CEI Child Care Lab Honors Graduates, Opens 2026 Registration for Providers
CEI Child Care Lab Honors Graduates and Opens 2026 Registration for Providers
The CEI Child Care Business Lab has achieved significant milestones in the 2025 fiscal year. The program saw its alumni establish 15 new child care services, which collectively support 377 children across the state of Maine. Registrations for the 2026 program are now open, with a deadline set for January 9th, 2026.
Program Highlights
- New Services Established: 15 child care services opened between October 2024 and September 2025.
- Children Supported: A total of 377 licensed child care spots created.
- Locations: Services span eight counties, including Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, York (4), and Androscoggin (5).
Since its inception in February 2020, the CEI Child Care Business Lab has enabled the opening of 50 child care providers, accommodating a total of 1,027 children. The program’s flexibility in tailoring solutions to community-specific needs is a key differentiator from other national initiatives. Among the newly launched services, eight are home-based, six are center-based, and one operates as a nursery school.
Diverse Entrepreneurial Landscape
The new child care providers are owned by a variety of entities, including solo entrepreneurs, cooperatives, nonprofits, and tribal governments. Katelyn Gervais, an alumna of the program from Jay, Maine, shared her experience stating, “CEI’s Child Care Business Lab helped me realize that owning my own child care can become a reality. They supported me from licensing to establishing business connections.”
2026 Participations and Licensing Program
The Child Care Business Lab’s Get Licensed program equips participants with essential tools to navigate the complexities of starting a child care service. This no-cost program includes:
- Guidance in preparing licensing applications.
- Creation of business plans and financial forecasts.
- Free one-on-one business advising, enhancing financial sustainability.
Eligible applicants can be interested in either family child care or facility-based care. Most sessions are conducted online via Zoom, complemented by two in-person learning days. The next cohort commences in April 2026, and those wishing to enroll must submit their registration by the January 9th deadline at 5:00 PM.
About CEI
Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution dedicated to fostering equitable economic growth. CEI combines finance, business expertise, and policy solutions to support small business ownership and promote sustainable economic development in Maine. Over its 48-year history, CEI has facilitated over $19 million in financing for more than 300 child care businesses, generating or preserving over 6,000 child care slots.
For more information about the CEI Child Care Business Lab and to register for the upcoming program, visit El-Balad.
