Announcing the 2026 Accredited Educator of the Year Finalists

Each year, the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) recognizes outstanding family child care educators whose dedication, leadership, and commitment to quality make a lasting impact on children, families, and communities. The Accredited Educator of the Year Award celebrates educators who exemplify excellence in family child care and inspire others across the field. We…

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NAFCC “On the Move” (March + April 2026 Highlights)

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 March and April. These highlights reflect NAFCC’s continued dedication to elevating family child care educators, fostering meaningful connections, and driving quality care nationwide. Driving Impact Through the NAFCC…

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In Their Own Words, Kathryn Baker

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…

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Day Without Child Care 2026: A National Call to Recognize What Families and Communities Cannot Function Without

On May 11, educators, families, and communities across the country participated in Day Without Child Care 2026, a growing national movement designed to highlight what happens when child care is unavailable and to elevate the essential role early childhood educators play in the lives of children, families, communities, and the economy. Now in its fifth…

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Federal Child Care Policy Updates & Legislative Watch–May 2026

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…

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Changes to Critical Child Care Funding Rolls Back Important Advancements: NAFCC Responds to the CCDF Final Rule

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…

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We Can Take Care of Child Care — And We Must

By Erica Phillips and Eboni Delaney, National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Recent comments from the President have suggested that child care is simply too large and too complex for the United States to take on, but the reality tells a different story. When the 2027 federal budget was released earlier this month, one…

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