The Summer months bring the opportunity for fun adventures, park visits, and more outdoor play, but the hazards from the sun and high temperatures can catch us all by surprise. From burns to heat related illnesses, it is important to stay one step ahead to keep kids safe and comfortable.

On Saturday, June 7th, the SEIU Education & Support Fund (ESF-RI), a training fund collectively bargained to serve family child care educators in the state, hosted its sixth annual We Empower Providers Assembly (WEPA). That morning, the Providence Marriott Downtown was filled with excitement, purpose and possibilities as close to 200 Rhode Island family child care educators came together to discuss entrepreneurial success, early education and how these are all influenced by self care. For the first time, WEPA had a national presence with educators from Massachusetts, Connecticut and as far as California joining the convening meant to uplift the voices and needs of their communities. 

For the unfamiliar, family child care educators (FCCEs) are licensed early childhood professionals who operate high-quality programs out of their own homes, often serving mixed-age groups in nurturing, culturally rooted environments. Deeply embedded in their communities (primarily in the cities of Providence, Cranston, Central Falls, Pawtucket & Johnston), they provide essential care for working families, offering flexible hours, personalized attention, and long-term relationships that support children’s development. These educators wear many hats: entrepreneur, teacher, administrator, and advocate yet for a long time  they worked in isolation, without access to the same resources or recognition as larger child care centers, and without the accolades they deserved. 

WEPA was created in 2020 as a way to combat those persistent issues that educators had been expressing for decades. In its design, the conference is a welcoming, FCC-centered and led event hosted in Spanish with English interpretation and the only one of its kind in New England. This year, 20 educators led and facilitated breakout sessions centered on three imperative topics: program values; the influence of brand, image, and thoughtful marketing; and the critical role of self-care in shaping all of these elements and, ultimately, in driving entrepreneurial success. As a conference created for educators by educators, it is crucial that they continue to lead these important conversations and foster a space where connection, problem-solving, and meaningful dialogue can thrive. 

In recognition of the unique roles and needs of family child care educator assistants, for the second year, the conference included a dedicated breakout room specifically for them. These professionals often work behind the scenes but play a vital role in the daily operations, culture, and quality of care in home-based programs. By creating a space just for assistants, WEPA ensures they have the opportunity to share their experiences, access targeted resources, and connect with others in similar roles. The session honored their contributions while also offering tools and conversations tailored to their specific challenges and aspirations. 

Last but not least important, community partners from ten local organizations – SEIU 1199NE, RI DHS, the Center for Early Learning Professionals, SUCCESS, CCRI, RIAEYC, the RI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Neighborhood Health Plan, and URI SNAP-Ed – joined the conversation to actively listen to educator needs and share resources. Their collaboration underscored a shared commitment to supporting early childhood educators and strengthening the broader care and education ecosystem. This intentional inclusion reflects WEPA’s commitment to recognizing the full ecosystem of early education and to ensuring that everyone, no matter their title, feels seen, heard, and empowered.

Sometimes our superheroes prepare lunches, guide us in how to properly wash our hands and help us set up for naptime. Sometimes they do storytime, they teach us our ABCs and they help us learn a second language. Sometimes they provide 50 hours a week of loving care so parents can go to work knowing their child is loved and cared for. Sometimes, they become a second home. 

All of the time, these superheroes are family child care educators. 

Every year, the Friday before Mother's Day, we celebrate Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. May 10, 2025 is a day to acknowledge and thank the child care providers, teachers, and educators who support the well-being and development of our young children. This day recognizes the significant impact of child care professionals on families and communities. Acknowledging their dedication not only shows appreciation for their hard work but also raises awareness of the essential contributions they make, helping to support and elevate the profession of early childhood education.

To honor the incredible work our family child care educators do, here are 10 things we appreciate about our educators:

