Enjoy the Benefits of Community Partnerships

Wisconsin communities are already putting new and innovative ideas into action to help solve child care challenges. Follow their lead or use what they’re doing to inspire creative solutions of your own. See what other communities are doing.

Work with a community business to create your own unique partnership. For example, you could offer child care slots to local businesses for a set fee. You could work out a tiered plan at discounted rates depending on the business size. Wisconsin has already seen this approach successful in many communities. Remember, partnerships don’t always have to be a financial agreement. Finding ways to save on essential services can be just as valuable. Think about businesses that you could exchange services with. Perhaps your child care center needs consistent landscaping or snow removal services. Maybe your outdoor play area or indoor space could use some upgrades. Like you, every business has something valuable to offer.

Check out DCF’s Business-Child Care Partnership Tool Kit.

Partnerships don’t have to be complicated. You can simply partner up to help promote each other’s business. This can be as easy as displaying one another’s promotional materials at your business or on your website or social media accounts. Word of mouth works great, too! You’ll be the first to recommend each other’s businesses when time comes.

• Be a community advocate for child care issues at community and school events, chamber meetings, etc.
• Invest in long-term community programs that support your community like:
  • Supporting transportation and ride share services that help people get to/from child care and work
  • Offer parenting education classes at you child care center or a local family resource center
  • Become active in local nonprofits and community government
  • Donate to charities that help support children and families