Congregations Caring for Children

II.  Partnerships with Family Child Care Provider Groups

L. Support for Existing Family Child Care Associations.  Providers are their own best

source of support, information, and professional development.  Some family child care

providers form associations so they can speak collectively on issues that affect them (see

Section IX for list of existing association contacts).  Associations may also promote

professional recognition through credentialing or accreditation programs whose stan 

dards of excellence are higher than those required by state regulations.  Churches and

synagogues can become partners with family child care associations.  They can offer

scholarships to association members who want to be credentialed or accredited.  They

can offer space (and child care!) for association meetings and social gatherings.  They can

help publish and mail an organizational newsletter.  By supporting a family child care

association, a congregation strengthens the most important resource family child care

providers have themselves.

Required Resources: Volunteer liaison; fundraiser, knowledge of existing associations.

Optional Resources: Meeting and office space; access to child care facilities, office equip 

ment; scholarship fund.

M.  Family Child Care Networks.  A church or synagogue may choose to develop its

own network of family child care providers, regardless of whether it has an on site child

care program.  Such a network may include any or all of the activities already described.

Its major function is to help providers do a better job of caregiving by linking them with

others.  In a family child care network, the church or synagogue serves as the network

hub.  An office with telephone and resources is located at the hub.  Staff (as needed) are

based at the network office.

Adapted from Partners in Family Child Care   Opportunities for Outreach: A Guide to Religious

Congregations by Margaret Freeman, the National Council of Churches/Ecumenical Child Care

Network. Used with permission.

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