NEW Policy Brief from Early Learning and Care Advocates: Strengthening Support for California’s Family, Friend, and Neighbor Providers
How Are Family, Friends, and Neighbors a Critical Part of Our Child Care System?
A new policy brief shows just how critical family, friends, and neighbors are in our child care system. Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers play a critical role in California’s Early Learning and Care mixed-delivery system, helping to meet the unique needs of families. This new report about FFN care, written by Early Edge California, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, First 5 Santa Clara County, First 5 Yolo County, San José Public Library, BANANAS, and First 5 Yuba County, focuses on how we can help them in nurturing and supporting our children.
Strengthening Support for California’s Family, Friend, and Neighbor Providers shares the unique benefits that families experience through FFN care, and also summarizes some of the major challenges these caregivers face and potential solutions for improving FFN supports. Ultimately, this brief underscores the need for increased investment in FFN care to support millions of California children and families who choose it.
FFN care plays a critical role in taking care of our little kids and helps meet the unique needs of each family. As summarized by their name, FFN caregivers consist of grandparents, aunts, uncles, extended family, caring neighbors, and friends who provide care for babies and young children in informal settings, typically in their own home. Similar to the broader Early Learning and care workforce, FFNs are predominantly women of color.
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Early Edge California is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving access to high-quality Early Learning experiences for all California children so they can have a strong foundation for future success.