Building Belonging: Valuing Family Child Care via State Licensing Systems (Full Report)

Close-up of colorful wooden alphabet blocks, some showing letters like V, B, Z, H, and D.

Licensing is critical infrastructure in the family child care system: Through licensing, family child care providers are publicly recognized as child care professionals. In recognition of the important impact of state licensing policy and practice on family child care, Home Grown brought together its first-ever Family Child Care Licensing Work Group. The Work Group consisted of family child care professionals who convened regularly to develop Home Grown’s understanding of state licensing for family child care and develop recommendations for these systems. This report represents their work.

August 27, 2025
Ahead of FFN Appreciation Week 2025, a member of the Home Grown staff shares her personal experience with family, friend and neighbor providers and why she's passionate about supporting them.
July 25, 2025
Severe climate and weather disasters in the U.S. have become more frequent. For home-based child care providers, these disasters not only affect the health and well-being of those impacted, but they also disrupt the livelihoods of HBCC providers and caregivers whose businesses are run from their homes.
July 23, 2025
When the devastating LA fires displaced families and child care providers, Home Grown and local partners moved quickly to provide emergency cash aid.