Family Child Care Network History
The YMCA Family Child Care Network was established in 1991, with the goal of providing affordable, accessible, quality childcare for families in Philadelphia. The YMCA Family Child Care Network supports family childcare homes that provide care for up to six children in a licensed, state registered home based environment. Licensed family childcare homes support the philosophy of empowering people to make a difference in their own lives, and achieve a level of sound economic independence by becoming small business entrepreneurs. To learn more about Child Care Provider Program, visit www.womensbdc.org.
Since its establishment, the Network has trained and provided technical assistance to over 1000 family day care providers in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. It has increased the number of subsidized childcare slots and non-traditional hours of care available to parents. The Network’s continuous goal has been to raise the standards for family childcare to assure that children are in a safe, nurturing and educational environment. The YMCA Family Child Care Network has been supported by the Pew Charitable Trust, William Penn Foundation, and Department of Public Welfare, United way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Fleet Foundation, Disney, and Philip Morris Foundation.
What is Family Child Care?
Family Child Care is a home-based service where childcare is provided in a caregiver’s home. The home must be licensed and registered according to city and state laws. Family Child Care is the most preferred type of care for young children, especially infants and toddlers. Many family childcare homes provide high quality programs for preschoolers, school age and children with special needs. Family childcare is “home-away from home” personalized professional childcare.
Positive Features
Children receives individual attention.
"Family" like atmosphere.
Children have one consistent caregiver.
Siblings may be able to attend the same home; infant to school-age care.
Flexible hours that suit part-time and non-traditional hours of child care.
Overhead costs are less than childcare centers.
Click here to learn more about What Family Child Care Offers.