Feb 6, 2023, 5:25 PM ETConference Presentation, Keynote

Investing in Child Care Entrepreneurs

Workforce Participation: Since 1977, 1,300 additional mothers with children aged zero to four have entered the workforce, yet 48% of workers quit jobs in 2021 specifically due to childcare issues.
Economic Losses: Annual economic losses from childcare deficits total approximately $40 billion in individual earnings, $13 billion in business revenue, and $7 billion in lost tax revenue.
Workforce Contraction: The childcare workforce shrank by 8.4% relative to pre-pandemic levels since February 2020, while other private sector and non-farm employment categories have fully recovered.
Access Gaps: Despite billions in annual federal spending on early childhood education, 51% of Americans reside in "childcare deserts" lacking sufficient licensed supply.

Critical Development Window: 90% of brain development occurs between ages zero and five, making early childhood care a primary driver of long-term outcomes.
Skill Acquisition: Socialization and play in early childhood correlate with higher levels of empathy, resilience, healthier habits, and pro-social behavior in adulthood.
At-Risk Impact: High-quality childcare programs yield significant long-term benefits specifically for at-risk youth populations.

Strategic Pivot: The organization rejects capital-intensive infrastructure (new buildings/schools) in favor of empowering home-based childcare providers to operate as profitable micro-enterprises.
Platform Scale: The network currently connects 45,000 childcare programs, employs 100 staff members, and has secured $50 million in venture capital from investors including Andreessen Horowitz.
Provider Empowerment: Technology tools reduce paperwork and administrative burdens, allowing providers to focus on safety, development, and parent communication.
Licensing Efficiency: The model accelerates provider onboarding and licensing from years to weeks through state partnerships in Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, and Nebraska.

Parental Requirements: Consumer data identifies high demand for flexible hours, varied curriculum styles, and programs located within a one-mile radius.
State Partnerships:
- Michigan: Focused on creating new programs and data collection for fund allocations.
- Nevada: Developing new programs and supporting existing ones with sound business practices.
- New Mexico: Serving as a consumer-friendly search engine for parents while creating and supporting programs.
Individual Case Success (Nini Yardin): A former preschool teacher earning under $30,000 annually utilized the platform to launch a French immersion home program, resulting in fourfold income growth, relocation to a larger property, and the hiring of an assistant in 2022.

Investment Thesis: The organization advocates for public and private investment targeting childcare entrepreneurs rather than traditional infrastructure to solve access gaps.
Scalability Goal: The stated objective is to build the world's largest childcare network, positioning providers as well-equipped small business entrepreneurs.
Systemic Vision: The speaker asserts that empowering educators creates solutions close to home, ensuring every child receives a complete start to life through community-based care.