Know

Take a moment to think about your current position. What parts of your job bring you the most joy? What aspects of your position do you struggle with or find challenging? What is it about your position that keeps you in the field despite those challenges? Is it the people you work with or the families you serve? Is it the financial or health care benefits that come with the position? Is it the flexibility of your schedule or simply knowing you are making a difference in the world?

Family child care providers are an important part of the early care and education network. High-quality FCC programming not only supports children’s learning and development but also supports working families by increasing the availability of child care. As you learned in Lesson One, FCC providers face unique challenges, and as a result there has been a drastic decrease in the number of FCC providers in the United States. In fact, the number of small, licensed FCC homes decreased 48% from 2005 to 2017 (Administration for Children & Families, 2019). To recruit new FCC providers and retain existing providers, it is critical that FCC coordinators not only understand the unique experiences and challenges of FCC providers but also what factors help to keep them in the field and how to advocate for and best support providers.

Benefits to Becoming a Family Child Care Provider

Research on family child care often focuses on the challenges that providers experience, including low or unpredictable income, lack of benefits, lack of business supports, increased competition, declining enrollment, long hours, isolation, and a lack of respect for or recognition of the profession. However, providers also report many benefits to owning an FCC home. As you think about ways to retain quality FCC providers, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the many benefits of owning and operating an FCC home. When recruiting new FCC providers for your installation, be sure to highlight the following benefits:

• Owning a profitable business and identifying as a business owner.
• Flexibility in creating your own schedule, hours, and days off.
• Ability to create your own policies, terms, and contracts.
• No commute to work and enjoy the personal benefits of working from home.
• Ability to spend more time with your own children and reduce the cost of child care for your family.
• Ability to choose with whom you work.
• Capacity to build long-term relationships and bonds with children and families.
• Customize your program by specifying the age groups served.
• Access to an abundance of military resources (coaching support, free training, lending library, etc.).
• Access to regular training and professional development opportunities.
• Support to obtain national accreditation through the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) and/or CDA certification.
• Access to certified backup providers.
• Ability to transfer your career to another installation with minimal interruption.
• Providing support to children, families, and the larger community.
• Serve military families by providing their children with education opportunities.

What Factors Help Keep Family Child Care Providers in the Field?

There are both challenges and benefits to becoming an FCC provider. As discussed in Lesson Three, when thinking about recruiting and retention strategies, your role as the FCC coordinator is to be transparent about this type of work and to understand what motivates potential providers. Understanding these individual motivators will help you to know what aspects to emphasize when you are recruiting potential providers. Recruiting new providers to meet child care demands is important, but retaining high-quality providers is equally important. We know from research that there are certain factors or supports that motivate providers to stay in the field and continue this important work.

Sufficient Funding and Incentives

Family child care providers are more likely to stay in the field and continue owning and operating their child care business when they have sufficient funding, resources, and incentives available to help offset the cost of running a business out of their home. Furnishing an FCC home with materials and toys that support children of various ages, and offering healthy foods during mealtimes, can be substantial costs for those providing care out of their homes. As the FCC coordinator, you can guide and encourage providers to access the resources and incentives available to them to help offset some of these costs. For example, encourage providers to visit the FCC lending library to furnish their program or rotate toys and materials, share information about available subsidy programs, explain the benefits and requirements of participation in CACFP, and support them in preparing for national accreditation and accessing any funds available to cover accreditation expenses. In addition to funding and resources, there are other incentives that help support FCC providers and the quality of their programs. For example, offering free professional development online or during times that do not interfere with operating hours, training vouchers and scholarships for continued professional development, financial incentives to order materials and supplies to support quality improvements, or relocation bonuses for providers who move their FCC business due to a permanent change of station. Additionally, incentives may encourage providers to offer specialty care, such as after-hours care, and they promote longevity in the field. When providers are supported in multiple ways, they are more likely to maintain their FCC businesses.

Partnerships With Other Providers and Programs

Research indicates that FCC homes often receive fewer resources and less support than center-based child care programs. However, FCC providers that have formed partnerships with other providers and community programs feel more supported and successful. Partnerships with other providers might involve supporting each other and acting as backup providers during emergencies, unexpected illnesses, or vacations. FCC coordinators can help support these partnerships by auditing the availability of substitute providers who can come to another provider’s home and provide care to the enrolled children. Knowing the availability of providers on the installation that do drop-in care, creating a system to document a provider’s availability, and pairing providers up to support each other during these times is beneficial to providers and families. This allows providers to feel less stressed when these instances occur and for continuity of care for children and families.

As the FCC coordinator, you can also help to facilitate partnerships with other programs in the community. For example, you can help coordinate a partnership between a group of FCC providers and the local library or community center so that providers can access spaces to engage children in activities outside the home. Partnerships with the local or state family child care association, local resource and referral agency, and community colleges each have unique professional development benefits associated with them as well. Additionally, you could coordinate with a local agency or tax expert to provide training, resources, and support to providers around filing taxes for their business. These partnerships or networks of providers allow for sharing services related to training, record keeping, and space to engage children and families.