1. Our educators show up everyday. Through rain, snowstorms, lack of sleep, and migraines, they show up. They are there delivering radiating smiles and thoughtful curriculum everyday.
2. Family child care educators are master multitaskers. Not many of us are tasked with being business owners, educators, caregivers, chefs, janitors, nurses and mentors all in the same day, everyday. Family child care educators juggle these roles daily with grace, unwavering patience and endless dedication. 
3. Providers are invested in their professional growth. ESF has seen educators take hundreds of hours of courses in early childhood education topics, leadership development and small business development, to name a few. Many times, they go above and beyond the required hours needed to renew their license. They learn because they believe in the importance of education.
4. The family child care community in RI is small, yet mighty! Despite being a community of only 400, educators make their presence felt by participating in groundbreaking initiatives, attending important conferences, and advocating for themselves at the state and national levels. Educators have been advocating for decades and will not stop anytime soon.
5. Providers are incredibly thoughtful. When a fellow colleague is in crisis, they rally around them in support. During classes and meetings, providers bring food and snacks to share with each other. One provider even donated a coffee machine to our pantry! They are always looking for resources and tools to better support the families they serve.
6. They teach more than colors and shapes. Educators teach social skills, emotional intelligence, kindness, curiosity, patience–The skills that last a lifetime.  
7. They are quick learners. When the pandemic hit in 2020, our largely tech-inexperienced community had to quickly adapt to virtual learning. Though hesitant at first, educators rose to the challenge, rapidly gaining skills. Now, we see educators confidently leading virtual classes and supporting colleagues with tech issues.
8. They embody resilience. One guaranteed constant in work with children is the endless changes, challenges and curveballs. Educators always bounce back with strength, compassion and commitment to the children in their care. 
9. They are the experts. If you ever have a question about early childhood education, state regulations, educator needs, city ordinances, referrals–ask a family child care educator. They’ll always have an answer. 
10. They care from the heart. What makes family child care educators truly exceptional is the love they bring to their work. Their days are long, but their impact lasts forever. They love, nurture, encourage, and empower—because to them, this work is more than a job. It’s a calling.

The state of Rhode Island is home to over 400 licensed family child care educators (FCCEs), each dedicated to serving children and families within our diverse communities. These educators enter the field with a shared commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education in a safe and nurturing environment, giving families peace of mind that their children are being cared for properly. The Department of Human Services (DHS) plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and integrity of child care programs across the state, overseeing licensing standards for both home-based and center-based programs to ensure the well-being of every child in care. 

To operate a licensed family child care program in Rhode Island, educators must meet a variety of requirements set forth by the Department of Human Services to ensure the safety, well-being, and development of the children in their care. These requirements are designed to support educators in providing a high-quality early childhood experience while adhering to strict safety and regulatory standards.

Family child care educators are subject to periodic inspections by DHS to ensure compliance with state regulations. These inspections evaluate the physical space, health and safety practices, and overall adherence to licensing standards. Educators must pass these inspections to maintain their license and continue offering care to children.

The Starting RIght Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) program subsidizes the cost of child care for families that are residents of Rhode Island. Families whose incomes are at or below 261% of the federal poverty level and meet the CCAP eligibility requirements can receive full or partial payment for child care costs when provided by a CCAP-approved child care provider.

While DHS and CCAP serve different functions, they work hand in hand to ensure that all families, regardless of income or background, have access to quality early childhood education and care. DHS is primarily responsible for setting and enforcing the licensing standards that govern child care programs across Rhode Island, ensuring that every child is cared for in a safe and regulated environment. On the other hand, CCAP focuses on making child care more affordable for families by subsidizing child care costs, especially for those with limited financial resources. Together, these programs help create a comprehensive child care system that addresses both the quality and accessibility of care, particularly for families in underserved communities. By partnering with CCAP, DHS ensures that families in need can access licensed, high-quality child care providers, fostering equity in early childhood education across the state. CCAP-licensed providers must comply with all licensing regulations, some of which are listed below:

• Family Child Care Educators must renew their licensing every two years
• Under licensure, each program will receive a minimum of two unannounced monitoring visits annually to assess compliance against these regulations
• Licenses are not transferable between educators and locations. In the event of a relocation or business transfer, a new child care license must be obtained
• Federal guidelines require new CCAP educators to complete professional development in key areas, including child development, safety, emergency preparedness, and medical training, within 90 days of receiving CCAP approval from DHS

Approximately 90% of family child care programs in the state are CCAP-approved, with the highest concentration in the inner cities of Cranston, Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Providence. When we take a closer look, we find that Providence-based FCCEs account for 7% of licensed early learning program slots statewide but a staggering 24% of CCAP statewide, demonstrating the invaluable niche of CCAP FCCEs in providing families - particularly those in urban settings and low-income - with equitable access to early education and high-quality care services. 

