On June 3, 2022, Oakland Family Child Care (FCC) providers have asked City Council to annually fund a $2 million trust for a targeted FCC provider emergency fund/economic supports. FCC providers run small businesses that are home-based education settings, offering child care that is tailored to a family's unique circumstances and needs. They support working parents and families with holistic care, as well as school readiness for Oakland's youngest learners in nurturing, developmentally appropriate, home-based settings.
Oakland's FCC providers are business owners, educators, and community leaders. However, they have been historically excluded from the security of a safety-net that protects businesses and values them as educators. The pandemic has compounded challenges that the fragile system previously faced. During the pandemic, when schools and child care centers closed down, FCC providers remained open to care for essential working families, taking great financial and health risks. In a county that has lost 1/3 of its FCC licenses during the pandemic, and where the majority of children don't have access to licensed child care, it is critical for the City to invest in the FCC workforce.
With the surplus in the midcycle budget, the City has an opportunity to stabilize the child care workforce and ensure that Oakland families have access to holistic care. Oakland Starting Smart and Strong, the city's early childhood collaborative table, supports this FCC budget ask.
On June 3, 2022, Oakland Family Child Care (FCC) providers have asked City Council to annually fund a $2 million trust for a targeted FCC provider emergency fund/economic supports. FCC providers run small businesses that are home-based education settings, offering child care that is tailored to a family's unique circumstances and needs. They support working parents and families with holistic care, as well as school readiness for Oakland's youngest learners in nurturing, developmentally appropriate, home-based settings.
Oakland's FCC providers are business owners, educators, and community leaders. However, they have been historically excluded from the security of a safety-net that protects businesses and values them as educators. The pandemic has compounded challenges that the fragile system previously faced. During the pandemic, when schools and child care centers closed down, FCC providers remained open to care for essential working families, taking great financial and health risks. In a county that has lost 1/3 of its FCC licenses during the pandemic, and where the majority of children don't have access to licensed child care, it is critical for the City to invest in the FCC workforce.
With the surplus in the midcycle budget, the City has an opportunity to stabilize the child care workforce and ensure that Oakland families have access to holistic care. Oakland Starting Smart and Strong, the city's early childhood collaborative table, supports this FCC budget ask.