Research and Data

Research Brief

Unique Strengths and Unique Strains

Exploring Workforce Survey Data on Home-Based Child Care.

Across the early childhood education field, child care educators are navigating sustained challenges that threaten the stability of the workforce and the accessibility of high-quality care for young children and families.

2026 Benefits Brief for FCC

Benefits, Stability and the Future of Family Child Care: Building Real Access to Healthcare and Retirement.

NAFCC 2025-2026 Annual Survey Report

The goals of the NAFCC Annual Survey include informing NAFCC’s Policy Priorities and supporting a broad group of child care stakeholders, including educators, supporting organizations, and policy makers.

Including Home-Based Family Child Care Programs Into State’s Pre-K Expansion: Lessons Learned from Maryland

An in-depth analysis of the benefits, challenges, and strategic pathways for expanding pre-kindergarten education to enhance early learning outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Child care educator smiling and playing with legos with 2 children

Listening to Family Child Care Educators’ Perspectives on Higher Education and Credential Requirements

This brief presents key findings about family child care (FCC) educators’ perspectives on state and national efforts to require higher levels of education and credentials for early educators. Findings are based on data from19 virtual focus groups conducted with 95 FCC educators in 20 states as part of the Everyday Quality project.