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What is Home-Based Child Care?

Home-based child care (HBCC) includes a range of providers, from licensed providers operating small businesses in their homes through care provided by family, friends, and neighbors, all providing a vital service to their communities.

Nationwide, more infants and toddlers are cared for in HBCC than in center-based care.

The Challenge

HBCC providers often do not receive the recognition, resources, and support they need to provide the highest quality care. Federal, state, and local policies are often not supportive of HBCC providers, and in recent years, the number of HBCC providers in the United States has declined.

The Opportunity

Millions of parents choose HBCC for their infants and toddlers because it is often closer to home, more affordable, and more flexible than child care centers. HBCC has the opportunity to be an equalizer for children with fewer opportunities during a critical time in their cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development.
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Close to Home

HBCC provider Adrienne Briggs owns and operates the successful Lil’ Bits Family Child Care Home in Philadelphia, PA. Learn more about Adrienne and her program.

Investment Highlight:
Heising-Simons Foundation

The Heising-Simons Foundation works to facilitate the creation and strengthening of early childhood systems necessary for children from low-income families and children of color to reach their full potential by the year 2044, the year when the US becomes majority-minority. Learn more here.