One of the standout benefits of CCAP-approved family child care programs is their ability to embrace and celebrate diversity, which is especially valuable for families seeking a culturally rich experience for their children. Many CCAP-approved family child care educators offer programs that reflect a wide range of cultural experiences and incorporate multiple languages into their daily routines. This exposure provides children with an opportunity to expand on their own home culture while also learning about new cultures in an inclusive and supportive environment. Through these experiences, children develop respect for others, enhance their cultural awareness, and build empathy—skills that are essential for their social and emotional growth. By promoting diversity, CCAP providers offer families the chance to nurture their children’s growth in a multicultural world, ensuring every child feels valued and understood.

The partnership between DHS and CCAP is vital in ensuring that all families in Rhode Island have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality child care. By maintaining rigorous licensing standards and providing financial assistance, these programs support children’s development in a nurturing and inclusive environment. Together, they help create equitable opportunities for families, particularly those in underserved communities, fostering a brighter future for Rhode Island's children.

In March we celebrate Women’s History Month. In our day to day, we often overlook the essential work women perform to keep our communities functioning and in supporting working families, one of these is the integral work of family child care educators (FCCEs). Emerging alongside industrialization and the rise of women joining the workforce, the gap in childcare needs gave rise to family child care education programs. Today, FCCE programs are mainframes of the early childhood education (ECE) infrastructure where young minds are educated, supported, and encouraged. FCCEs serve as teachers, mentors, role models, and pillars of stability,  providing nurturing, home-like environments and often working tirelessly behind the scenes in a field that is essential, yet underappreciated. 

In the mid 20th century, states began to formalize licensure processes for family child care programs to ensure all children were receiving quality care and education following best practice standards within the ECE field. Some of which include:

1. Health & Safety: Family child care programs must comply with local licensing requirements for health and safety, which include ensuring that the environment is clean, safe, and free from hazards. This includes fire safety, safe sleep practices, and safe handling of food. Additionally, all licensed family child care educators must be CPR and First Aid certified.  

2. Child-to-Teacher Ratios: Maintaining appropriate child-to-teacher ratios is crucial for ensuring that each child receives sufficient attention and care. Ratios are capped at 6:1.

3. Individualized Learning: Family child care educators offer developmentally appropriate curriculum tailored to each child's age, interests, and developmental level.

4. Social Skills: FCC program curricula foster cooperation, sharing, empathy, and communication skills. These teachings help children develop positive relationships with peers and adults, which is foundational for school readiness.

5. Ongoing Education: Family child care educators must pursue professional development to stay updated on best practices in early childhood education and for licensure renewal. This includes attending workshops, training, and conferences on topics like child development, curriculum design, and health and safety to name a few.

Recent reports indicate that 95% of child care workers are women. And although Black people make up only 13% of the total U.S. workforce, 18 percent of U.S. child care workers are Black. In Rhode Island, the FCCE workforce is almost exclusively women and 75% Latina. There are approximately 400 family child care programs in Rhode Island, with 90% participating in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Programs are spread throughout the state, with the highest concentration in the inner cities of Cranston, Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Providence.

When we take a closer look, we find that Providence-based FCCEs account for 7% of licensed early learning program slots statewide but a staggering 24% of CCAP statewide, demonstrating the invaluable niche of CCAP FCCEs in providing families - particularly those in urban settings and with low-income - with equitable access to early education and care services.

FCCEs have fought for fair pay, access to high-quality professional development, and respect in the ECE field for decades. In the 1970s, they pressured the Governor to double their hourly rates, from 30 cents an hour to 60. In the 1990s, they won health insurance through Direct Action for Rights & Equality, making Rhode Island the only state with this benefit. The Day Care Justice Co-Op, formed in 2000, began pushing for a contract with the state.

Facing cuts to funding and provider pay in the early 2000s, the Co-Op affiliated with SEIU District 1199NE in 2004, leading to a petition for union recognition. Despite setbacks, including a vetoed bill and the Great Recession, they persevered, inspired by other states' successes. Their efforts culminated in 2013, when the General Assembly passed a bill granting union rights, and the following year, 390 providers voted to form a union.

Since then, they’ve secured two contracts with raises, paid sick and vacation time, and a training fund. As contract renegotiations for 2025 continue, the goal is to further improve worker conditions, benefits, and professional development opportunities.

As we reflect on the contributions of women this month, let us not forget the unsung heroes who provide foundational care and education to our youngest learners. Family child care educators are not only shaping the future of children but also paving the way for a more equitable and supportive society, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive