Think Small Institute to Host Annual Family Child Care Week

For over 25 years, Think Small has offered an annual Family Child Care Business Seminar in the fall focused on increasing providers’ knowledge and skills on topics to support their business.  

In 2020 the Think Small Institute (a division of Think Small) was launched and held the Business Seminar virtually over two weeks in November. This year, the Think Small Institute will be hosting a Family Child Care Business Week starting on December 6 and concluding on December 9, 2021.  

As in years past, this event is designed specifically for family child care providers to help enrich and enhance their business knowledge and skills as they engage in 6 virtual instructor-led trainings. This year we discounted and bundled relevant Redleaf Press materials with each Business Week training to further support providers.  

Topics of the event include recordkeeping, collaborating with families, licensing inspections, and more. Click here for more information and to register for Think Small Institute’s Family Child Care Business Week.

Below is a complete list of trainings and resources and clickable links to get registered: 

Monday, December 6th, 2021 

Recordkeeping For Beginners in Family Child Care 

Monday, December 6: 6:30-8:30pm CST 

Instructor: Lisa Thompson 
Price: Course-Only: $30 | Course + Book Bundle: $50 

Discover how a solid recordkeeping system will help run a successful child care business in addition to providing great education and care for young children. In this instructor-led, online course, participants will take a look at best practices for tracking and reporting to start a child care business off right. Participants will also learn strategies to expand as they grow their business. 

KCF: VI | CDA: VI 

Register for Course Only ($30) >> 

Register for Course + Book Bundle ($50) >> 

Course + Book Bundle 
We are pleased to offer a bundle combining access to the above Recordkeeping course with a copy of Family Child Care Record-Keeping Guide. This Ninth Edition covers everything you need to keep accurate business records and save money on your taxes. Following the recommendations in this book, you will be able to claim the maximum allowable deductions and pay the lowest possible federal taxes. The information in this book applies to child care providers in every state, regardless of local regulations. Product #543970  

Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 

The Business of Interview Success 

Tuesday, December 7: 6:30-8:30pm CST | Instructor: Kim Woehl 
Price: Course-Only: $30 | Course + Book Bundle: $50 

In this course, explore how to make and use an interview book to secure families into your child care program, while you investigate what is important to include in your own book. 

Course + Book Bundle 
We are pleased to offer a bundle combining access to the above course with the fourth edition of the business classic Family Child Care Contracts and Policies, which offers the most comprehensive, up-to-date tools for family child care needs to establish and enforce contracts and policies and to demonstrate provider professionalism. Sample and customizable contracts and policy handbooks available online with book purchase, and replaces previous edition’s CD-ROM. Product # 546506 

KCF: VI | CDA: VI 

Register for Course Only ($30) >> 

Register for Course + Book Bundle ($50) >> 

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 

Well Being: A Call for Self and Community Care 

Wednesday, December 8: 6:30-8:30pm CST | Instructor: Jamie Bonczyk 
Price: Course-Only: $30 | Course + Book Bundle: $50 

Learn the difference between stress and stressors. Explore your own well-being through a brief guided meditation and reflecting on your own self-care.

Discover elements of community-care. Child Care professionals are best prepared to take care of others when they have first taken care of themselves. 

KCF: VI | CDA: VI 

Register for Course Only ($30) >> 

Register for Course + Book Bundle ($50) >> 

Course + Book Bundle 
We are pleased to offer a bundle combining access to the above course with the most trusted business resource for Family Child Care professionals for 45 years! The 2022 Redleaf Calendar-Keeper is an all-in-one calendar, expense, and income tracker for family child care professionals. Product #100022 

Introduction to Cultural Consciousness: Considering Cultural Dynamics 

Wednesday, December 8: 6:30-8:30pm CST | Instructor: Hannah Riddle de Rojas 
Price: Course-Only: $30 | Course + Book Bundle: $50 

Explore and practice cultural consciousness. Diversity presents itself in many ways when working with young children and their families. Learn how culture impacts child development and our relationships with families. 

KCF: III | CDA: IV 

Register for Course Only ($30) >> 

Register for Course + Book Bundle ($50) >> 

Course + Book Bundle 
We are pleased to offer a bundle combining access to the above course with a favorite tool for family child care providers filing their own taxes. As tax season approaches each year, thousands of family child care providers save time and money using the 2021 Family Child Care Tax Workbook & Organizer. The most comprehensive resource available, this book contains up-to-date guidance so family child care providers can accurately complete their own tax returns and take advantage of all the business deductions they are entitled to claim. 

Thursday, December 9th, 2021 

Collaborating with Families Part 3; Thriving Through Different Cultural Dynamics and Conflicting Caregiving Practices 
Thursday, December 9: 6:30-8:30pm CST | Instructor: Raelene Ostberg 
Price: Course-Only: $30 | Course + Book Bundle: $50 

Learn a process to collaboratively and comfortably resolve conflicts and caregiving differences that inevitably come up when sharing the care and education of young children. The reality is, caregiving is shaped by our personal goals, values, and culture. Explore how cultural differences and opposing values can fuel conflict. Discover methods to address issues that come up, work through differences, and leaves all parties feelings respected and valued. Increase the likelihood families will be on your team through difficult discussions and differences in child-rearing approaches and ensure success for your program and the families you work with. For this 2-hour interactive live webinar, you will view a PowerPoint presentation and presenter on the webcam while you participate in chats and apply the concepts to your environment. 

KCF: VI | CDA: IV 
Register for Course Only ($30) >> 

Register for Course + Book Bundle ($50) >> 

Course + Book Bundle 
We are pleased to offer a bundle combining access to the above course with Family Engagement in Early Childhood Settings. Enhance interactions, engagement, expectations, and communication with families. Working with parents and families can be a challenge, especially when there are contradicting expectations. However, it can also be a joyful and empowering experience for both the program and the family if partnering with families is built into the program’s culture. Following a strengths-based approach, Family Engagement in Early Childhood Settings offers all programs, including family child care, center-based programs, and school-based programs, strategies for building or enhancing interactions, engagement, expectations, communication, and participation with families. 

In The Know: Be Prepared! Licensing Inspections Family Childcare 

Thursday, December 9: 6:30-8:30pm CST | Instructor: Cyndi Cunningham 
Price: Course-Only: $30 | Course + Book Bundle: $50 

Identify how to successfully prepare your Licensed Family Child Care program for licensing visits. Review the licensing visit process and set goals to ensure a positive visit. Walk away from this course feeling empowered! 

KCF: VI | CDA: VI 

Register for Course Only ($30) >> 

Register for Course + Book Bundle ($50) >> 

Course + Book Bundle 
We are pleased to offer a bundle combining access to the above course with Family Child Care Guide to Visits, Inspections, and Interviews. As a family child care professional, you nurture and teach children during their most formative years. Being a family child care provider also means you must attend to families, licensors, food program representatives, coaches, and other people who visit your in-home business. This guide is filled with everything you need to successfully prepare for and host visits from people involved in the operation and regulation of your business. 

Learn more at Think Small Institute.org.