Congregations Caring for Children

I.  Revolving Loan Fund/Small Grant Program. A person who wants to become a family

child care provider can be discouraged by start up costs.  She must ready her home for

children before she has paying clients!  The majority of prospective providers find even

small costs difficult to bear.  But if they need major items such as window bars, vented

heaters, or yard fences, they may give up in despair, or worse begin child care with 

out taking adequate safety and health precautions.  An equipment grant or low interest

loan can make the difference to a prospective provider, and to the quality of her child

care home.

Required Resources: Capital fund; financial/program manager.

J.  Enrichment Kits.  Sometimes people become family child care providers without

realizing that is what they have done.  They begin by caring for a friend's child, and

three years later they're still at it!  Such providers may welcome an  enrichment kit  to

help them become more professional.  Such a kit might include health and safety items,

a professional magazine, business forms, community resource lists, even a gift member 

ship in a professional child care organization.

Required Resources: Volunteers; small budget.

K. Individual Consultation and Skills Bank. Many retired or still working congrega 

tional members may have expertise they will share with providers on such topics as tax/

record keeping, stress management, computer skills, child development, health, and

nutrition.  Others will build, fix, paint, mend, type, and otherwise assist providers to

improve their homes and programs.  Photographers and graphic designers can lend a

hand with brochures or flyers.  Tutors can assist a provider's school aged children.  A

volunteer skills/assistance bank can be drawn upon by a provider as needed.

Required Resources: Volunteer skills bank coordinator skilled in supervision and match 

ing.

Variation: Partner with Seniors' program to offer opportunities for intergenerational

activities with family child care homes.

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