Franklin-Based U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Expands Virginia’s Childcare Workforce
Through Innovative Apprenticeship and Home-Based Infrastructure
“Virginia-based organization redefines early childhood education by integrating workforce development, entrepreneurship, and regulated Approved Childhood Development Home systems.”
FRANKLIN, Va. — May 12, 2026 — U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes, a Virginia Department of Education-licensed Family Day System, is advancing a statewide initiative to strengthen Virginia’s childcare workforce, expand access to quality home-based childcare, and create entrepreneurship opportunities through its Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Founded by Nicole Ahmad, U-LAUNCH operates through an integrated ecosystem consisting of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes (CDH) and U-LAUNCH: IT LLC, doing business as U-LAUNCH: CEO Academy, the organization’s Related Technical Instruction (RTI) Provider for the CEO Registered Apprenticeship Program. Together, the organizations combine regulated Approved Childhood Development Homes with workforce development, entrepreneurship, and apprenticeship training to prepare childcare professionals for business ownership while expanding childcare capacity across Virginia.
“Childcare is workforce infrastructure,” said Nicole Ahmad, Founder and Director of Operations of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes. “Our model prepares childcare professionals to become business owners while helping working families gain greater access to quality childcare. By strengthening the people who provide childcare, we strengthen Virginia’s workforce and economy.”
Virginia continues to face childcare shortages that impact working families, employers, and local economies. U-LAUNCH believes expanding professionally supported home-based childcare businesses offers a practical solution by increasing childcare availability while creating sustainable career pathways for early childhood professionals.
Unlike traditional childcare training programs, the Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) Registered Apprenticeship Program combines paid on-the-job training with Related Technical Instruction (RTI) delivered by U-LAUNCH: CEO Academy, entrepreneurship, business development, and operational support. Apprentices develop the Virginia Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals while preparing to establish regulated Approved Childhood Development Homes within their communities.
As a Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA)-approved Registered Apprenticeship Program, U-LAUNCH is also creating career opportunities for eligible veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. By helping participants establish regulated home-based childcare businesses, the organization seeks to expand quality childcare options for military and civilian families while supporting workforce participation and military readiness across the Commonwealth.
U-LAUNCH continues collaborating with workforce organizations, community colleges, economic development partners, and community stakeholders to build a scalable model connecting childcare, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility throughout Virginia.
For more information about U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes, the Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) Registered Apprenticeship Program, or partnership opportunities, visit www.ulaunchit.com.
Media Contact
Nicole Ahmad, MS
Founder & Director of Operations
U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes
📞 571-552-2793
🌐 www.ulaunchit.com