A well-informed and educated citizenry is the foundation of democracy. Family child care providers can profoundly impact a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school. A nurturing and interactive relationship between a child and their primary caregiver is essential to their social and cognitive development.
This is backed up by scientific research, which shows that as much as 90% of a child’s brain development takes place within the first three years of life.
Because young children are recognized as active learners, the state of California has set up three criteria for a quality preschool program:
Family child care providers look after school-aged children as well as infants and toddlers, and their programs routinely meet these criteria.
Just as importantly, family child care providers offer peace of mind for parents and continuity for children. Parents need safe, stable, high quality care. Highly flexible, child care providers are there for children both before and after school, during holidays and vacations, in the early morning hours, evenings, weekends, and even overnight.
Because child care providers play a key role in the development and early education of young children, and because they are such an integral part of the communities they serve, it only makes sense that we make sure that child care providers have the proper resources to do their job.
Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California was formed to help child care providers gain a voice in the decisions that affect them and the work they do. We know that if providers have a seat at the table where public policy affecting early education and care is written then our profession will receive greater recognition, and we can effect changes to ensure that quality care and education programs will be available to all Californians.