ERIC Number: EJ1311031
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Dec
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-1890
EISSN: N/A
Family Child Care Support and Implementation: Current Challenges and Strategies from the Perspectives of Providers
Herman, Emily R.; Breedlove, Meghan L.; Lang, Sarah N.
Child & Youth Care Forum, v50 n6 p1037-1062 Dec 2021
Background: Quality early childhood education (ECE) sets the foundation for children's healthy development. Families make choices regarding the ECE options available to them, and families who desire smaller, more personal, flexible, and less expensive options, often select family child care (FCC) providers over center-based care. In addition, trending research in the United States indicates that there is a decline of FCC providers leading to a gap in the available resources for families. Objective: This study explored the experiences of family child care providers regarding the challenges and benefits of their profession. Methods: Two focus groups (N = 27) comprised of licensed and unlicensed FCC providers were conducted to understand their perspectives on the perceived challenges and benefits of their work. Results: Using Bromer and Korfmacher's conceptual model of high-quality support, we conducted a thematic analysis and found providers identified several challenges including: feeling uncomfortable in their home, payment and scheduling issues, frustration with parents, limited resources, and role conflicts. Providers also described strategies for managing their family childcare program including utilizing critical early childhood education learning strategies with children, separating personal and work spaces, using contracts, and the importance of networking with other professionals. Providers also shared benefits of FCC for the children in their care, themselves, and their own families. Conclusions: The findings align with Bromer and Korfmacher's (2017) conceptual model and suggest a need for networking opportunities to provide information and support amongst FCC providers, improved resource sharing, more accessible funding opportunities, and the need for business training tools.
Descriptors: Child Care, Child Caregivers, Work Experience, Early Childhood Education, Caregiver Attitudes, Work Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A