Science affirms the critical role of family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers in children’s healthy development. The evidence is clear: healthy brain development and resilience are grounded in children’s attachment to caring adults who engage them in consistent, responsive relationships. Early experiences help establish either a sturdy or fragile foundation for future learning, health, and behavior — making responsive, loving caregiving essential. Home-based settings, including FFN care, are especially well-positioned to nurture these relationships. Upon this foundation of loving care, children build cognitive skills and school readiness. By supporting FFN caregivers, we support the lasting, trusting relationships that form the foundation of quality care for millions of children. Learn more: homegrownchildcare.org/_reso…

Families prefer Family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers when they work nontraditional hours. Research shows that most parents across locations and racial/ethnic groups prefer care from a trusted relative or friend during early mornings, evenings, and overnight hours because it feels safer, more comfortable, and better suited to their family’s needs. For families with unpredictable or nontraditional work schedules, FFN care provides critical flexibility when traditional child care options may be unavailable. FFN caregivers often provide care during evenings, overnight hours, weekends, holidays, school breaks, and other times when parents still need support. Whether a parent is working late, covering a night shift, or navigating a school closure, FFN caregivers help make it possible for families to work and children to remain in trusted, consistent care. By providing flexible, reliable support, FFN caregivers play an essential role in supporting children, families, and the broader economy.

Many families choose family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care because it provides continuity of language, culture, values, and traditions. FFN caregivers are often more likely to share a family’s language and cultural background, fostering trust and safety while helping children build a sense of belonging, identity, confidence, and connection to community. For many families, this culturally grounded care is a high-quality experience that reflects their priorities and needs. This preference is reflected in a survey by the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network, which found that Spanish-speaking respondents showed a strong preference for home-based child care, with 23% preferring FFN care, compared to center-based care. In systems that can often feel unwelcoming to communities of color, culturally responsive care matters deeply to children’s well-being and long-term development.

When families talk about quality child care, safety is often at the center of the conversation. For many parents, that sense of safety comes from knowing and trusting the person caring for their child. In family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care, safety is rooted in relationships, familiarity, and strong community connections. Families often choose FFN caregivers because they already trust them to nurture, protect, and care for their children.

Families often choose family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care because it fosters comfortable, open, ongoing communication about the child’s development and activities and the parents’ preferences. Because FFN caregivers are often people the parents know well, families feel comfortable sharing caregiving preferences, updates, and concerns. In turn, the provider is able to offer consistent updates on the child’s activities, development, and well-being. This trusted relationship helps create a strong partnership centered around the child.

For many families, trust is one of the biggest reasons they choose family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care. Parents often describe FFN caregivers as “proxy parents” — people who already know, love, and are deeply invested in their child’s well-being. Because of those existing relationships and bonds, families feel confident that their child’s best interests are prioritized every day.

Families choose Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care for many reasons — trust, cultural connection, communication, flexibility, accessibility, and care that truly fits their lives. For many immigrant and dual language learner families, FFN caregivers provide continuity of language, culture, and traditions. For rural families and parents working nontraditional hours, FFN care is often the most accessible and flexible option. More than child care, FFN caregivers are often seen as part of a family’s “village” — people parents know, trust, and rely on to care for their children with love and understanding.

Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) is a broad term encompassing many types of caregivers, typically those who have a previous relationship with the children they care for. They are the grandmothers, nanas, aunties, abuelitas, life-long family friends, and neighbors who care for children. These caregivers may be paid or unpaid and may not view themselves as providers at all. The majority of FFN caregivers are motivated to provide care out of a sense of duty to support their family, their neighbors, or their community and because of their love for the children they care for.

Child care from Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers is the most used form of care in this country, yet it is hardly ever discussed, considered, or included in our early childhood conversations. Supporting FFN care starts with acknowledging it and bringing it into our discourse. In doing so, we are respecting the parents who choose this care, honoring the caregivers who provide it, and considering the children who rely on it. This month, we’re excited to share more about who FFN providers are, why families choose them, how children benefit from their care, and the needs FFNs face.

Reliable income makes a real difference. This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we’re highlighting how consistent financial support can ease stress for home-based child care providers—creating the stability they need to plan ahead, grow their businesses, and focus on the children in their care. When providers are supported financially, their well-being improves—and so does the quality of care they’re able to offer. *Home Grown’s Thriving Providers Project is a direct cash transfer program for home-based providers.