Networking and Peer Support

Family child care providers are usually the only caregiver in the FCC home, and they often feel isolated and lack peer support. Family child care providers feel more supported and competent in their work when they can communicate, collaborate, and share ideas with other FCC providers who have similar experiences. As the FCC coordinator, you can combat some of the isolation that providers experience and help to keep them in the field by intentionally creating opportunities for providers to get together and network. For example, consider hosting an in-person orientation for new providers so they can network with others who are also beginning the certification process, or consider scheduling monthly dinners or team-building activities. Planned social events like special dinners, brunches, festivals, or back-to-school bashes give providers a sense of belonging and help them to establish connections to other professionals. Encourage providers to plan activities together and meet at the park, library, or community center. As the FCC coordinator, you can also work with your installation, state, territory, or tribe to promote provider-led associations and peer networks. Encourage providers to lead or become members of associations, such as the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), that allow providers to get to know other providers and engage in peer-learning specifically geared toward FCC programs.

Professional Development Opportunities

Family child care providers need training and coaching that is designed to meet their specific needs to grow as professionals. Specific training needs might include caring for mixed-age groups, child development from birth to school age, business management and administration, or designing an FCC environment. The Virtual Lab School Family Child Care track includes 15 foundational courses specific to FCC providers. Effective professional development also includes mentoring by seasoned FCC providers and coaching by someone that specifically understands FCC programming. Providers need professional development opportunities to be available at times that are supportive of their schedules. As the FCC coordinator, work with the Training & Curriculum Specialist (T&CS) to ensure that training opportunities and coaching meet your providers' needs and are easy for them to access.

Transparency and Gathering Providers’ Input

Most, though not all, FCC providers participate in some type of regulatory system—they are registered, licensed, certified, or monitored by the state or other governing body. Many providers are monitored for compliance across several regulatory systems, including state licensing regulations, military-affiliated FCC certification and inspection criteria, and compliance with the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). For military family child care, all providers participate in regulatory systems. Participating in a regulatory system offers benefits such as access to resources, coaching, technical assistance, and professional development. While regulations and inspection criteria are important and necessary, FCC providers may experience significant challenges and require additional support translating and implementing these in their program. Providers feel more at ease and supported when FCC coordinators are transparent about the inspection and compliance process. When providers are first getting started, share with them how often you will be visiting their home, observing their practices, and monitoring for compliance. It is helpful to show the provider the inspection criteria and CACFP requirements so that they have an idea of what monitors will be looking for and can be successful in the process. When you are transparent about this process, you demonstrate that you are coming from a place of support. Additionally, inspection criteria and regulations are often revised as we learn more about health, safety, and child development practices. One way to support FCC providers in this process is by gathering feedback from providers on how new or updated regulations affect their ability to maintain compliance and operate successful businesses. This helps providers feel supported and gives them a voice on significant changes that affect their businesses. Before making regulatory or inspection updates, consider the following approaches:

• Gather provider input early in the process.
• Use multiple methods for gathering feedback.
• Discuss best practices during provider meetings and devise ideas together.
• Conduct a fiscal analysis to determine the fiscal impact of the proposed change.
• Train monitors or inspectors to be sensitive to the diversity and uniqueness of FCC providers.
• Provide training, coaching, and time to come into compliance.

Coaching Family Child Care Providers

Practice-based coaching is an effective source of professional development for center-based staff, FCC providers, and program leaders. Effective coaching happens within the context of a collaborative partnership between a coach and a provider and involves setting goals, observing practices, reflection, and feedback. You can learn more about practice-based coaching and how to use the Virtual Lab School to effectively coach FCC providers in the Focused Topics course, Using the VLS: Coaching to Enhance Practice. Regardless of the context, coaching is about changing the thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and practices of adults. As an FCC coordinator, you may work with a Training & Curriculum Specialist (T&CS) to provide coaching support, or you may be responsible for providing coaching to providers. Coaching may be centered around specific practices related to caring for children or it may involve practices related to completing required paperwork, documentation, and business operations. When coaching FCC providers, it is important to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the FCC setting. While the same great coaching principles mentioned above apply, it is important to consider the unique characteristics of FCC programming when establishing a coaching relationship and providing coaching support. Consider the following as you think about coaching and supporting FCC providers:

