Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
Melissa Trejo Sorahan didn’t realize Grand Island, Nebraska, had such a large need for more child care centers until she had to find one for her own child.
A certified nursing assistant and medication aide, Melissa worked in health care for years. When she was pregnant with her youngest son, she learned firsthand how difficult it was to find quality day care services that were open during the late-night shifts she often had to work at nursing homes.
She decided to start her own in-home day care business, and in the process, help others who had tricky work schedules. On her birthday in April 2025, she opened Melissa’s Daycare.
“Opening my day care has been amazing,” Melissa said. “I have been able to make ends meet while keeping my son home with me.”
Melissa had taken a few courses in early childhood education and babysat for family and friends before she started her business, but once she got going, she wanted to learn more about operating a child care center.
To get more in-depth business training, Melissa participated in the Childcare Accelerator Award Program presented by the Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center (WBC), Stearns Bank, and the Association of Women's Business Centers. The Center’s WBC was among seven across the country selected to serve as accelerator hubs and to receive grant funding.
Designed to help licensed child care providers scale their operations, expand services, and improve sustainability in their communities, the program included 10 Nebraska child care providers. They engaged in hands-on training sessions and gained personalized technical assistance and guidance in financial services. Participants also received a stipend through the program to use to upgrade their businesses.
“This opportunity has helped me so much,” Melissa said. “I learned a lot on the business side, like how to do the taxes and bookkeeping properly. I was also able to purchase a van and car seats so we can venture out of the house for fun, educational experiences beyond the day care.”
Melissa serves 16 families, seven days a week. Occasionally, her mom or three older daughters help, but otherwise she runs the day care on her own.
In the year she’s been open, Melissa has learned about more than the technical side of running a business. She’s discovered setting boundaries with her clients can be part of a successful operation as well.
“My heart often gets the best of me and I have a hard time standing up and saying no or holding a person to what I put in my contract, like charging late fees when I don’t get paid on time,” Melissa said.
But she realizes how important quality child care is, and she is grateful she can make a difference and contribute positively to her community.
“If people don't have dependable day care, they aren't able to work or keep their job to provide for their family,” she said. “I love teaching the kids and being there for them. Some of them don't have stable lives and struggle. I have provided so much more than just day care.”
Participating in the Childcare Accelerator Program opened Melissa’s eyes to her business’s potential. Eventually, she plans to explore more grant opportunities, and she hopes to remodel the basement of her home so she can expand her business and have more room for activities for the kids.
“There is so much to learn [when running a business],” Melissa said. “I truly appreciate this opportunity, and I can’t say thank you enough.”
The Childcare Accelerator Program was made possible by Stearns Bank in partnership with the Association of Women's Business Centers. The Nebraska program is held in partnership with Sixpence Early Learning Fund and Nebraska Educational Service Units. The Childcare Accelerator Award Program ran from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13, 2025.
For more information, visit cfra.org/small-business-training.
