1.3.3.2: Support Networks for Family Child Care

Large and small family child care home caregivers/teachers should have active membership in a national, and/or state and local early care and education organization(s). National organizations addressing concerns of family child care home caregivers/teachers include the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In addition, belonging to a local network of family child care home caregivers/teachers that offers education, training and networking opportunities provides the opportunity to focus on local needs. Child care resource and referral agencies may provide additional support networks for caregivers/teachers that include professional development opportunities and information about electronic networking.

RATIONALE

Membership in peer professional organizations shows a commitment to quality child care and also provides a conduit for information to otherwise isolated caregivers/teachers. Membership in a family child care association and attendance at meetings indicate the desire to gain new knowledge about how to work with children (1).

COMMENTS

For more information about family child care associations, contact the NAFCC at http://nafcc.net and/or the NAEYC at http://www.naeyc.org. Also, caregivers/teachers should check to see if their state has specific accreditation standards.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

1.3.1.1 General Qualifications of Directors
1.3.1.2 Mixed Director/Teacher Role
1.3.2.2 Qualifications of Lead Teachers and Teachers
1.3.2.3 Qualifications for Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Volunteers
1.4.2.1 Initial Orientation of All Staff
1.4.2.2 Orientation for Care of Children with Special Health Care Needs
1.4.2.3 Orientation Topics
1.4.3.1 First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training for Staff
1.4.3.2 Topics Covered in Pediatric First Aid Training
1.4.3.3 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training for Swimming and Water Play
1.4.4.1 Continuing Education for Directors and Caregivers/Teachers in Centers and Large Family Child Care Homes
1.4.4.2 Continuing Education for Small Family Child Care Home Caregivers/Teachers
1.4.5.1 Training of Staff Who Handle Food
1.4.5.2 Child Abuse and Neglect Education
1.4.5.3 Training on Occupational Risk Related to Handling Body Fluids
1.4.5.4 Education of Center Staff
1.4.6.1 Training Time and Professional Development Leave
1.4.6.2 Payment for Continuing Education
10.6.2.1 Development of Child Care Provider Organizations and Networks

REFERENCES

1. Fiene, R. 2002. 13 indicators of quality child care: Research update. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. http://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/13-indicators-quality-child-care.