The Love Connection: Season 2
Join us as we pull back the curtain on biased institutional narratives about Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care to tell the stories of providers and the parents who rely on them.
This project was made possible with support from First5LA. You can follow the Network on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube at CARRNetwork to stay up-to-date on child care news in California. To learn more about why we started this FFN bias project and what's next, visit rrnetwork.org.
Produced by Stephanie Serrano, hosted by Menaka Mahajan and Natalie Rivera with support from Lily Stewart, Terah Hagy, Sarah Conway, Stephany Delaney, Linda Asato, Gemma DiMatteo, Keisha Nzewi, the R&R Network and staff.
A special thanks to the parents and providers who shared their stories. We see you and appreciate you.
Episode 1: "What is the Essence of Quality Child Care?" (Carolina)
Released: September 10, 2024
Carolina's heart warming story explores how Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care goes beyond formal education and is filled with values of trust, love, and shared cultural experiences that are vital for many families, especially for communities of color. We get a look inside her own experience and how her grandmother has been an essential caregiver, providing a cultural connection, safety, and a foundation of faith for multiple generations. Carolina emphasizes the crucial role FFN providers have in raising children and the need for society to truly honor their contributions through meaningful support and policy change.
Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care is a type of child care that the state does not require to be licensed, sometimes called "license-exempt" or “unlicensed” child care. It is provided in a home by a family member, friend, or a neighbor. Click here to learn more about which kinds of child care need to be licensed.
Trustline is a state-wide registry that provides background screenings for license exempt and in-home child care providers (nannies and babysitters), as well as professional supervised visitation monitors, child care staff, etc.
Learn more about Erik Erikson’s theory of psychological development, which emphasizes the importance of trust between a caregiver and child.
According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard, the development of a child’s brain architecture is the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health outcomes.
What is home-based child care and why is it so valuable?
A new Surgeon General study explores the effects of parental stress on young children.
Early Edge California’s policy brief (see pg 4.) highlights the stark differences between licensed and unlicensed provider pay.
Episode 2: "Embracing Black Culture" (Tonia)
Released September 17, 2024
Tonia is a proud Louisiana native living in Compton, California and has been in the child care field for nearly three decades. She raised her two sons as a single mother and is now a grandmother. Tonia shares her experience as a Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care provider for her grandchildren, and how she weaves in her rich African American culture and history into their daily lives. She discusses the importance of teaching her grandchildren to embrace their Black identity especially amid current social and political challenges. She also advocates for greater recognition, support, and fair compensation for FFN caregivers.
- Black Californians United for Early Care and Education (BlackECE) is a powerful coalition that advocates for equity-based policies/practices that focus on Black children, families, and the ECE workforce.
- There is a growing body of research that finds almost all children develop racial and other biases by kindergarten, and that those biases become more entrenched by adolescence. Visit EmbraceRace to read more.
- Child Care Aware published the following article on the critical role of Grandparents in child care.
- Explore Catalyst California’s resources on what systemic racism could look like within the ECE field and How Racism Can Affect Child Development.
- Explore Caregiver Motivation, Identity, and Resilience from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment.
- What does Raising Biracial and Bi-Ethnic Young Children look like and what are some considerations?
- Myth Busting Young Children Learning Multiple Languages.
- What does science say about Bilingualism in the Early Years?
- Why is Supporting Positive Racial Identity Development in Black Children vital?
- What does Family, Friend, Neighbor, and Nanny Care in California look like?
- Understanding the Strengths of Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care
- How George Floyd’s death affected Black and White families differently.
- How systemic racism and sexism affects child care providers, placing them among some of the lowest paid workers in the U.S.
- How the US Child Care System Relies on Women of Color, but Structural Barriers Systematically Disadvantage Them.
- How we can increase access to FFN caregiving wages through California’s Child Care Subsidy system.
- Survey of Home-based Early Care and Education Providers: Counts and Characteristics.
Episode 3: Unmatched Communication (Emily)
Released September 24, 2024
When Emily finds herself with a gap in child care, an unexpected person comes to the rescue. Her next-door neighbor, a former preschool teacher. Miss Jessica steps up to provide Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care, creating a nurturing and engaging environment for Emily's infant daughter. Emily reflects on how their close connection, trust, and communication made the transition back to work easier. She also encourages other parents to seek support from those within their circle.
Communication between FFNs and parents enables them to build positive relationships. Healthy relationships enable caregivers to provide the best care possible for children. Here are 3 things providers can do when communicating with parents.
It is natural and healthy for new parents to feel anxious. Anxiety that helps us do what we need to do is good for us. But anxiety that gets on top of us and shuts us down is not. It often seems daunting to find trusted child care. For additional assistance locating child care, visit your local child care Resource & Referral agency.
Activities for caregivers to enjoy with babies that build brains and executive function skills.
There are 5 “Rs” for family engagement—Respect, Responsiveness & Reassurance, Relationship, Reciprocity, and Reflection—which help caregivers build trust and promote positive communication with parents.
