The Problem: Family Child Care Is Being Quietly Pushed Out
Family child care (FCC) is diminishing at an alarming rate. Nearly 100,000 licensed FCC programs have closed since 2012, representing a 35% national decline (National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, 2022). Despite being the most common licensed form of care in rural counties—where FCC makes up 92% of providers (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2020)—FCC educators remain largely excluded from public investments.
The proposed FY2026 federal budget, released May 2, makes this threat worse. It proposes to eliminate stabilizing programs like:
- Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
- Preschool Development Grants (PDG)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
These are lifelines for FCC educators, covering basic utilities, stabilizing home-based businesses, and supporting families. Even more concerning: the budget fails to mention CCDBG, Head Start, or Early Head Start at all—signaling flat funding at a time when costs are surging. In today’s climate, flat funding equals cuts.
Without immediate action, these decisions could lead to:
- Fewer subsidy slots for families
- No rate increases for FCC educators already operating on razor-thin margins
- No relief from inflation, staffing costs, or regulatory burdens
The Solution: Protect and Prioritize FCC in Federal Policy
FCC educators are not just caregivers—they are educators, entrepreneurs, and community anchors. They deserve:
- Stabilized and expanded investments in CCDBG and Head Start, inclusive of sole proprietors and FCC models
- Equitable access to public funding, contracts, and technical assistance—not just for centers
- Disaggregated data in federal reporting to reflect FCC realities
- Preservation of CCAMPIS, PDG, and LIHEAP, which support the homes where FCC happens
What You Can Do: Demand a Budget That Invests in FCC
We urge Congress to:
- Fully fund CCDBG at $13 billion+ in FY2026, ensuring FCC inclusion
- Reject the elimination of CCAMPIS, PDG, and LIHEAP
- Expand Head Start and Early Head Start to support home-based care
- Include FCC educators in all federal decision-making