What levels of professional advancement are available to family child care providers in Illinois?
In addition to being required if certain numbers of children are cared for, a license to provide family child care is one sign of professionalism. A license also enables family child care providers to take advantage of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal food program that provides reimbursement money for food served in the family child care business. Additionally, a family child care license qualifies providers to receive higher rates of child care subsidies and may make them eligible for other types of funding. Accreditation with the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is an additional step that providers can take to be recognized nationally for meeting a standard of excellence and professional distinction. To be eligible for accreditation, a family child care provider must • offer care to a minimum of three children in a home for at least 15 hours per week, • be the primary caregiver, • be at least 21 years old, • h
