NAFCC “On the Move” (October 2024 Highlights)

In this month’s edition of “On the Move,” we proudly showcase the impactful work of our National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) members and staff as they advocate for family child care on a national scale. From insightful panels on early childhood policy to collaborative events that strengthen connections within the child care community, NAFCC is leading efforts to support and elevate family child care educators. This edition highlights key events and initiatives that demonstrate our unwavering commitment to advancing quality care and fostering support for family child care providers nationwide.

NAFCC ED Visits New Mexico FCC Program

While on a trip to New Mexico, Erica Phillips, stopped by the FCC program of Shawnee Erskine. Her program, called Dragonfly Learning Center, which is located just outside Taos, serves as an oasis for young children and lifeline for families in a rural community.

NAFCC featured in Robert Wood Johnson Foundation webinar on Building Collective Action in Caregiving Through Narrative and Policy

Erica Phillips recently joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Every Family Forward’s Live Conversation, “Building Collective Action for Caregiving: Bridging Narrative and Policy,” where she shared critical insights on the role of family child care in driving collective action within caregiving. She emphasized the importance of uniting policy and narrative to create systemic support for family child care educators and the families they serve.

NAFCC Featured in Hunt Institute “Partnering for Success: Family Child Care and Public Preschool in Early Childhood Education

During The Hunt Institute’s webinar, “Partnering for Success: Family Child Care and Public Preschool in Early Childhood Education,” Erica Phillips shared her expertise on building partnerships between family child care educators and public preschool systems. Her discussion focused on innovative collaboration models that enhance early childhood education while supporting diverse family needs.

NAFCC Hosts Meet and Greet in Orlando

At a recent meet-and-greet in Orlando, Florida, NAFCC Director of Membership Francia Wisnewski, Affiliate Leader Executive Director of the FFCCHA Tammy Tenner, NAFCC State Representative Cynthia Chipp and Accreditation Council President Annette Eberhart brought family child care educators together for a meaningful exchange. Attendees connected with Francia, explored the benefits of NAFCC membership and shared their perspectives on key issues facing the field.

NAFCC Strengthens Partnerships at the 2024 Early Educators Leadership Council

From October 16-19, 2024, Zakenya P. Neely, NAFCC’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Market Solutions, represented our organization at the Council for Professional Recognition’s Early Educators Leadership Council in Washington, DC. This year’s conference theme, Igniting Innovation in Early Childhood: From Passion to Action, set a powerful tone, focusing on the pivotal role of innovation in advancing early childhood education.

The conference presented a unique opportunity for NAFCC to deepen our partnership with the Council for Professional Recognition, one of the nation’s leading organizations in early childhood credentialing and professional development. Through dynamic sessions and collaborative discussions, the event emphasized innovation-driven strategies and transformative ideas to support Family Child Care (FCC) educators in their professional growth, advocacy efforts, and daily impact. The collaborative spirit at the conference sparked meaningful conversations about advancing policies, fostering continuous professional development, and ensuring that FCC educators are equipped to thrive in today’s evolving educational landscape.

NAFCC Leadership Team Advances Professional Growth through Harvard’s Innovation Cohort

At the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), our commitment to advancing professional growth and innovation in early learning remains stronger than ever. Recently, three dedicated members of the NAFCC Leadership Team—Zakenya P. Neely, Dezire’e Mattocks, and Andrea Maldonado—had the exceptional opportunity to attend Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education Professional Education program. They participated in the Everyday Innovation for Early Learning Leadership Cohort, a prestigious initiative focused on empowering leaders in early childhood education to drive positive, impactful change.

The cohort at Harvard brought together leaders from diverse early childhood backgrounds, fostering collaboration on creative approaches to early learning and the development of solutions for real-world challenges in family child care. By engaging with the latest research, best practices, and innovation strategies, Zakenya, Dezire’e, and Andrea deepened their expertise in exploring actionable insights and tools to enhance their leadership skills, and strengthen NAFCC’s mission of supporting family child care professionals nationwide.

Participating in this esteemed program underscores NAFCC’s dedication to nurturing leaders who bring innovative thinking and forward-looking strategies to early childhood education. We are proud of our team members’ accomplishments at Harvard and look forward to the fresh perspectives and inspired approaches they will bring to NAFCC’s efforts to elevate the standards and recognition of family child care providers.