NEW ORLEANS – Home-based family child care (FCC) providers educate and care for thousands of Louisiana’s youngest children but remain largely invisible in state policy and funding systems, according to a new report released today by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) and W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). Developed in partnership with ACE Consulting, the Louisiana Department of Education, the National Association for Family Child Care and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, the study — The Role of Family Child Care in Early Childhood Education in Louisiana — finds that FCC fills critical gaps for infants, toddlers, rural families and parents who work nights and weekends. Nationally, home-based providers care for about 40% of all children under age 5 in child care settings, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Family child care providers are small business owners, educators, and community leaders all at once,” said Dr. Libbie Sonnier, chief executive officer of LPIC. “They are the backbone of many communities and offer high-quality care in environments that reflect children’s languages, cultures, and family values. This study highlights the importance of including their voices to guide policy decisions that impact their livelihoods and the families they serve.”
The report draws on focus groups and interviews with 78 FCC providers and 11 parents across nine parishes. Participants described FCC as personalized, culturally responsive and rooted in trusted relationships that enable parents to work and children to thrive.
“When families have access to quality, affordable early childhood education, children thrive and communities prosper,” said Deirdre Johnson Burel, senior program officer for WKKF, which supported the study. “Family child care is often the most trusted option for working families. This report provides important data and evidence to strengthen understanding of their role and inform policy solutions. Family child care should be an integral part of Louisiana’s early childhood system — a critical tool for expanding access and equity for young children and their families.”
Key findings:
- Limited access for the youngest children: Louisiana serves about 18% of economically disadvantaged infants and toddlers through public programs, leaving roughly 100,000 children without access. By comparison, 92% of economically disadvantaged 4-year-olds are served.
- Parents rely on FCC to work: Among parents using FCC, 70% work full-time, and 82% say they could not work without their current care arrangement.
- Affordability pressures remain: Average tuition in FCC settings is about $8,900 per child per year, compared with $14,000 across all provider types. Yet many families still struggle to pay, and more than 5,000 working parents and 7,000 children remain on the state’s waitlist for child care assistance.
- A large but underconnected workforce: Only 218 FCC providers are certified with the Louisiana Department of Education and 149 hold Academic Approval, while an estimated 4,700 home-based providers participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program.
- FCC offers quality and relationships: FCC programs offer developmentally appropriate, relationship-driven care and often operate during evenings and weekends. Parents report strong kindergarten-readiness gains.
- FCCs not exempt from financial strain: 70% of FCC providers report that their monthly revenue never or only sometimes covers expenses.“Much like center-based care, family child care providers are essential for families and communities across Louisiana and the country,” said Cierra Amar, FCC provider and National Association for Family Child Care Leaders Shaping Leaders State Representative. “Supporting and investing in home-based providers ensures more children in Louisiana have access to the nurturing, high-quality early learning opportunities they deserve.”
Why this matters now:
- Demand for infant and toddler care continues to exceed available supply, particularly in rural parishes.
- Families working shift or weekend jobs depend on providers who offer flexible hours.
- Reliable, affordable child care is central to Louisiana’s current and future workforce.
To access the full report, visit this link. To view a recording of the report press conference, visit this link.
About Louisiana Policy Institute for Children:
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana’s young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life. The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices, and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org and follow the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation:
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special attention is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.