What is family child care?

 

Most licensed family child care providers work on their own, and many are mothers of young children themselves. Family child care homes can provide care to a dozen or more children, but usually serve around six kids at a time, depending on the type of license, the age of the children, and state law.

License-exempt family child care providers (also referred to as FFN—Family, Friends and Neighbors) typically care for fewer children, in their own home or in the home of one of the children in their care. License-exempt providers are often related to the children in their care.

Family child care providers can care for both children whose parents pay privately and children of low-income working parents who receive child care assistance. Because so many families need child care that is affordable and accessible, protecting the quality of family care is crucial.

Child care facts: 

• The child care workforce is 98 percent female, and better educated than the general population. 
• Over a third of children in the U.S. with working parents are in family child care or are cared for by relatives.