Written by Eboni Delaney, Director of Policy and Movement Building For Kathryn Baker, family child care began with family. After graduating from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Kathryn began managing a retail store. Meanwhile, her husband had started caring for friends’ children while their parents worked. What began as helping a few…
Federal child care policy activity continues to move quickly in Congress and across federal agencies. Below is a snapshot of major developments impacting family child care (FCC) educators, children, and families, along with updates on legislation aligned with the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Policy Priorities. Federal Policy Updates Two Bipartisan Child Care…
The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is concerned about the impact the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule will have on family child care educators, the families they serve, and the long-term stability of the child care system. While we welcome opportunities for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide…
Written by Eboni Delaney, Director of Policy and Movement Building When Chantal and Harold Hinds first learned they were pregnant, one of the first pieces of advice they received was a recommendation for a family child care program. “After the congratulations, it was, you have to take your baby to our child care provider.” The…
In Response to the President’s Budget Proposal and Recent Comments on Child Care Last Friday, April 3, the Administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2027. The proposal offers little for young children and their families. In fact, aside from eliminating the Preschool Development Grants Birth to Five program—which supports the coordination and improvement…
Federal policymakers are currently considering several proposals that could significantly change how child care subsidy programs operate nationwide. While many of these proposals are framed as efforts to increase accountability or prevent improper payments, the approaches being discussed could create new barriers for family child care (FCC) educators and the families who rely on them.…
Written by Eboni Delaney, Director of Policy and Movement Building When asked why she chose family child care, Lenise Parker answers without hesitation: “Family child care chose me.” It is a response that defines her entire approach to the field, blending her deep-seated commitment, community support, and an intuitive understanding of what families need. Long…
Family Child Care Advocates and Supporters, Federal activity on child care continues in the 119th Congress, with several bills introduced that could impact how family child care is funded and supported. These proposals focus on areas like subsidy payments, workforce support, tax policy, nutrition, and broader system changes. Most of these bills are still in…
Written By Eboni Delaney, Director of Policy and Movement Building When Angelique Speight-Marshall became a mother in 1992, she did not set out to start a business. She set out to care for her daughter. “I was a new mother raising a daughter with special needs,” she recalls. “Finding child care that truly understood her…
Summary: The FY2026 Conference Bill sustains federal investment in child care. While funding is slightly increasing, the impact on Family Child Care (FCC) educators will be determined by how individual states choose to allocate these new dollars. 1. Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Total Funding: $8.831 billion Increase: +$85 million (~1%) Status: CCDBG…