Attend an upcoming virtual information session to learn more, register now. CLICK HERE

The Shared Services Network

By Early Childhood Alliance

Operating a childcare business is about to get easier

Owning a childcare business can be stressful.

Program marketing, keeping steady enrollment numbers, purchasing supplies, the list goes on…

Let’s not forget the most important part of your day: teaching the quickly developing minds of the young children in your care. Let’s face it, finding time to strategically enhance your business and meet your professional development goals can be a real struggle!
Don’t worry – the ECA Shared Services Network is here to help!

Membership includes numerous benefits through a network of professionals.

Access to vendor discounts, CACFP-approved menus with recipes, business coaching, sample staffing and business policies, to name a few.

Services that grow with you...

Tier 1 - Networking

Indiana Early Learning Hub

  • A resource website connecting childcare providers with
    • a variety of businesses
    • classroom resources
    • policy and procedure templates
  • All the benefits of a job board
  • Docs-by-Phone
  • Training resources
  • Connection to state partners

Bright by Text

  • Provides content from trusted experts to support the “whole child, whole family” approach to early childhood by sending text messages that share:
    • Helpful tips, info, and activities on physical and mental health,
    • Social-emotional wellbeing, safety, brain development, connections, encouragement, and more

Networking Opportunities

  • Receive updates on upcoming training and funding opportunities
  • Professional development opportunities and innovations in childcare
  • Stay connected with other local programs through monthly cohort meetings
  • Connection to state and local partners in the field

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

  • Get connected to available sponsors for consultations regarding nutrition for your program and assist in diversifying funding to support your program

Tier 2 - Building

All of Tier 1, plus…

Coaching and Support

  • Up to 4 hours per month connecting with an early childhood professional for help with general program support, setting program goals, virtually or by phone based on individual needs

Business Coaching

  • In partnership with Civitas Strategies Early Start, providers will have access to coaches that provide essential support for childcare businesses and that work with childcare providers to increase revenue and decrease costs
  • Tax education
  • Securing federal relief funding
  • Budgeting and monitoring cash flow
  • Marketing strategies

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

  • Menu planning with recipes
  • Computer tools for
    • tracking and documenting meals
    • grocery lists
  • More hands-on assistance

Child Care Mgmt System (CMS)

  • Early Learning Ventures (ELV), a proven software platform which offers child care providers support through their licensing-compliant online childcare management system, Alliance CORE
  • Services include, but not limited to:
    • Online enrollment
    • Attendance tracking
    • Billing assistance
    • Staff and child reminders through apps and two-way communication with families
    • Data analyzation to support the implementation of Child Care Management System

Attend an upcoming virtual information session to learn more, register now. CLICK HERE

Application Process

Currently available to all types of care in Allen, DeKalb, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley Counties only.

1. Attend

A virtual information session to learn the ins-and-outs of the Shared Services Network.

2. Apply

Fill out an online application that helps us learn about you and your program.

3. Connect

When the time is right, we’ll reach out to you at the location and method you specify.

4. Pay

We’ll send you a link to pay your membership fee when its time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Shared Services Network?

The ECA Shared Services Network is designed to help your program increase enrollment, reduce your administrative task list, and grow your business through the help of tools and coaching. Once you become a member you will be able to choose what tier you are most interested in, networking or building your program or both.

 

Benefits include:

Tier 1:

Networking

 

Tier 2:

Building

Includes all of Tier 1, PLUS…

 

Indiana Early Learning Hub
Coaching and Support
  • Access to a resource website that connects childcare providers with a variety of businesses, classroom resources, editable policies, and procedures
  • Share all the benefits of a job board
  • Docs-by-Phone
  • Training resources
  • Connection to state partners
  • Up to 4 hours per month connecting with an early childhood professional for help with general program support, setting program goals, virtually or by phone based on individual needs
Networking Opportunities
Business Coaching
  • Receive updates on upcoming training and funding opportunities
  • Professional development opportunities and innovations in childcare
  • Stay connected with other local programs through monthly cohort meetings
  • Connection to state and local partners in the field
  • In partnership with Civitas Strategies Early Start, providers will have access to coaches that provide essential support for childcare businesses and that work with childcare providers to increase revenue and decrease costs
  • Tax education
  • Securing federal relief funding
  • Budgeting and monitoring cash flow
  • Marketing strategies
Bright by Text
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
  • Provides content from trusted experts to support the “whole child, whole family” approach to early childhood by sending text messages that share:
    • Helpful tips, info, and activities on physical and mental health,
    • Social-emotional wellbeing, safety, brain development, connections, encouragement, and more
  • Programs will have access to menu planning with recipes
  • Computer tools for tracking and documenting meals as well as grocery lists
  • More hands-on assistance
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Child Care Management System (CMS)
  • Get connected to available sponsors for consultations regarding nutrition for your program and assist in diversifying funding to support your program
  • Early Learning Ventures (ELV), a proven software platform which offers child care providers support through their licensing-compliant online childcare management system, Alliance CORE
  • Services include, but not limited to:
    • Online enrollment
    • Attendance tracking
    • Billing assistance
    • Staff and child reminders through apps and two-way communication with families
    • Data analyzation to support the implementation of Child Care Management System
What will my commitment be?

Your commitment will depend on the tier of service you choose.

 

Both tiers require…

  • Completion of application
  • Sign an MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) annually, outlining both parties’ responsibilities and commitments

Tier 2, after signing the MOA, also requires…

  • Be receptive to changes designed to help you grow your business
  • Complete onboarding within the first 90 days
  • Commit up to 10 hours of your first month for onboarding and training
  • Attend quarterly network meetings
What do I have to pay?

Thanks to generous funders, Early Childhood Alliance is able to offer these services for significantly less than it costs to administer them.

Provider Type
Tier 1
Tier 2
Home $157 $600
Facility (Center/School/Ministry)
0-30 children
$177 $622
Facility – 31-60 children $177 $868
Facility – 61+ children $177 $1,218
  • Pricing is based on the licensed/registered capacity per program.
  • Multi-site discounts are available.
What are the qualifications?

You must:

  • Be licensed/certified/registered or in the process of becoming so
  • Have access to a computer or mobile device
Do you have to use technology to participate?

Yes, you must commit to using the software, which will require a computer or mobile device. But don’t worry, you’ll have a dedicated support team to help you out every step of the way.

How often do you have to meet?

Tier 1

Tier 2

We encourage members to participate in their local learning community/director’s roundtable meetings. There will be a monthly check-in with your ECA supports and quarterly network meetings. Our goal is to help you take advantage of the benefits and meet your goals. We want to save you time, so you have more of it with the children.
When can I join?

We are holding free virtual information sessions in November. Sign up here.

Attend an upcoming virtual information session to learn more, register now. CLICK HERE

In Partnership With

IN Early Learning Hub Logo
Early Learning Ventures Logo
Early Learning Indiana Logo