Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Appreciation Week
Sept. 13-18, 2026
Family, Friend and Neighbor Appreciation Week is an opportunity to celebrate the over 5 million FFN caregivers who look after 11.5 million children each year. The celebration of FFN Appreciation Week intentionally begins with National Grandparents’ Day to recognize the millions of grandparents who support our communities and care for young children. We invite you to help us raise awareness and show gratitude for the invaluable contributions of FFN care and caregivers to our communities and society.
What Is Family, Friend and Neighbor Care?
Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) care is a broad term encompassing home-based child care provided by caregivers who typically have a previous relationship with the children for whom they care. They are the grandmothers, nanas, aunties, abuelitas, family, friends and neighbors who care for children. Family, friend and neighbor care makes up the majority of home-based child care in the U.S. with one in four children in the U.S. under the age of 5 being cared for by a grandparent some or all of the time their parent is at work.
2026 FFN Appreciation Week Schedule
Sunday, Sept. 13: Honoring the Grandparents at the Heart of FFN
It’s National Grandparents’ Day! Were you cared for by a grandparent? Share your favorite memory of you and your grandparent with the hashtag #ThanksGrandparents
MONDAY, SEPT. 14: All Grown Up with FFN Care
Adults who received FFN care during their formative years are all around us, and they were shaped by the caregivers who helped raise them. Were you in FFN care as a child, or did you care for a child who now is all grown up? Share a positive memory.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15: How FFN Supports Culture and Community
Families often choose FFN because they want caregivers who share their language and culture and are part of the same community. Did or do you share your language or cultural traditions with your FFN caregiver or children in your care? Do you celebrate cultural holidays or community events with one another? Share your stories.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16: Celebrating FFN Care’s Unique Flexibility
FFN caregivers show up for families that other care options leave behind: infants and toddlers, overnight and weekend care, children with disabilities, families in rural areas. Have you received care or provided care that traditional, center-based options can’t or won’t? Share how FFN care is always there.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17: Food Justice and FFN Care
Food provides children with nutrition, connects them to cultural traditions, and is a wonderful way to learn and play. FFN caregivers need access to healthy food for themselves and the children they care for. Share a favorite recipe and memories of cooking with an FFN caregiver or as a caregiver.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18: FFN Care Has Always Been Universal
As the promise of universal child care gains wider recognition, it’s crucial to recognize the important role FFN care has played and will continue to play in providing loving, supportive and essential support for children and families. Share your vision of a future where FFN care is recognized, celebrated and supported and children have the care they need.
Webinar: Celebrating Progress and Building Futures for FFN Care
Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Join us for a webinar to celebrate policy progress supporting FFN care and to imagine a shared future that lifts up these crucial caregivers at the heart of our communities.
#ICYMI: 2025 Webinar Recording:
Supporting FFN Care in Uncertain Times
Digital Toolkit
Each day of FFN Appreciation Week has been assigned a theme to shine light on different aspects and issues regarding FFN care. The digital toolkit contains social media posts, graphics, and templates to help you create more awareness and increase visibility of family, friend and neighbor caregivers during FFN Appreciation Week.
VIDEO SERIES
Our new video series spotlights FFN care and caregivers.
Who Are FFN Caregivers?
Family, friend and neighbor caregivers are all around us! Meet a few of the remarkable FFN caregivers and hear their stories.
FFN Caregivers Provide Loving Care
FFN care meets the developmental needs of children due to the nurturing and responsive relationships.
Supporting FFN Caregivers with Policies
FFN caregivers share the challenges they face around low wages and how they need policies that better support them.
2026 Cosponsors
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is FFN Appreciation Week?
Family, Friend and Neighbor Appreciation Week was created to build awareness, increase the visibility and show gratitude for the invaluable contributions of FFN care and caregivers to our communities and society.
2. When is FFN Appreciation Week?
FFN Appreciation Week is intentionally celebrated during the second week of September with National Grandparents’ Day to recognize the millions of grandparents who support our communities and care for young children.
3. Who are FFN caregivers?
Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) is a broad term encompassing many types of caregivers, typically those who have a previous relationship with the children for whom they care. They are the grandmothers, nanas, aunties, abuelitas, family, friends and neighbors who care for children. These caregivers may be paid or unpaid and may not view themselves as providers.
4. How do children benefit from FFN care?
Nurturing relationships are the biggest need for the development of young kids’ brains. Early experiences affect the quality of brain development by establishing either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all of the learning, health and behavior that follow. Home-based settings, inclusive of FFN care, are the ideal settings to develop, support and nurture these relationships.
5. Why do families choose FFN care?
Parents choose FFN care as a first choice for a variety of reasons. FFN care is preferred by immigrant and Dual Language Learner (DLL) families. FFN care is also more flexible and accessible for rural families, who are less likely to use child care centers than families living in urban and suburban areas.
6. Why is it important to increase awareness around FFN care?
Family, friend and neighbor (FFN) providers are the mainstay of the American child care sector. Over 5 million FFN caregivers look after 11.5 million children including 5.8 million children ages 0-5.