In this edition of “On the Move,” we’re excited to spotlight the impactful work and milestones achieved by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) in November and December. From engaging with city leaders at national conferences to participating in key panels shaping early childhood policy, our members and staff have been at the forefront of advocacy and collaboration. These highlights reflect NAFCC’s continued dedication to elevating family child care educators, fostering meaningful connections, and driving quality care across the nation.
Building Connections Through FCC Meet-Ups
NAFCC hosted a Meet-Up in Florida, where Francia Wisnewski, M.Ed., NAFCC’s Director of Membership, collaborated with the Florida Family Child Care Home Association, Inc., to create a vibrant space for collaboration and community-building. The event brought together Family Child Care Educators to network, share ideas, and connect with early childhood education agencies dedicated to supporting their work. These gatherings highlight NAFCC’s dedication to empowering educators and strengthening partnerships that uplift family child care nationwide.
Reaching out to our NAFCC community is the heartbeat of our organization. In Anaheim, CA, NAFCC hosted a vibrant Meet and Greet that brought together Family Child Care Educators for an evening of networking and professional growth. Led by Dezire’e Mattocks, Ed.S., NAFCC’s Director of Professional Development, and supported by Dr. Ellaine Miller, NAFCC Board President, Yessika Magdeleno, NAFCC Board Member, and Tessie Ragan, NAFCC State Representative, the event fostered meaningful connections and celebrated the power of collaboration.
Proudly sponsored by Walden University, this gathering emphasized NAFCC’s dedication to providing resources and opportunities that empower educators to enhance their impact in early childhood education. Together, we exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and strengthened the collective capacity of the family child care community.
Inspiring Excellence in Family Child Care
On Saturday, November 2, the Maryland State Family Child Care Association (MSFCCA) hosted its 31st Annual Conference in Columbia, Maryland, under the theme “Child Care Advancement Network Building Educators (CCANBE).” This theme celebrated the vibrant journey of learning, growth, and community in the field of family child care.
NAFCC Executive Director Erica Phillips delivered a powerful keynote address, “Unlocking Your Path to Excellence,” inspiring attendees with actionable strategies for professional growth and achieving excellence in family child care. Her keynote highlighted NAFCC’s dedication to empowering educators and advancing the field through impactful leadership, advocacy, and professional development. This event exemplified the collective commitment to elevating family child care and supporting educators on their journey to excellence.
Sparking Innovation for Family Child Care
The NAFCC Leadership Team recently gathered in Massachusetts for a dynamic session of strategic planning and fellowship. This retreat provided an opportunity to reflect on the evolving needs of Family Child Care Educators and brainstorm innovative ways to support their work. From enhancing professional development resources to advocating for increased investments in the childcare sector, the team laid the groundwork for impactful initiatives that will empower educators and strengthen the field nationwide.
National League of Cities Conference Presentation
Erica Phillips had the honor of presenting on home-based family child care at the National League of Cities conference, engaging with city leaders from across the country. The National League of Cities (NLC) is an organization comprised of city, town and village leaders that are focused on improving the quality of life for their current and future constituents. During her presentation, Erica elevated the power of family child care to city level leaders from across the country. This critical conversation highlighted the essential role of family child care in supporting communities and ensuring equitable access to quality child care nationwide.
Child Care Innovation Summit Panelist
NAFCC participated in a distinguished panel at the Child Care Innovation Summit, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and EPIC. Joined by the Council for Professional Recognition, NAEYC, Third Bloom Consulting, and Urban Sprouts, they explored innovative solutions to advance child care and elevate the family child care profession.
Prenatal to Three Conference in Denver
At the Prenatal to Three conference, themed “Great Progress, Great Opportunities,” NAFCC presented alongside Sheryl Hutzenbiler from the MT Family Child Care Network and Deetra Stewart from the Nevada FCC Association. Together, we underscored the value of home-based family child care in fostering early childhood development and strengthening families.
California Visit
Yesy Robles-Brown recently attended a powerful convening in Palm Springs, California, bringing together cross-sector leaders dedicated to enhancing support for children, families, and child care educators. The gathering focused on forming a collaborative network to amplify the voices of these key stakeholders and strengthen resources for child care. This impactful event shows the importance of collective action in shaping a brighter future for families and educators.
Elevating Family Child Care: Advocacy and Collaboration at NAEYC
Dezire’e Mattocks, Ed.S., Director of Professional Development at NAFCC, joined Tessie Ragan, Family Child Care Educator and Consultant at Perfect Start Learning, and Yessika Magdaleno, Founder of the Child Care Business Institute, at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference in Anaheim, California. Together, they led a session titled “Realistic Expectations and Partnering with Family Child Care Community Educators,” offering practical strategies in advocacy, public policy, and collaboration. Their expertise highlighted the critical role of family child care educators and provided actionable insights to strengthen partnerships within the early childhood education community.
Welcome to the NAFCC Family
We are thrilled to announce the newest members of our team! Godfred Brobbey has joined our Accreditation team, BriAnne Moline is supporting Professional Development, Lolita Jerido serves as our Director of Development, Ronald Jarrett has joined the Policy team, and Lori Poag is our new Communications Manager. Their collective expertise and passion will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of supporting family child care educators nationwide. Each brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to excellence in their respective areas of focus.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Godfred, BriAnne, Lolita, Ronald, and Lori as they embark on this exciting journey with NAFCC! Together, we look forward to driving meaningful impact in the family child care community. Learn more: https://nafcc.org/about-us/
