Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative launches year 2 with continued support, proven impact

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 18, 2025) — The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Childcare Initiative is designed to increase access to quality childcare for low- and moderate-income families, with a focused commitment to supporting women-owned small businesses.

Building on the progress of year one, the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED) and Kentucky SBDC received a second $300,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund Grant to fund year two of the program. Additionally, a $50,000 grant from Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) will help deliver curriculum support for childcare providers to achieve key certifications and compliance benchmarks.

“This renewed funding gives us the opportunity to build on a powerful foundation and respond to the growing demand for quality childcare across the state,” said Amanda Kelly, director of small business training for SKED. “In just one year, we’ve seen how strategic business support can empower providers — not just to grow their centers, but to truly elevate the care they offer. The results are real, and the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.”

The Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative combines SKED’s proven training framework with Kentucky SBDC’s comprehensive business coaching services to deliver strategic, technical and educational support to childcare providers. This initiative offers guidance in critical areas such as business planning, financial management and credentialed professional development, as well as assistance in meeting classroom standards.

Additionally, it supports providers in enhancing their Kentucky All STARS quality ratings and in developing effective, age-appropriate curriculum. Through this collaborative approach, the initiative empowers childcare businesses with the tools and resources necessary for sustainable growth and expanded services to families across the Commonwealth.

“Our foundational year of the Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative has been one of development, outreach and meaningful collaboration,” said Michelle Spriggs, center director for the Kentucky SBDC in Eastern Kentucky. “We’ve had the privilege of working alongside passionate childcare providers. These are individuals who don’t do this work for profit, but because they care deeply about the future of our children and our communities. They are, in many ways, the workforce behind all other industries. Without accessible and high-quality childcare, our economy cannot thrive, our small businesses cannot grow and working families cannot succeed.”

“We could not have reached this point without the generous support of Truist and our dedicated partners at SKED. Their belief in this initiative has made it possible to provide critical resources and guidance to those leading the delivery of childhood services. As we move into year two, I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we will continue to build capacity, strengthen businesses, and expand access to quality childcare across Kentucky,” added Spriggs.

The Owl’s Treehouse Childcare & Learning Center 
 
Located in Booneville, Kentucky, the Owl’s Treehouse became the county’s first Type I licensed childcare center, now able to serve 51 children. Led by Owsley County Alliance Recreation and Entertainment (OCARE), the center overcame significant challenges, including renovation delays, equipment funding gaps and a need for business literacy.

With help from the Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative and SKED, the center received comprehensive support: QuickBooks with payroll, hands-on software training, Kentucky All STARS compliant curriculum, operational equipment and financial management guidance. The result is a thriving, licensed center filling a vital community need.

Butterfly Garden Academy
 
Butterfly Garden Academy expanded to a sixth location in Crestwood, Kentucky, bringing its total childcare capacity to more than 450 children in the Louisville area. As the business grew, so did the complexity of managing multiple centers.

With support from the initiative, they adopted QuickBooks with payroll, implemented Brightwheel to streamline curriculum delivery and received training to strengthen both operations and early childhood education quality. This support helped the family-run business continue its mission of serving working families with high-quality care.

This collaboration between SKED and the Kentucky SBDC is the first of its kind in the state, and it has laid the groundwork for a long-term effort to strengthen Kentucky’s childcare infrastructure. Moving forward, the program will continue to develop innovative tools, train new and existing providers, and expand its reach to underserved areas across Kentucky.

About Kentucky SBDC

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been assisting the state’s small business community for more than 40 years. With centers statewide and an experienced and knowledgeable staff, the Kentucky SBDC provides unparalleled business coaching and training services at no cost to help existing business owners and potential entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed.

Kentucky SBDC services include one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, access to market research, loan packaging help, assistance with financial projections and information needed to make informed business decisions.

Kentucky SBDC is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in partnership with regional academic institutions, economic development organizations, the private sector and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

About the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED)

SKED is a 39-year-old nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution that services 45 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Its staff of professionals works with business owners, small and large, to identify financing solutions to fund their location, expansion and working capital needs and provide them with the business counseling and training they need to succeed.

To learn how SKED helps small business owners do business better, visit www.skedcorp.com. To learn more about the Kentucky SBDC, visit https://kentuckysbdc.com.

Kentucky SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA.