FAMILY, FRIEND & NEIGHBOR APPRECIATION WEEK | | |
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1. Have you ever been cared for by a family member, family friend or one of your neighbors?
2. Have you cared or kept the children of your family member or friend so they could go to work?
3. Have you used a family member, friend or someone else you trust to keep your child(ren) so you could go to work?
If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you are either an FFN Caregiver or were cared for by an FFN Caregiver.
FFN Caregivers have been caring for us and our children since the beginning of time. They are the backbone of our society and economy. Without them, millions of people would not be able to work and the business community, especially small business, would come to a halt.
FFN Caregivers are accessible, affordable, flexible and most importantly, people that are trusted by the families who use them.
FFN Caregivers deserve the respect, recognition and resources for their tremendous contribution for working families!
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Child Care Resource Center Celebrates Family, Friend & Neighbor Appreciation Week
September 7-12, 2025
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This week the Child Care Resource Center joined organizations across the country in observing Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Appreciation Week, to celebrate and recognize the essential work that millions of FFN child care providers do.
Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Appreciation Week is celebrated the week after Grandparents’ Day to recognize the over 5 million caregivers, including grandparents, aunts, neighbors, community members, and other FFN caregivers, who support our communities and care for young children all over the country. This week is an opportunity to raise awareness and gratitude for the hidden workforce that often cares for our youngest children with little to no pay or benefits. FFN caregivers represent the largest percentage of the early childhood workforce and deserve to be recognized.
“While some home-based child care providers, known as family child care providers, hold child care licenses and operate as small businesses, the vast majority are family members and neighbors who offer care to support members of their community. Think: a child’s aunt or retired grandmother. In the field, these providers are known as family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers,” Natalie Renew, Executive Director of Home Grown, states. “This vast workforce that supports working families is largely unseen in public policy; our systems undervalue—or even ignore—the critical role that FFN caregivers serve in supporting families who work nontraditional hours, live in rural communities, and for those who prioritize a known, trusted, culturally congruent caregiver. Let’s not just see, acknowledge, and celebrate these caregivers; let's take action to support them.”
FFN Appreciation Week was started as a way to bring national awareness to a workforce that provides essential support to children, families, and communities, but is often overlooked. This week of awareness sheds light on the tremendous impact FFN caregivers have on our communities and families.
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Child Care Resource Center supports the family and caregiver by offering Play-N-Learn, Training on Early Education and Care, an FFN Advocacy Group and the FFN steering Committee for Caregiver support.
| | Play-N-Learn: Kindermusik and Kaleidoscope | | |
At CCRC, we believe that children grow best when learning feels like play. Through programs like Kindermusik and Kaleidoscope, we encourage hands-on experiences, creative exploration, and joyful discovery—helping children develop not only critical thinking skills but also confidence, independence, and curiosity.
Through play, children strengthen their physical abilities, expand their imaginations, and build important social connections. Whether it’s working together on a project, exploring new ideas, or engaging in imaginative play, every moment becomes an opportunity for growth.
Play-N-Learn isn’t just about fun—it’s about nurturing the whole child: body, mind, and heart.
CCRC offers free bilingual Kindermusik and Kaleidoscope classes for children ages 0–5, These classes are designed for FFN care, offering uninterrupted adult–child time together. For families able to cover the cost of classes, we warmly welcome your donations to help us open the doors for more children who otherwise couldn’t afford them.
See above details for the Tuesday and Wednesday classes. For information each month refer to our Facebook page.
To register for the Tuesday classes email nalexander@childcareresourcecenter.org
Contact number: (338) 283 3322
and for the Wednesday classes email eromero@childcareresourcecenter.org
Contact number: (336) 245 4900
| | Training on Early Education and Care | | |
CCRC offers FFN caregivers the opportunity to take part in different training sessions and workshops like:
- CPR
- How to Handle the Behavior of a Young Child
- Introduction to Early Brain Development in Young Children
- Advocating for the Family, Friend & Neighbor Caregiver
- Healthy Nutrition for the Young Child
- Getting Ready for Kindergarten Resources
If you are an FFN caregiver, let us know which of the topics above interest you — and share any other areas where you’d like training or support.
email Remona Brooks - rbrooks@childcareresourcecenter.org
| | CCRC and Imprints Cares offer an FFN Advocacy group | | |
CCRC and Imprints Cares collaborate in the facilitation of the FFN Advocacy group which does the following:
- The goal of the FFN Advocacy Committee is to strengthen the voices of care providers to be a driving force for positive change and advancement in the local and North Carolina childcare system
- Provides resources and training
- Offers workshops and resources on child development, health and safety, and ways to support children's learning
- Supports caregiver well-being
- Focus on stress reduction, physical well-being, and trauma-informed support to enhance emotional well-being for caregivers
- Advocates for policy changes
- Works to influence policy and secure funding for FFN care, which is under-resourced compared to licensed facilities
- Helps organize FFN providers into networks, creating a unified voice to advocate for better systems and support
- Highlights the value of FFN care
- Works to raise community awareness and support for FFN care, recognizing it as a vital part of the early childhood education ecosystem
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The Steering Committee is a collaboration of community organizations (Childcare Resource Center, The Pre.K Priority, Imprints Cares, Latino Community Services, Forsyth County Library and the Hispanic League) committed to early childhood education and funded and supported by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
- Supports Caregivers:
- focuses on the specific needs of FFN caregivers, providing communities of support and recognizing their value.
- Advocates for Change:
- Works to create systemic change within the child care system to support and strengthen FFN care, which is crucial for families and children.
- Sets Collaborative Goals:
- Reflects on current initiatives and sets targeted, collaborative goals to build a unified agenda for the FFN care network.
- Collaborates with other organizations to support the FFN care system and advocates for policies that benefit families and children.
| | Please support our fundraiser—or make a donation—to help us keep making a difference in the lives of children and families. | | www.childcareresourcecenter.org | | | | |
