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Buell, M. J, Pfister, I., & Gamel-McCormick, M. (2002). Caring for the caregiver: Early Head Start/family child care partnerships. Infant Mental Health Journal, 23(1-2), 213-230.
A partnership between family child care providers and Early Head Start was explored. Results indicated child care enhancement through the partnership.
The Study
- Early Head Start is a federal program for poorer families with children aged birth through three years. The program is full-day, full-year.
- Family child care encompasses everything from infant full-day care to before and after school care for older children.
- Family child care has not been studied as thoroughly as center-based care but research does indicate that many parents prefer family child care for their infants and toddlers.
- Both family care and Early Head Start promote continuity of care for children.
- This article featured the Northern Delaware Early Head Start (NDEHS) program. NDEHS has a family care option as part of its child care services.
- The Methods
- Four family child care providers who have been working with NDEHS were studied. Initial assessments showed the four providers to be above average on the Family Day Care Rating Scale. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the four providers. Discussions centered around:
- Factors that lead the women to this field of work,
- Perceptions of their field,
- Supports gained from joining NDEHS, and
- Unmet needs and suggestions on how NDEHS could meet those needs.
The Findings
- Providers indicated that infants and toddlers were the most challenging groups to care for.
- Providers viewed their jobs as a profession.
- NDEHS was able to assist providers in curriculum development, organization, acquisition of materials, and financial aid for professional development.
- Providers also indicated that NDEHS needs to expand and reach out to more family child care providers.
- Challenges to family providers included operating a business in their home, isolation, limited opportunity for continuing education, and limited resources.
- NDEHS partners with family providers to address these challenges.
R2P Evaluation
This study should be replicated with a larger sample of family care providers involved in Early Head Start. Preliminary findings indicate a strong positive relationship between providers and Early Head Start staff.
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