The pandemic hit hard and fast, but as a small business owner and expert childcare provider, you need to lead through this crisis. While the world didn’t quite tilt on its axis, everyone is still scrambling to get their feet back under them.

Leading your childcare center through a crisis isn’t easy, but running a business and taking care of children isn’t easy either. You’ve got this. 

Here are some tips and tools to help you along on your leadership journey.

As the states begin to allow businesses to open from lockdown, shelter in place, and quarantine, childcare facilities face particular challenges. Not only must you guard against the little ones' propensity to touch everything and put it in their mouths, you now have a new germ to kill: Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 has caused widespread closures of many businesses, including childcare, summer camps, and afterschool care. Communicating with families is crucial for maintaining relationships and ensuring everyone is receiving accurate information about hours of operation, length of the closure, and how they can receive future communications. 

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is taking over life as we know it for the time being. Childcare services are being hit from all sides, from parents taking their children out for home care as they shelter in place to essential workers looking for places to put their kids while they work.

On March 26, 2020, we teamed up with the National Afterschool Association for a live webinar called “Ease Operational Headaches with EZChildTrack Afterschool Management Software."

We talked about using childcare management software to simplify and streamline program operations. The webinar focused on finding ways to help your program grow, empower your staff, and provide enrichment opportunities for every student.

We took questions from attendees and wanted to share them with you.

COVID-19 continues to make headlines. Childcare businesses are on the front lines, providing care for the children of essential personnel who still report to work during the crisis.

Federal funding is a major resource for afterschool programs in the United States. One of the most extensive programs, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) initiative, has been under fire in recent years by an administration intent on cutting educational funding programs. 

While federal funding isn’t the only resource for afterschool grants, it has the broadest impact. Many communities rely on it, especially in financially disadvantaged areas. Both rural and urban youth populations need a safe place to be in the afterschool hours. Research shows these programs decrease crime in the area as well as improve student achievement.

There is no doubt that afterschool programs are beneficial to students, parents, and the community. However, many programs are supported by grants and, while it has always been challenging to run an afterschool program in many areas of the country, grant-funded programs seem to struggle the most.

The Christmas holidays aren't the only thing to think about this time of year if you are a business owner. It's also time to close the business books and get ready for the New Year. Most of what you need to do is financial in nature.

Afterschool programs must keep complete and accurate records to show their value to the community and to obtain grants such as those from the 21st Century Community Learning Center program. Without the records, they would be unable to retain funding or attract students.