Multi-Site Study of Family Child Care Decline and Supply: Examining the Factors Behind the Numbers
July, 2019-December, 2020
Co-PIs: Juliet Bromer, Erikson Institute; Toni Porter, Early Care & Education Consulting
Erikson Institute has been awarded a grant from the Foundation for Child Development to examine the reasons behind the decline of licensed family child care (FCC) in the U.S and the factors that contribute to FCC engagement and retention in the early childhood workforce. The descriptive study will seek to understand why FCC providers enter the field, what keeps them engaged, and the reasons for departure from the profession. Study findings will inform efforts to increase the numbers of high-quality FCC settings and integrate these professionals into the broader early care and education workforce and systems at all levels.
The 18-month project consists of two primary components: a comprehensive literature review and qualitative data collection with FCC providers. The literature review will examine existing research on potential factors that shape job tenure including provider and program characteristics, systems participation, and parent perspectives on child care preference and choice. The qualitative data will be collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of FCC providers, including non-English speakers and immigrants from California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, four geographic areas of the country where there has been a documented FCC decline. Provider types will include: 1) providers who are new to FCC; 2) mid-career providers who are fully engaged in FCC; and 3) providers who have recently left FCC. To better understand the contextual factors that may contribute to changes in supply, we will interview program and policy administrators in the four areas about their perspectives on the FCC decline and strategies for engagement and retention in their state.
For more information, please contact:
Juliet Bromer, [email protected]