Celebrating 14 Remarkable Child Care Entrepreneurs
This spring, our community gathered to celebrate something truly special: the graduation of 14 dedicated in-home child care business owners who have spent the past 10 weeks strengthening their businesses and investing in the children they serve every day.
Through the All Our Kin Business Series, these providers completed more than 30 hours of training and countless learning opportunities. Their commitment was extraordinary, with 100 percent attendance across the entire cohort.
Offered through Mainspring Early Care Alliance, an initiative of First Steps Kent, the training is part of a broader effort to strengthen the child care workforce, expand career pathways, and elevate business practices across our community.
The All Our Kin Business Series aligns closely with this vision. Designed specifically for family child care educators, the 10-week course covers essential topics like contracts and policies, marketing, financial management, budgeting, and recordkeeping. Just as importantly, it creates a supportive network of providers learning alongside one another.
“The All Our Kin Business Series deepened my understanding of what it means to run a successful child care program,” said Felicia Gill. “Learning alongside other providers built a strong sense of community, and I gained practical tools, from contracts and insurance to financial practices, that I could immediately apply. The course gave me confidence to grow both my business and the quality of care I provide.”
First Steps Kent has partnered with All Our Kin since 2020, joining a national movement that reimagines child care as a “triple win”: providers thrive as business owners, parents find stable and reliable care, and children receive the strong early foundation they deserve.
This graduation also marks an important milestone for local leadership. Trainers Awilda Diaz and Rebecca Keller were both certified through All Our Kin’s Train-the-Trainer program and led this cohort with expertise, care, and deep commitment.
“These women are not only entrepreneurs, but pillars of our community,” shared Rebecca Keller. “Every day, they open their homes to care for children and support families, making it possible for parents to go to work and pursue their goals.”
The celebration, hosted at the GRCC Early Learning Laboratory, brought together families, partners, and community leaders who all play a role in making this work possible. Support from partners like the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, and Amway continues to fuel opportunities like this for providers across Kent County.
During the ceremony, one message was clear: child care is not just a job, it is a calling.
Over the past 10 weeks, these providers invested their time, energy, and passion into growing their businesses while continuing to serve children each day. Their journey required real sacrifice, not just from them, but from the families who supported them along the way.
“To each of you graduating: your perseverance, your growth, and your passion do not go unnoticed,” Keller added. “You have truly earned this moment.”
These 14 women are more than graduates of a business series, they are entrepreneurs, caregivers, and community leaders. Their dedication, resilience, and passion are shaping a stronger future for children and families across Kent County.