The Central Indiana Child Care Alliance (“the Alliance”), in partnership with United Way of Central Indiana, supports family child care home programs across central Indiana.
This regional shared services initiative gives members access to personalized coaching, business resources, and centralized tools that strengthen their operations, reduce costs and administrative tasks, and help them make informed business decisions. By taking care of the business side of child care, the Alliance helps members save time, grow sustainably, and focus on what matters most: caring for children and supporting families.
Shared services through the Central Indiana Child Care Alliance
What exactly are shared services? Take a few minutes to learn more!
The Evolving Alliance
CCA has spent over a year working with a small group of family child care programs in Marion County to pilot our fiscal, human resources (HR), and marketing services. We listened closely to member feedback and explored the daily challenges of running their child care businesses. Using what we learned, we built and refined a model that truly meets the need of child care professionals and delivers practical business supports to save time, reduce stress, and strengthen programs for the future. Beginning in July 2026, CCA is expanding this opportunity to family child care homes in Hamilton and Boone Counties. Check back soon to see updates, stories, and additional information as we launch and expand shared services to other central Indiana counties!
Running a child care business is hard — especially when you’re doing it alone.Shared services offered through the alliance can provide a number of benefits.
Efficiency
Save time on administrative tasks and paperwork
Knowing your cost of care and reviewing your monthly budget is essential. Alliance staff can take on this work for you, saving 16-18 hours per year! And that's just the start of the time savings the Alliance provides.
Cost Savings
Lower costs through shared purchasing and systems
For example, tier two's coaching and child care management system (CCMS) license would cost you almost $2,400 per year. That's nearly a $1,000 annual savings without even considering our other services.
Sustainability
Create processes that allows child care businesses to thrive long-term
Running your own child care program can be tough - grow your confidence and expertise with business coaching and support!
Focus
Clear the way to focus on children and families
"The Alliance has helped me with several administrative tasks, and it has helped me to spend more time with the children."
- Central Indiana Child Care Alliance Member
Community
Create relationships through networking
With 14 standing networking opportunities and open office sessions per year, you can both connect with peer and expand your knowledge
A growing list
Included services
All members will have access to a standard set of services, listed at right.
In addition, members have three tier options to choose from, depending on their experience, needs, budget, and time availability:
CCA also designed the Alliance services to expand over time. We will launch with a core set of high-impact supports and services, adding additional resources and capabilities as the program evolves.
Cost of care review unique to your program
Access to fiscal, marketing, and HR supports
Fourvirtual open office hours per year
Fourfree networking or professional development events per year
Compliance support hotline
Vendor list of vetted CPR, drug screen, and physical examination locations
Monthly Alliance newsletter
Microsoft Teams access to collaborate with fellow members and Alliance staff
Tier One
$199 $75 introductory rate
Monthly rate, locked in for your first year
10% discount for paying a full year in advance ($810 total) Scholarships may be available
Introductory prices valid through July 31, 2027
101 Training: Business Best Practices
Fiscal
Marketing
HR
Two one-on-one coaching sessions per year per topic
Fiscal
Marketing
HR
Above averages six hours of total topic-focused coaching per year; coaching sessions may be in-person or virtual, depending on your needs
If you operate a licensed family child care home in Hamilton or Boone Counties, CCA invites you to join a growing community of child care professionals who are investing in the long-term success of their businesses. Here’s the process:
Don’t meet this criteria? Don’t worry! CCA will be expanding our services to family child care homes in other central Indiana counties soon. We are also evaluating possibilities to offer a la carte services to centers and ministries in the longer term. Join our mailing list to hear from us when we expand our services!
Application
Fill out our application to tell us more about your program and the services you are interested in. CCA staff will review your application and connect with you to determine the best next step for your program.
If approved, Alliance staff schedule a discovery meeting in-person at your program or virtually, based on your preference. This meeting gives you an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about Alliance services, and determine whether membership is a good fit for your program. Staff will also assess your eligibility for scholarships.
Membership agreement and payment
If you're ready to move forward, you’ll complete your membership agreement and submit payment to officially begin the onboarding process as a new Alliance member!
It was challenging at first to open up my business to an outside entity. But the experience is very rewarding and stretches you to trust and ask for help. It’s a wonderful support system. They truly care about my success.
Alliance pilot member
Getting started
Onboarding as an Alliance member
Once you become a member, you'll need to take a few steps to get into the swing of things. Expect the following:
One of the first and most important steps to creating a sustainable child care business is to understand your true cost of doing business. That’s why we’ll begin our work together by reviewing your program’s cost of care.
You’ll begin the process by submitting information about your program’s enrollment, revenue, and expenses. Our fiscal specialist will then use this information to create a clear picture of:
The real cost of providing care for each child
Whether current tuition rates cover operating expenses
Where revenue gaps may exist
Opportunities to strengthen financial sustainability
These sessions will provide an overview of available services, member expectations, and next steps for engaging with the Alliance. You’ll also learn the basics to get started with the main Alliance topic areas:
Fiscal
Marketing
HR
CCA offers sessions twice per month, with one virtual session and one in-person session (determined by anticipated member locations). You’ll get more specifics about available dates and times once you complete the membership process.
Once you have completed your cost of care analysis and attended orientation, you will be invited to set up a time with one or more of the Alliance’s coaches. Each coach has educational backgrounds and deep expertise in their content area, in addition to experience with central Indiana’s child care system. They will partner with you to understand your child care program’s unique strengths and needs, while helping you identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.
We grow with your child care program
Central Indiana Child Care Alliance Staff
Our mission is to take the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most: caring for children, supporting families, and growing a business you’re proud of. You shouldn’t have to do it all alone — and with the Alliance, you don’t have to. Contact Julie Carey to learn more!
We’ll be expanding over time — and we’re excited to grow with you. If you’re interested in future updates or opportunities, follow us on one of these social media channels!
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