Family Child Care Policy Program  

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Watch this short film designed by FCC providers to learn more.

Family Child Care providers (FCCs) are business owners, educators and community leaders who support working parents and families with home-based care and early learning for young children. They are mobilizing to stabilize their businesses and continue to serve our city’s children and families. They need a commitment from elected officials and community partners to advocate for economic justice.
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​​While FCC providers play a critical role in meeting families’ early care and education needs, they are often left out of early childhood policy discussions and their needs are overlooked in decision-making. To address this need, OSSS developed the Oakland FCC Policy Program along with partners BANANAS and First 5 Alameda County in 2021, to cultivate and amplify FCC leadership and advocacy efforts. In this program, FCC providers set their own priorities, while OSSS offers critical backbone support, including education, information and logistical assistance.

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Our Mission
The goal of the Family Child Care (FCC) Policy Program is to strengthen FCC providers and their businesses through advocacy. We do this by centering the voices and needs of FCC providers; sharing education, resources, and tools; and connecting with elected officials and early childhood systems partners.​

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Who We Are
We are led by a planning committee which includes FCC providers and parents across Oakland. Our current members are:

• Carolyn Carpenter, Bloomers Preschool and CCPU, 521
• Noni Galloway, Parent Voices Oakland
• Margarita Garcia, El Carrusel WeeCare
• Charlotte Guinn, Rose’s Day Care, Alameda Professional Child Care Association,  CCPU, 521
• Nancy Harvey, Li’l Nancy’s Primary Schoolhouse and CCPU, 521​
• Ashley McKelton, OakTown Daycare and CCPU, 521
• Natanya Mitchell, Young at Heart Day Care and  CCPU, 521
• Brittany Philpart-Dow, OakTown Daycare and CCPU, 521
• Robert Williams, Blessed Beginnings Day Care and  CCPU, 521
• Grace Yang, Bay Sky Montessori 

What We Do
Since the program began in 2021, we have:

• Hosted two Community Conversations for FCC providers to share policy developments, share community resources, and discuss concerns.
• Joined partner organizations for 2021 legislative visits to share our concerns with Universal Transitional Kindergarten.
• Proposed an FCC emergency fund to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, requesting $1 million from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support providers in keeping their businesses open. 
• Met with Oakland City Councilmembers and made a $2 million ask  to establish a trust for an emergency fund and economic supports. 
• Organized an OUSD School Board Candidates’ Forum and met with OUSD School Board Directors to educate them on how child care providers are community-based early educators. 

Learn More
​We invite FCC providers and parents interested in learning more about the group to join our meetings. The FCC Policy Program meets once a month, virtually, during the evening. For additional information, contact OSSS at [email protected].