What a powerful way to kick off the year for early childhood— bringing together the right people in one room, united in their commitment to shaping a brighter future for our children. Quality childcare is essential to families' financial stability and long-term well-being, and one critical piece of this puzzle is family childcare entrepreneurs. These small business owners are more than caregivers, they’re educators, community builders and economic drivers.
On January 7th, United Way of Mass Bay’s Shared Services of MA program hosted a legislative briefing at the State House. The event spotlighted the family childcare landscape in the Commonwealth, highlighted the transformative impact of family childcare entrepreneurs on children and families, and demonstrated how this sector fosters community wealth. It also made a strong case for the increased investment needed to support and grow family childcare businesses.
At the event, Commissioner Kershaw and Undersecretary Ashley Stolba emphasized that family childcare is a “critical part of the infrastructure” and a key driver of local economic development. Expert panelists Kristin McSwain from the City of Boston Office of Early Childhood, Rosemary M. Hernandez of Clarendon Early Education, Jock Payten of Nubian Square Investment Advisors, and Melinda Weber, VP of Shared Services MA, shared valuable insights on the challenges, opportunities, and strategies essential for growing and sustaining family childcare businesses in Massachusetts—ultimately expanding access to quality childcare for all.
Real-world solutions like United Way's Shared Services Program are already making a meaningful difference for family childcare businesses.
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Family childcare is the workforce behind the workforce.
- Family childcare is the workforce behind the workforce.
- It’s a unique business that requires tailored support.
- It’s a unique business that requires tailored support.
- Listening to FCC educators helps us understand what they truly need to succeed.
- Listening to FCC educators helps us understand what they truly need to succeed.
- Challenges for FCC educators include high cost of living, personal and business finances, and retirement plans.
- Challenges for FCC educators include high cost of living, personal and business finances, and retirement plans.
- Pre-Licensing Support training courses are critical to helping educators start strong and feel prepared.
- Pre-Licensing Support training courses are critical to helping educators start strong and feel prepared.
- FCC new businesses are culturally relevant and localized care rooted in community.
- FCC new businesses are culturally relevant and localized care rooted in community.
- Partnering with structured family childcare systems, like Clarendon Early Education, offers support, training, and resources that strengthen services, build relationships with families, and improve business skills.
- Partnering with structured family childcare systems, like Clarendon Early Education, offers support, training, and resources that strengthen services, build relationships with families, and improve business skills.
As key voices in the sector, the panelists delivered impactful requests that will help shape the future of family childcare.
Here’s what they’re calling for:
- The biggest barrier in Boston to expanding family childcare is housing. “We need the State to make it clear that family childcare in affordable housing is not only allowed but encouraged. The lack of clarity is a huge barrier to opening more childcare and working with potential providers,” said Kristin McSwain.
- The biggest barrier in Boston to expanding family childcare is housing. “We need the State to make it clear that family childcare in affordable housing is not only allowed but encouraged. The lack of clarity is a huge barrier to opening more childcare and working with potential providers,” said Kristin McSwain.
- We need both public and private investment; these partnerships are crucial.
- We need both public and private investment; these partnerships are crucial.
- Flexibility in funding- “These businesses will grow and impact the community—let’s get flexible dollars to support that growth,” said Rosemary Montero.
- Flexibility in funding- “These businesses will grow and impact the community—let’s get flexible dollars to support that growth,” said Rosemary Montero.
- Matched Savings programs for FCC retirement plan: an investment that can multiply overtime and relieve financial burdens.
- Matched Savings programs for FCC retirement plan: an investment that can multiply overtime and relieve financial burdens.
Get the message out
Help us raise awareness for sustained and increased funding, advocate for strategies that work, and ultimately grow a culturally competent workforce that improves child education outcomes and enhances the financial well-being of families.
We’re proud to partner with city, state, and federal leaders to drive business development for family childcare and strengthen the childcare ecosystem. Join us in advocating for change and expanding equitable access to quality care across the Commonwealth!
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care