Essential Support for Communities Through Family Child Care Homes

Erica Phillips of the National Association for Family Child Care, shares her journey into child care advocacy and discusses the critical role of family child care homes, the challenges they face, and how the business community can support these essential services. This conversation, hosted by Aaron Merchen of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is part of the "Continuing the Conversation" series. 

From Engineering to Child Care Advocacy 

Phillips notes her upbringing in South Philadelphia on the same block as her grandmother as a catalyst in her journey. Her grandmother ran a small child care business from home, providing a valuable, safe, and supportive space for the kids in her community. As Phillips grew up and prepared to pursue a career, she knew two things: she liked math and science and like her grandmother, she wanted to give back to the community that nurtured her, so she pursued engineering.  

Phillips’ passion is driven by this enthusiasm for community service and the realization that quality child care is essential for both children and working parents. She notes, "We are the essential service that enables the rest of the economy to work." 

The Role and Challenges of Family Child Care Homes 

Family child care homes play a crucial role in providing personalized, flexible, and culturally diverse care. These small, home-based programs are often preferred by parents for their low teacher-to-child ratios and the ability to offer care during non-traditional hours. 

Phillips notes that benefits include an element of trust: "You know exactly who is going to be interacting with your children." However, these providers face significant challenges, including operating on thin margins and earning less than minimum wage. Over the past 15 years, 90,000 family child care programs have closed due to financial pressures, creating child care deserts and increasing the burden on remaining providers. 

Engaging the Business Community 

Phillips recommends that employers and chambers of commerce support family child care homes by recognizing these providers as small business owners and including them in networking and legislative efforts. She also suggests leveraging existing networks and resources to support these providers. Building partnerships and advocating for policy changes can help sustain these essential services. 

Immediate Actions and Long-Term Solutions 

Addressing the child care crisis requires both immediate actions and long-term solutions. Phillips proposes several near-term policy changes, including modifying housing policies to support home-based child care providers. 

She also stresses the importance of outreach and resource sharing, urging businesses to offer support in ways that do not displace existing child care infrastructure. "We do have infrastructure for child care. It is about making the connections between the infrastructure that is there and the families and businesses who need child care," she explains. 

Phillips' call to action for the business community is clear: engage in advocacy, support existing providers, and work towards comprehensive solutions for all families.