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About Me
For the past twenty years I’ve worked as a consultant, trainer, and advocate on behalf of family and group early childcare providers. Over the years I have spoken to thousands of providers throughout the United States.
Unfortunately, for many providers the day they call me is “the worst day of their lives”. I hear from providers who find themselves in a position, that because of an allegation filed against them, a staff member, or a family member, their lives and their businesses are turned upside down.
I consistently hear “this can’t possibly be happening to me”. Providers tell me a variety of reasons why this can’t be possible. They’ve worked to obtain a CDA, or a degree in childcare. They adhere to regulations. They have a good relationship with their licensor and they have zillions of training hours. They’ve paid to have a mentor or a coach to assure they’ve done everything right. “They have a hundred quality stars for God’s sake”. How can this possibly be happening to them?
Then when it’s my turn to respond I need to tell them that the same type of situation they’re experiencing is occurring with hundreds of ‘great’ credentialed providers across the country every day. I need to remind them that while they operate ‘good’ programs that does not guarantee there will never be allegations or issues that may arise that affect their ability to operate their businesses. It is often hard for providers to accept that because they are caring for children, they are generally NOT given the ‘benefit of the doubt’, regardless of their experience and credentials, during an investigation.
One of my contractual duties includes the representation of early childcare providers at administrative appeal hearings. I’ve seen the often-terrible toll this process takes on providers, their families, and the families of children enrolled in their programs. Although my success rate has been high it still does not completely mitigate the damage to reputations and to financial wellbeing that often occurs.
Because of all of this we have developed this website as a place where early childcare providers can go to access useful training and resources that reflect the reality of owning and operating an early childcare business. I wanted to create a space where providers could find strategies and resources that reflect what they actually do. Operating a proactive, rather than reactive, program can make such a huge difference in the success of your early childcare business. Whether you’ve had issues in the past, or whether you are confidant you will never encounter problems, take a look at the unique resources we’ve developed for you! Come join us and help us make homebased childcare a sustainable profession!
Best,
Sharon Woodward
Rooted in Licensing, Built on Advocacy
With over 20 years of hands-on experience in child care licensing, I’ve dedicated my career to helping family child care providers navigate regulations, grow professionally, and stay protected. As the founder of Woodward Consulting, I bring not only firsthand regulatory insight but also a passion for advocacy, curriculum development, and training that’s grounded in real-world experience.
From Massachusetts Licensor to National Advocate
Before launching my consulting practice, I served as a family child care licensor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. During those 20 years, I:
Training the Trainers and Supporting the Frontlines
Today, I work with organizations like SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and other provider groups across the United States to:
Books and Resources That Advocate for You
My role as an author has allowed me to extend my reach even further. Some of my published works include: