Library online at SBPLibrary.org for information about programs and services. All library programs are free.
For more about Women’s Economic Ventures, visit www.wevonline.org.