Creating Pathways to Business & Personal Prosperity
We’re championing fair compensation, healthcare, economic mobility and professional dignity for those who care for our children today and the next generation of educators.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY
NAFCC is the most valuable membership association for all family child care educators, making the profession feel enticing and sustainable.
STRATEGIC GOAL
Launch new offerings, such as FCC startup and business support, healthcare, and retirement to positively impact both the sustainability of businesses and economic mobility of individual
Elevating Quality in Family Child Care
We’re building on over 30 years of experience being the singular champion of home-based child care, setting national standards & offering learning opportunities that ensure safe, nurturing environments for children & families.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY
NAFCC is the most valuable membership association for all family child care educators, directly and significantly improving their experience as educators and the quality of early care & education in a home-based setting, including accreditation.
STRATEGIC GOAL
Engage additional FCC educators in Accreditation, Quality and Professional Development Support with an emphasis on partnering with FCC networks.
Inspiring Advocacy to Amplify Educator Voices
We’re strategically investing in developing the capacity, resources, and partnerships needed to support members and others in the field to advocate for themselves and family child care at local, state, and national levels.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY
NAFCC is the most valuable membership association for all family child care educators, building capacity for leaders to advocate for the needs of FCC and families in FCC.
STRATEGIC GOAL
Build capacity of FCC leaders representing 50 states plus DC to drive advocacy efforts and FCC educators agree NAFCC demonstrates a strong understanding of issues facing FCC and has been instrumental in enhancing the field.
Influencing Policy to Create Impact at Scale
We’re expanding our reach and creating systemic change for home-based child care through strategic partnerships, research, FCC leadership capacity building & policy advancements.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: NAFCC is the biggest platform for FCC-led state and federal policy change through its large membership base, reputation as an expert on FCC, and research on what FCCs want and need.
STRATEGIC GOAL
Increase NAFCC community engagement from 4,500 to 45,000 and drive FCC-led policy change nationally and in key states.
Looking Ahead: 2025
NAFCC is entering 2025 with a renewed focus, propelled by a dynamic strategic plan aimed at advancing our mission to support family child care educators. The moment is now for NAFCC to embark on a new strategy. First, there is a pressing and timely need for a strong national organization focused on unleashing the power of family child care. Through our deep relationships with FCC educators, we see significant opportunities to transform NAFCC’s programs, expand the organization’s reach, and chart a bold path for NAFCC’s future.
NAFCC partnered with the Holding Co., a design lab focused on care, to hear from FCC educators, facilitate conversations with NAFCC’s Strategic Planning Committee, and chart a new roadmap for NAFCC. This plan outlines key goals for advocacy, member support, and organizational growth, ensuring that NAFCC remains a strong and influential voice for family child care providers across the nation.
Path to NAFCC’s New Strategic Plan
12 Looking-in Interviews
with NAFCC board members, NAFCC staff, state representatives, and current members
Summary of Insights
- NAFCC is a membership-led organization seeking to elevate FCC educators
- Current challenges: undervalued workforce, resource constraints
- Need to clarify organizational relationships and differentiation
11 Looking-out and Focus Group Interviews
with government officials, state agencies, potential funders, current funders, grantmaking entities, early childhood ventures studios, analogous membership-based organizations, expired members, past NAFCC leaders, national partners, and non-member FCC educators.
Summary of Insights
- Prioritize geographic and audience focus
- Reassess accreditation value
- Develop sustainable leadership
- Diversify revenue sources
- Advance family child care narrative
665 Strategic Planning Survey Respondents
558 FCC educators 375 NAFCC members, and 107 non-educators
Summary of Insights
- 90% licensed, 64% accredited/pursuing accreditation
- Top unmet needs: retirement, health insurance, grants
- Low advocacy participation (but high interest)
- Desire for tangible organizational benefits
Secondary Research
Summary of Insights
- 51% of Americans live in child care deserts
- FCC homes decreased from 107,041 (2019) to 94,227 (2023)
- Significant variations in state-level FCC support
- Potential for expanding pre-K funding access
In-person Workshop at Conference
Summary of Insights
- Focus on educator sustainability
- Modernize quality/accreditation process
- Develop strategic policy approach
- Build membership to drive systemic change