We are thrilled to announce MaineAEYC’s Child Care Business Summit 2025 — the must-attend event of 2025 for child care providers, educators, and business owners!
This day is designed to help you take your child care business to the next level. Whether you’re looking for strategies to grow your business, improve your operations, or stay ahead of industry trends, the conference will provide valuable insights, actionable tips, and incredible networking opportunities.
Schedule of the Day
8:30-9:15 Registration, breakfast and networking
9:30-10:30 Keynote
10:45am-12:00pm Breakout Session 1
12-1pm Lunch
1-2:30pm Breakout Session 2
2:45-4pm Breakout Session 3
What to Expect:
- Expert-led sessions on enrollment, financial management and human resources
- Networking opportunities with industry leaders and fellow providers
- Tools and resources to help you build a thriving child care business
- Inspirational keynote speakers and interactive workshops
Child Care Business Summit Sessions
KEYNOTE: Child Care is Big Business
Child care is more than just a service—it’s our opportunity to drive economic growth, build stronger communities, and shape the future of our workforce. In this keynote, you’ll explore how our work as early childhood educators positions us as critical leaders in a multi-billion-dollar industry.
You’ll be empowered to see yourself as a business leader, transforming challenges into opportunities and amplifying your impact on early childhood development. This session will celebrate your contributions, inspire confidence in your value, and help you embrace your role in redefining the child care profession.
Child care isn’t just important—it’s big business, and you are at the heart of it.
Never Lose an Employee Again
In the childcare industry, where turnover can be a constant challenge, retaining your best employees is more critical than ever. Join Coach Chantel as she shares proven strategies to keep your top talent engaged, motivated, and deeply committed to your center. This session focuses on the critical moments that shape the employee experience and how you can cultivate a workplace culture that inspires loyalty and long-term dedication. Learn how to reduce turnover costs, build a culture of retention, and ensure that your team remains your greatest asset. Coach Chantel will draw from both practical experience and research to provide actionable insights that will help you create an environment where employees not only stay but thrive. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the keys to retaining your best employees and driving lasting success in your organization.
Business Basics for Family Child Care Providers
Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned provider, come join me to learn new tips and tricks to hone your business skills. We’ll review ways to track your income and expenses and tips on how to stay organized. Expense categories as well as time space percentage will be discussed. Learn about the benefits of having a business checking account and how to build a business savings. Not sure you’ll be able to ever save? We’ll talk about ways to increase your net income. Most importantly bring your questions! We’ll dedicate a portion of our time for open Q & A.
Leading Through Change
For the better part of the last five years, childcare owners have been operating in a space of reactive business management. Constantly playing fire-fighter instead of program administrator; jumping from one challenging situation to the next. Never feeling as if progress is being made to get ahead of the cyclone that was fueled by global pandemic and "unprecedented times".
Well, it's time to set the precedent, take charge of
ECE as a successful business, and lead with confidence. This session will inspire you to look at your vision and mission through a new lens of proactive and positive strategies, to switch the narrative and bring joy back into the business of children and families. Participants will not only leave with tangible plans for positive change, but a connection made with OCFS program and workforce navigators dedicated to continuing to support childcare programs statewide, long after the
session is over.