Local fire departments serve and protect our communities in so many ways. The need for additional training is constant. Having a member familiar with the needs of child care providers can be a huge boost to the local economy. Have you had any conversations about supporting economic development for the child care sector in your community?
What can we do to help?
Trained Local Fire Inspector
Access to a State Fire Marshal inspection can take time, often causing new child care businesses to delay opening by up to 6 weeks. Local fire departments that have a trained local fire inspector are an asset to child care businesses. Consider having a member or two become trained to assist with inspections in and around your community.
Visit the State Fire Marshal’s pageBe a Resource
Rules and regulations for starting a child care business can be confusing and overwhelming. Inspections for approval don’t happen until these businesses are about ready to open. A lot of time and money can be saved by having an unofficial walk-through and/or initial inquiry with a trained fire inspector without repercussions or mandates to change fire code.
Provide Free Training Space
In addition to fees to attend trainings, it has become increasingly difficult to find spaces to accommodate trainings for providers during evenings and weekends. Providing access to meeting, conference or board rooms (free of charge) increases the probability providers can attend trainings locally, or within reasonable distances. Visit the training spaces page to view the list of available free training spaces in southwest Minnesota. You can also add your training space to the list using this submission form.
Resources:
- Southwest Initiative Foundation: Child Care in Action (PDF) This fact sheet explores the five areas of focus for the foundation’s work supporting quality, affordable child care — a critical part of our economy and communities in southwest Minnesota.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation: Bright Beginnings Loan Program This fact sheet explores the five areas of focus for the foundation’s work supporting quality, affordable child care — a critical part of our economy and communities in southwest Minnesota.
- The Business Case for Investing in High-Quality Child Care (PDF) This fact sheet highlights the child care industry’s economic and job impact in Minnesota.
- Child Care Aware of Minnesota West/Central District Child Care Aware provides families, child care programs, and the community with information and support for quality child care that is affordable and accessible.
- First Children’s Finance First Children’s Finance provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families.