Children are unique, and helping them manage their responses to sensory overload is specific to each child. Here are some tips for helping children with overstimulation.
Encourage your baby by narrating what you do and what they do. Interacting with children can help build relationships and foster language development; here is a 3½ minute video (available in English and Spanish) with examples of the everyday ways families talk, sing, and play together.
Episode 4: A Miraculous Lineage of Love (Lisa and Eric)
Released October 1, 2024
They say it takes a village to raise children. In this episode, Lisa and Eric tag team child care by providing Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care to support their family in Hyampom California, their home in the wilderness. Lisa and Eric care for three boys, Lisa is the boy's grandmother and Eric is the boy's uncle. Together, they expose the boys to gardening, bike riding, and baking. For Eric, it's important that he shows up as a father figure in order to leave a lasting impact on the boys self-worth and future. Both Lisa and Eric agree that child care is an under-appreciated but essential job.
What is the science behind the first 3 years of a child’s life?
Learn more about: Understanding the Strengths of Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care.
Research suggests there are benefits to young children having/doing chores.
Gardening involves different learning experiences: science, motor skills, hands-on learning, etc. Read more on how gardening with young children helps their development.
Exploring FFN caregiver Motivations, Identities, and Resilience: A study of FFN, and Nanny Care in CA (pt.2).
Learn about the importance of having a community to support parents and children.
Learn how FFNs are struggling financially nationwide and what Home Grown suggests as key policy recommendations.
Why is it important for fathers and male caregivers to be involved in a child’s life?
Learn about the perspectives and experiences of men in the ECE field. What does it mean to build a gender-balanced workforce and what does it look like to support male teachers?
Episode 5: Todas las Etapas son Bonitas (Sofia)
Released October 8, 2024
In this episode we meet Sofia, someone who has provided child care in Los Angeles for over 13 years. She has a history of taking care of infants who she has seen grow into young teens. Her commitment as a Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care provider demonstrates how her loving long-term emotional and physical care shows up in the children’s well-being for years to come. Sofia’s first language is Spanish and she often finds herself teaching the kids the language. She also discusses how despite the hard work, child care workers are often underpaid, although she knows the families love and appreciate her.
En Español
Esta hoja informativa de Home Grown incluye información sobre los diferentes tipos de cuidado infantil que se ofrecen en el hogar. Puede encontrar más información acerca de los cuidadores FFN en la segunda página Cuidado Infantil Basado en el Hogar — Hoja Informativa
El aprender dos o más idiomas en los primeros años de vida tiene muchas ventajas para el desarrollo. Visite este artículo para más información Multilingüismo: múltiples beneficios | ZERO TO THREE
La música y los cánticos son una herramienta poderosa de aprendizaje. Para aprender más sobre los beneficios de la música visite CHS Blog - Aprender y establecer relaciones con canciones y movimientos de dedos
Las habilidades motoras finas son importantes para el desarrollo de los niños. Para más información visite Habilidades motoras finas | First 5 California
La integración familiar en la educación es un pilar fundamental para el éxito de sus hijos. Para más información visite La importancia integración familiar en actividades educativas | by Iris Y Santiago Medina | Medium
Las redes de apoyo son aquellas personas que ofrecen apoyo emocional y práctico, lea más sobre cómo crear una red de apoyo para sus hijos aquí 4 maneras de ayudar a su hijo a construir una red de apoyo
Lea más sobre qué son las experiencias traumáticas y factores protectores aquí ¿Qué son las experiencias traumáticas? - Sesame Workshop
El resumen ejecutivo de Early Edge Aumentar El Acceso a Salarios Para Cuidadores De Familiares, Amigos y Vecinos a Través Del Sistema De Subsidios Para Cuidado Infantil De California tiene como objetivo crear conciencia sobre el importante papel de los cuidadores FFN y los desafíos que enfrentan cuando se trata de compensación.
Esta publicación explora cómo las relaciones entre padres de familia y proveedores son un aspecto importante del cuidado infantil FFN Care and Thriving Parent/Provider Relationships – Cuidado de Familia, Amigos, y Vecinos (FFN) y relaciones prósperas entre padres y proveedores | Parent Voices
En Inglés
- This fact sheet from Home Grown includes the different types of Home Based Child Care. More information about FFN caregivers can be found on the pg.2 of the Home-Based Child Care-Fact Sheet.
- Learning two or more languages in the first years of a child's life has many advantages for development. For more information visit: Multilingualism: multiple benefits | ZERO TO THREE.
- What are the benefits of Learning and Building Relationships with Songs and Finger Movements?
- Learn how and why Fine motor skills are important for children's development.
- What is The importance of family integration in educational activities?
- 4 ways to help your child build a support network.
- What are traumatic experiences? - Sesame Workshop.
- What does it mean to increase Access to Salaries for Family, Friend and Neighbor Caregivers through the CA Subsidy System?
- Learn how parent/provider relationships are an important aspect of child care: Family, Friends, and Neighbors (FFN) Care and Thriving Parent/Provider Relationships.