Child care is the workforce behind the workforce but our current policy approaches do not reflect that. Research reveals that home-based child care providers (HBCC) struggle to make ends meet, have unstable incomes and variable levels of access to essential benefits like health care and retirement. We strongly encourage state leaders in partnership with home-based child care providers, partners and networks to prioritize access to these critical benefits for HBCC providers. This resource highlights opportunities to improve access to critical benefits for providers.
Opportunities for States to Improve Benefits Access for Home-based Child Care Providers
Home-based child care providers share feedback and insight on their experiences with legislative visits during the 2025 August recess.
Families and child care providers are being squeezed as pandemic-era supports expire and federal funding stalls. Across the country, home-based providers are struggling to stay open amid lower reimbursements and rising costs. Without stronger federal investment in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), tens of thousands of children could lose access to care.
Carmela is a family, friend and neighbor caregiver who is proud of her Hispanic heritage. Learn more about how her Hispanic heritage shapes her work as a HBCC caregiver in this blog.