• Family child care providers wear multiple hats (caregiver, parent, homeowner, business owner, cook, etc.) and often work alone. Knowing that their time might be limited, it can be helpful to be flexible regarding when coaching takes place. Your coaching relationship will be more successful if you work with the provider to arrange a time that works best for them.
• Providing coaching support to an employee of a child care center is different from providing coaching to someone who owns and operates their own business. While some coaching will be centered around elements such as developmentally appropriate practices, activity plans, and guidance and discipline, a key difference is that you will likely have to provide mentoring and coaching around business operations such as record keeping, tax training, contract development, payment scheduling, and balancing schedules and tasks of owning a business with family life. Coaching and mentoring will have to be individualized and framed around the fact that the provider creates their own policies and procedures for operating their business.
• Unlike most center-based child care, FCC homes typically involve mixed-age groups, with providers caring for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children throughout the day. Providers are faced with the challenge of knowing developmentally appropriate expectations and how to best support children's learning and development in multiple age groups. It is important to provide training and coaching support that encourages program improvement strategies across all age groups.
• Compared to center-based facilities, technology and resources might be limited in some FCC homes. It is possible that some providers may have limited access to computers, tablets, printers, or the internet. It is important for those providing coaching and support to understand what technology is available to the provider so that they can plan accordingly. Consider how information might be shared (such as via emailed resources or printed handouts) if technology is limited or the provider’s comfort with using technology is limited. Funding for program improvements, including new materials and equipment, may also be limited. Consider ways that providers can access startup funds or resources and equipment that may be available to borrow or rent. You can also help providers think creatively about low- or no-cost improvements and how to maximize available resources.
• Providers are working in their home, so it is important that FCC coordinators are aware of cultural considerations, respectful of the space, and attuned to the norms of the home where they will be providing coaching and mentoring. Remember that a provider’s place of business is also their home, and the rules and procedures they instill in their space should be followed. For example, you and the T&CS should be aware of practices such removing shoes when entering. While you want to ensure that providers have the materials and furniture that they need to operate their family child care, it should still be functional to their family's lifestyle and still feel like a home. The goal is not to create a mini center but rather to create a warm, welcoming, and safe environment with appropriate and engaging materials and activities.
• Family child care providers often experience isolation due to the lack of adult interaction throughout the day. You and the T&CS should build time into your schedules to connect with providers regularly. Providers should see you for more than inspections and compliance. Weekly or monthly check-ins help build relationships and create a culture of support. In addition to regular visits to the home, coaches should consider alternate ways of delivering coaching support. For example, coaches might consider providing individual coaching to the provider as well as opportunities for group coaching with other FCC providers. Creating a community of learners or an FCC network will offer providers another avenue to gather feedback and support around their practices.
• One of the benefits of FCC programming is the strong relationships that providers form with children and families because of their extended time together. As you coach and mentor providers, it is important to honor the in-depth knowledge and relationships that the provider has with the children and families they serve.

Making Family Child Care Providers’ Work Visible

Celebrating the accomplishments of FCC providers and making their work visible to others in the community demonstrates appreciation and can enhance providers’ job satisfaction and promote their well-being. Just as children’s accomplishments should be celebrated, you also want to recognize the talents and contributions of those who provide high-quality care to military children and families. When you make providers’ work visible to the community, you demonstrate that you respect and value their contributions, which in turn builds providers’ trust, confidence, and sense of competence in their work. When you make intentional efforts to represent FCC providers’ work in your community, you communicate the value of this type of care to families. Increasing the visibility of FCC programs on your installation supports providers, increases family awareness of this type of care, and can help recruit new providers to the field. The following are some suggestions for celebrating FCC providers’ talents and making their work visible in the community:

• Provider appreciation awards: Invite providers and families to attend a potluck to celebrate and show appreciation to the providers. Consider requesting the attendance of the Commander to recognize the provider on their installation.
• Newsletters: Send out an FCC newsletter to acknowledge providers’ accomplishments, good work, and efforts.
• Showcase providers’ work: Highlight specific programs or providers by including a Program Spotlight or Provider Spotlight on a bulletin board, in a newsletter, or in the local newspaper.
• Art gala event: Host a community art gala to showcase different pieces of artwork created in FCC programs.
• Photo books or slideshows: Create booklets or slideshows using photographs of activities and interactions from FCC homes to share at community events.
• College and high school visits: Highlight the work of FCC providers at the local community college or high school technical program or career fairs.
• Talent night or workshop: Host events where providers can share their talents with other providers by delivering a hands-on, interactive workshop (e.g., a provider may host a cooking workshop on preparing child-friendly nutritious meals).
• Tokens of appreciation: Deliver a thank-you note or a small treat to a provider’s home, recognizing their work or illustrating your appreciation. For military family child care, request that the Commander provide a letter of appreciation or a Commander’s coin.
• Provider Appreciation Day: Consider thoughtful ways to celebrate Provider Appreciation Day which falls on the Friday before Mother’s Day.

See

To recruit new family child care providers and retain existing providers, it is critical that FCC coordinators not only understand the unique experiences and challenges of FCC providers but also what factors help to keep them in the field and how to advocate for and best support their work. In the following videos, listen as community child care coordinators describe the ways they help facilitate peer networks, create a sense of belonging and community, and make the work of the FCC providers on their installations visible.

To learn more about what coaching might look like in family child care, see the videos embedded throughout the Training & Curriculum Specialist track.

Do

Strategies you can implement to help mentor, support, and retain quality FCC providers include:

• Understanding the benefits and challenges of becoming an FCC provider and be transparent when recruiting new providers.
• Encouraging providers to become a member of an FCC association or peer network.
• Encouraging providers to engage each other for support and to plan activities together.
• Sharing funding opportunities, incentives, and resources for program improvements.
• Providing tools, resources, and support to providers to help with developing schedules, policies, and contracts for their business.
• Understanding and communicating the subsidies that are permitted and offered within your Service.
• Sharing systems with providers to balance their business and family life.
• Getting to know providers and share their strengths and talents with families, leadership, community members, and other providers.