Mental health is especially challenging and important during times of great uncertainty in the broader economy and society. For some providers today, the fear of being challenged by immigration authorities, or of families or staff getting deported, is an added burden of fear and stress. For others, natural disasters like flood and fires have upended lives and businesses, leading to overwhelm, depression, and anxiety. Using professional resources and strengthening partnerships can be a great way to boost one’s mental wellness. Learn more: homegrownchildcare.org/healt…

Caring for young children starts with caring for yourself. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded that when providers have the financial support they need—fair wages, stable income, and access to resources—they can reduce stress, prioritize their own well-being, and show up fully for the children in their care. Supporting providers isn’t just an economic issue— it’s a mental health one. *Home Grown’s Thriving Providers Project is a direct cash transfer program for home-based providers.

“Healthy me” tip #2: Practice self-care in community Child care networks around the country are recognizing the importance of helping providers recognize mental health issues and implement wellness strategies. Shalicia Jackson leads the Triad Self-Care Support Network, a group she founded to provide a supportive social and professional space for home-based child care providers. Getting together to talk about solutions and advocate for each other and other family child care providers is part of her mental health routine. “We take a moment to just breathe and talk,” she says. “But relying on other people who understand what it means to be a provider, to participate in a solution-focused group creates a sense of solidarity that makes each provider stronger.” Read the blog: homegrownchildcare.org/healt…

Home-based child care creates a sense of safety and security for babies. The research is clear: the key ingredient for infants’ social and intellectual development is a secure attachment to a caregiver. According to Dr. Jones Harden, that security leads to better lifetime outcomes. During May All Babies Thrive Month, learn more about how home-based child care supports the development of babies and sets them up for futures where they thrive: homegrownchildcare.org/_reso…

Child care providers are essential to children, families, and communities — yet many continue to face emotional distress while doing this critical work. RAPID survey data show that in March 2025, 84% of providers of young children reported experiencing emotional distress, including stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. These findings underscore the importance of sustained investments in the child care system and support for the people who care for and educate young children every day. Policies that support providers’ mental health and well-being — alongside improved compensation, staffing stability, and reduced financial burdens — can help prevent burnout, strengthen the child care field, and ensure providers have the support they need to continue caring for children and families. #MentalHealthAwareness Month Read more: rapidsurveyproject.com/artic…

For generations, Head Start has helped children and families access the support they need to thrive — promoting school readiness through early learning, health, nutrition, and family well-being services for children from birth to age 5. Head Start remains the largest federal funding source for comprehensive early childhood services for young children and families facing the greatest barriers. To date, the program has helped more than 40 million children nationwide prepare for success in school and life. In 2026 alone, Head Start is offering more than 685,000 funded seats across the country, and thousands of those seats are in home-based child care settings. Head Start has a long history of partnering with home-based child care providers, recognizing the essential role they play in expanding access to high-quality care in trusted community settings. As Head Start looks to the future, continuing to include and invest in family child care providers will be critical to expanding access, supporting provider sustainability, and ensuring families have care options that meet their needs.

This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re excited to share the story of Pyrena Hui and Oscar Tang, owners of a large family child care home in San Francisco and the first generation of their family to emigrate from Hong Kong. In their program, children not only learn and grow — they also experience the joy of connecting with culture, family traditions, and community. “Even though we are in the United States now, and that is a transition, the story of our family and culture continues, and that is important, says Oscar. For Pyrena and Oscar, caregiving is deeply personal. “Being an immigrant, I don't have too many family members in the United States. For me, they are also considered my extension of the family.” #AAPIMonth

Home Grown’s Thriving Providers Project, a direct cash transfer program for home-based providers, has found that receiving ongoing, unrestricted, and reliable cash transfers contributes not only to providers’ sense of economic stability, but also their emotional well-being. While providers are navigating high stress, low wages, and limited support, a liveable wage is essential in stabilizing both the mental wellness of providers and the care for the children they serve.

Home-based child care stimulates infant brain development. What makes home-based child care the preferred option for many families is not just the intimate setting it provides for young children but also the way it addresses the specific developmental needs of infants and toddlers. For babies and toddlers, that sense of safety and belonging is the bedrock of both physical and mental health. At Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, researchers characterize the healthy interaction between infants and their caregivers as “serve and return” — a series of volleys that builds a child’s neural network and sparks critical connections that enable babies to keep learning and growing. This back-and-forth interaction is fundamental to the wiring of the brain, building essential pathways that support: 🔸 language 🔸 motor skills 🔸 memory 🔸 emotional regulation 🔸 behavioral control. #MayAllBabiesThriveMonth

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity for providers to reflect on both personal and professional wellness. The path to mental wellness begins with embracing “healthy me” practices such as: Advocating for yourself and other providers We’ve heard that self-advocacy often makes providers feel both visible and valuable, especially when speaking up on issues that would support providers’ mental health, like creating substitute pools, increasing subsidies, and providing affordable health insurance. Learn more: homegrownchildcare.org/healt…