Why Family Child Care Needs Support

Nataliia shares the essential role of home-based child care, the challenges providers face, and why affordable resources matter.

Natalia D. | Child Care Provider

I operate a licensed large family child care home in California and have dedicated many years to caring for young children and supporting working families.

Every day, I see how essential quality child care is. Parents rely on child care so they can work, support their families, and contribute to their communities. Children benefit from stable, nurturing environments where they feel safe, build confidence, develop social skills, and discover a love of learning.

As a provider, I also see the challenges that many people do not see. Family child care providers work long hours, meet extensive licensing requirements, complete ongoing training, maintain safe environments, and manage rising costs. We carry a tremendous responsibility because families trust us with their most precious people—their children.

I wish lawmakers and decision-makers understood that family child care homes are a vital part of the child care system. Many families prefer smaller, home-based programs because they offer continuity of care, mixed-age learning, and close relationships with caregivers. Yet providers often face significant barriers when trying to sustain or expand their programs.

There is a tremendous need for quality child care in our community. I would love to expand my program and serve more families, but access to affordable funding and resources remains one of the biggest challenges for providers like me.

Investing in child care is not only an investment in children—it is an investment in working families, local businesses, and the future of our communities. I hope policymakers continue to listen to the voices of both families and providers when making decisions that affect child care.

This story reflects the personal experiences and perspectives of the individual who shared it. Experiences may vary and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Child Action.