Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal Giving Guide 2026 7 Member FDIC You know your business better than anyone. But business banking comes with its own complexities — when to spend, when to save and how cash moves. At Country Bank, we understand how business banking should work. That's why we partner with you to provide the support and know-how when you don't know how. IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW. BEC AUSE W E DO. Member FDIC Member DIF Scan to learn more. Rozanna Penney, president and CEO of Heywood Health- care. While childcare access impacts people across income brackets, those making $50,000 or less are most likely to face this hardship, Penney said. For the community hospital system, childcare had be- come more than a family issue. It was a workforce issue. A NONPROFIT RESPONSE In Central Massachusetts, nonprofits are responding. Organizations traditionally focused on education, health, and human services are tackling childcare as an economic development strategy, creating new businesses, support- ing entrepreneurs, and partnering with employers in an effort to solve one of the region's most persistent labor challenges. One of the most visible examples sits inside the Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester. A large early education and care provider in Central Massachusetts with a focus on providing affordable childcare to working families, the Guild of St. Agnes struggled in recent years to hire enough teachers to keep all class- rooms open. Now, two once-empty classrooms have been trans- formed into Central Massachusetts' first childcare busi- ness incubator, where aspiring family childcare providers receive rent-free space, business coaching, and mentoring as they build businesses of their own. e initiative, called the Family Childcare Success Proj- ect, received $1.1 million from e Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. "We were especially excited to help launch it because it covers so many of the important issues of the day," said President and CEO Amie Shei. STUDYING THE PROBLEM e incubator grew out of a simple question: If thousands of families need child- care and many people want to become providers, why aren't more family childcare businesses opening? During a yearlong planning process, Worcester-based Seven Hills Foundation studied where prospective provid- ers were getting stuck. e obstacles were everywhere, and primarily seemed to affect those wanting to open home- based family childcare programs licensed by the state. Many hoped to operate from rented homes only to find landlords unwilling to allow childcare businesses. Others owned homes but couldn't afford fencing, bathroom reno- vations, or other improvements required for state licens- ing. Even aer becoming licensed, many struggled with insurance, business planning, and navigating regulatory requirements. Examining the hurdles and learning how to help new providers overcome them is essential to the incubator's goals, said Leslie Baker, program director for the Seven Hills Foundation's Center for Childcare Careers. "We really want to dig deeply and answer that question," said Baker, who oversees and advises incubator participants as they launch their businesses. Rather than expecting entrepreneurs to overcome those hurdles alone, Seven Hills partnered with the Guild of St. Agnes to repurpose two vacant classrooms into fully licensed childcare spaces. e arrangement removes some of the biggest financial barriers facing new providers while surrounding them with experienced educators who can answer questions, provide substitute coverage and offer mentorship. "It's not just the space," Shei said. "It's training, coaching, and support, including business planning." For the Guild of St. Agnes, the partnership breathes new life into classrooms that otherwise would have remained dark because of staffing shortages. Meanwhile, hiring conditions have improved as wages for early childhood educators have increased. "We have empty classrooms," said Guild President and CEO Sharon McDonald. "We oen have employers call us asking about designated childcare spots for their employees." Rozanna Penney Leslie Baker Sharon McDonald continues on page 9 Amie Shei

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