From May 4th to May 10th, 2025, National Small Business Week will be celebrated by the Small Business Administration (SBA), highlighting the achievements of entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Early Childhood Business Solutions (ECBS) program joins the SBA in recognizing Arizona’s child care small business owners, who are essential to our workforce and communities. ECBS proudly provides statewide business support, helping child care entrepreneurs and established programs achieve financial stability and offer quality care to families.
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, ECBS team members attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Tiny Cactus Daycare in Parker, Arizona. Sponsored by The Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event celebrated this vital new child care program that will serve local families.
Tiny Cactus Daycare’s owner, Priscilla Perez, received comprehensive support from ECBS in starting her business. This included planning and implementation, technology training, and regulatory compliance. Priscilla worked closely with Evie Thompson, ECBS HUB Business Coordinator who provided her with the necessary training and knowledge to meet her business goals and open her child care on schedule.
Securing funding is a common challenge for new child care entrepreneurs looking to open or expand their programs. Priscilla was able to overcome this obstacle with grant funding from First Things First. This funding allowed Priscilla and Evie to focus on business planning, budgeting, technical training, and other processes required to successfully launch Tiny Cactus Daycare.
The ECBS team was deeply moved on Saturday, not only by the successful opening of a new child care program but also by the palpable sense of pride and community in Parker celebrating Tiny Cactus Daycare. Priscilla was surrounded by family, friends, and community members, making it clear that this venture was a labor of love and a joyous occasion for everyone present.
Join ECBS in congratulating Priscilla on the opening of Tiny Cactus Daycare. If you are a child care provider in Arizona or an aspiring entrepreneur, contact the Early Childhood Business Solutions at (602) 265-4768, [email protected], or visit our website at https://earlychildhoodbusinesssolutions.com/ to learn how we can help you achieve your business goals.
For more information on National Small Business Week, visit the SBA at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week.
Special acknowledgement and thanks to First Things First Colorado River Indian Tribes Region and Colorado River Indian Tribes.
Photos by Official Foto
This month, child care leaders from across Arizona gathered to learn best practices for maintaining organized financial records. The training was led by Barbara Nuñez of Abundant Bookkeeping & Consulting Services.
Barbara provided valuable insights on financial documentation, budgeting, tracking income and expenses, and staying compliant with tax laws. You can watch a sample of the training here.
If you missed the March Business Speaker Series, contact your Business Management Specialist for the replay. If you don’t have a Business Management Specialist yet, reach out to our Business Support Line at (602) 265-4768 or [email protected].
The Multifaceted Role of a Child Care Owner or Director
Being a child care owner or director means wearing many hats—nurse, teacher, caregiver, building maintenance, and administrator. One of the most crucial responsibilities is ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. Like all businesses, child care centers and group homes licensed by Arizona Child Care Licensing must adhere to specific regulations.
Why Regulatory Compliance Matters
Meeting regulatory requirements is vital for the sustainability of your business. Clean licensing records can positively impact insurance premiums, family retention, marketing efforts, and, most importantly, the health and safety of the children in your care.
Support from Early Childhood Business Solutions
Early Childhood Business Solutions offers comprehensive support for all your business needs, including development, sustainability, and succession planning. We aim to help child care leaders understand their regulatory requirements and integrate them into internal controls and automation to simplify daily operations. If you haven’t connected with a Business Management Specialist yet, reach out today at (602) 265-4768 or [email protected].
Monthly Online Forums
Did you know the Arizona Bureau of Child Care Licensing offers a monthly online forum? These sessions allow child care providers to ask questions, clarify issues, and discuss concerns related to licensing and regulatory requirements. The next session, “Chit & Chat with Child Care,” is on April 2, 2025.
Are you a child care business owner? A crucial update has emerged regarding Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting, and understanding the new deadlines is vital for compliance.
For child care business owners, this means a new filing deadline is now in effect. Businesses must complete their BOI reporting by March 21, 2025. Additionally, new businesses have 90 days from their formation date to file. It’s important to note that most child care businesses will be required to report.
Simplified Reporting Process
Reporting is straightforward, and there’s no need to pay for assistance. However, failure to file can result in steep fines—$591 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000. Such penalties could severely impact a small child care business. Therefore, it’s advisable to file as soon as possible.
Where to Learn More
To learn more about BOI reporting, file your report, track your submission, and confirm your business’s filing requirement, visit the OFFICIAL Beneficial Ownership Information Report page.
Need Assistance?
For additional resources or support, contact our Early Childhood Business Solutions Support Line at (602) 265-4768 or email us at [email protected].
Don’t Delay!
March 21, 2025, is fast approaching. Ensure your business remains compliant and avoid unnecessary fines by filing your BOI report on time.
Child Care Owners – Here are Key Tips for a Stress-Free Tax Season
Managing finances effectively is critical to ensuring the sustainability and growth of your child care business. Navigating the complex landscape of business expenses can be daunting, but with the right guidance and resources, you can optimize your financial strategies and maximize your tax benefits.
Tax season can be particularly stressful for child care owners, often leading to confusion about deductible expenses, potential audit triggers, and the advisability of taking deductions at all. Early Childhood Business Solutions (ECBS) recognizes these concerns and is committed to providing assistance.
We’ve partnered with Nayo Carter-Gray, CEO of 1st Step Accounting, to clarify what expenses are deductible. Here are some key points she shared from a recent Business Speaker Series on the IRS rules for deductions:
Ordinary and Necessary: The expenses must be essential to run your business.
Directly Related to the Business: Only business-related expenses qualify.
Properly Documented: Keep accurate records of all expenses.
For more detailed insights, watch this informative clip featuring Nayo Carter-Gray from our February Business Speaker Series.
If you’re eager to learn more, reach out to our ECBS Support Line. Connect with a Business Management Specialist who can provide additional tax strategies and support your business goals. Remember, all Early Childhood Business Solutions services are free for early childhood leaders.
