Become a Provider

Your Journey to Child Care Starts Here

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow as a child care professional, Gateways to  Opportunity is Illinois’ go-to resource for education, training, and career development in early childhood education. This statewide program supports providers at every step—from credentialing and continuing education to scholarship opportunities and tools that help you provide high-quality care.


Use Gateways to track your professional growth, access training requirements, and learn how to take the next step in building a meaningful career in child care.

Where Purpose

Meets Opportunity

Why Starting a Family Child Care Business Can Be So Rewarding

Becoming a family child care provider is more than a career choice—it’s a meaningful way to make a difference while building a life and business you love. Here are some of the reasons people are excited to take this path:

Meaningful

Impact

Shape young lives, support working parents, and become a trusted presence in your community—all while doing work that truly matters.

Nurturing Environment

Design an environment that reflects your values, comforts children, and supports their development in ways larger centers often can’t.

Purposeful Ownership

Gain the freedom and pride that comes with being your own boss—while knowing your work creates real, everyday impact in the lives of families.

Community Connection

Your child care business becomes more than a service—it becomes a trusted part of the families you serve and the neighborhood you support.

Project CHILD

Connecting Families and Providers with Trusted Support

Project CHILD is your hub in Southern Illinois for reliable child care assistance and education. As a dedicated resource & referral agency, we help families find quality, affordable child care and support providers in navigating care standards, licensing, and funding options.


Whether you're seeking care for your child or running a child care business, our specialists can guide you every step of the way

Build Your Business with Confidence

Starting a family child care business takes more than passion—it takes a plan. The IECC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers professional, one-on-one guidance to help new child care providers navigate the business side of things. From creating business plans and financial projections to understanding licensing, regulations, and marketing strategies, SBDC advisors are here to help your child care business launch and grow successfully.


Their services are free, confidential, and tailored to your needs as a future provider.

Stay Connected

to Your Community

Explore Resources Through Crawford County, IL

As you begin your journey to becoming a licensed child care provider, staying connected with your local community is key. The Crawford County, IL website offers a central hub of information on county services, business development, events, and contacts that can support your goals. Whether you’re looking for local regulations, economic initiatives, or community updates, this site is a helpful resource to stay informed and engaged.

Grow With Crawford County

The Crawford County Development Association is committed to driving economic growth and supporting local entrepreneurs across our region. From community planning to small business development, they serve as a key resource for individuals looking to launch and grow businesses—including licensed child care services. Their team works alongside organizations like CCKA to help providers succeed and strengthen the local economy.

Let’s Get You Started

Ready to Take the First Step?

We’re here to help you turn your passion for child care into a successful business—one step at a time.