Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Appreciation Week
Sept. 7-12, 2025
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.
2025 FFN Appreciation Week Schedule
Sunday, Sept. 07: It’s National Grandparents’ Day! Celebrating Grandparents Who Are FFN Caregivers!
Were you cared for by a grandparent? Share your favorite memory of you and your grandparent with the hashtag #ThanksGrandparent
MONDAY, SEPT. 08: Faces of FFN Care: A Look at the FFN Caregivers All Around Us
There are over 5 million FFN caregivers in the U.S., many of whom don’t identify as FFN caregivers. Can you identify the FFN caregivers all around you?
TUESDAY, SEPT. 09: Policies to Support the Diversity of FFN Care
FFN care and caregivers often face external threats such as changing immigration policy, low wages, and a lack of stable and affordable housing options. This day focuses on how we can individually and collectively stand against some of these persistent threats.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10: Webinar: Supporting FFN Care in Uncertain Times at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
Join us during FFN Appreciation Week for a webinar where we explore how to support FFN care and caregivers during this uncertain time. The session will include a productive panel discussion with partners who will share their work supporting FFN caregivers.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11: All Grown Up With FFN Care
Many of the people you know were fortunate enough to have spent their formative years under the care of an FFN caregiver.
Were you in FFN care as a child? Share a positive memory and hashtag #AllGrownUpFFN!
FRIDAY, SEPT. 12: FFN Care Is the Heart of Communities
FFN caregivers are pillars in their community. Share why you choose FFN care for your little ones, or why you support FFN care using the hashtags #FFNCareIsAlwaysThere.
#ICYMI: 2024 Webinar Recording: Building Policy Momentum for FFN Care
Policies that support family, friend and neighbor care are gaining momentum on the state and federal level. Hear from FFN caregivers, policymakers, and advocates about how you can help build the momentum.
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.
2025 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.