Zosia Eppensteiner

MARQUETTE — Childcare SPARK is now accepting applications from individuals interested in opening a home-based childcare business, the Marquette County Childcare Coalition announced Wednesday. 

The program, now in its second year, is designed to support Marquette County residents who are passionate about early childhood development and want to make a difference in their community while earning income from home. It was developed by the Community Foundation of Marquette county, Great Start to Quality, the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Marquette-Alger RESA and Regionerate as a collaboration among local organizations working to solve the area’s childcare challenges. 

Participants in Childcare SPARK receive step-by-step support in becoming licensed in-home childcare providers. The program offers guidance from local business development experts, experienced childcare providers, and early childhood education professionals. When participates complete the program and become licensed, they help to expand access to quality childcare for families in Marquette, Baraga, Gogebic, Ontonagon, Mackinac and Dickinson counties. 

Applications are now being accepted for current programming, and new classes will remain open until the remaining spots are filled.

“Focusing on in-home [childcare providers] allows us to spread the slots across the Upper Peninsula, placing them closer to where people live,” said Christopher Germain, CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, in a press release. “In-home has a lower start-up cost and provides an opportunity for families to generate additional income using an existing asset: their home. In addition, having more childcare slots available will support the business community by allowing parents currently lacking childcare options to rejoin the workforce.”

Zosia Eppensteiner, CEO of the Community Foundation of Marquette County, added, “The Childcare SPARK program teaches childcare providers the specific requirements to open home-based and family childcare centers, along with the business and financial skills necessary to maintain and grow their businesses. This accelerator empowers early childhood providers to grow their confidence and skills around the business of early childhood education in an approachable and community-focused way.”

To learn more about the program and apply for class acceptance, please visit childcarespark.com.