Access to high-quality child care is one of the most critical foundations for strong families and thriving communities. Programs that support and uplift child care providers play an essential role in ensuring children receive nurturing, enriching early experiences. One such initiative making a meaningful impact is the FCC Pathways program currently offered by CCRC for San Bernardino and Los Angeles County providers.
What is FCC Pathways?
FCC Pathways (Family Child Care Pathways) is a comprehensive support program designed specifically for family child care providers. These providers are a vital part of the early education ecosystem, offering flexible, community-based care for families. The program focuses on helping providers strengthen both their business practices and the quality of care they deliver. Through training, mentorship, and financial support, FCC Pathways empowers providers to grow sustainable, high-quality child care programs. The Pathways program offers a wide range of resources such as:
- Professional Development
- Business Support
- Coaching and mentorship
- And so much more
Every year, CCRC works with Early Care and Education (ECE) professionals to help them reach their professional development goals. With the help of the Pathway to Professional Development track, ECE professionals are now able to track their professional development in twelve focus areas growth and development. A pathway is complete when a provider attends at least two qualifying trainings in each focus area for a total of 48 hours. The hours are tracked through the CA ECE Workforce Registry, an online database that promotes and tracks professional development efforts for ECE providers.
Demonstrating Success
The success of the Pathways program can be seen in the growth and confidence of participating providers. Many report significant improvements in how they structure their programs, interact with children, and manage their businesses. However, its true success is best reflected in the voices of the providers themselves. One child care and preschool owner in Hesperia, California, Crystal Delgado, shares how the program has transformed her approach to child care.
“I decided to join the Pathways program because I saw this as an opportunity to not only stand out amongst other daycare providers, but also to hone in on my skills as a quality child care provider. So, this is allowing me hands-on knowledge through classroom participation, through projects, through essay writing, to really understand the depth of what goes through a child’s mind, how to properly assist a child in their developmental milestones. As a parent, you think it’s supposed to be done one way, but learning about it, talking to other providers in a cohort environment really allows you to gain hands-on knowledge, experiences from providers who have been in the industry for 30 years. I’m able to share what works for me… and in a very cohesive way, we are building a foundation for the next generation of children.”
Crystal’s testimonial highlights one of the programs’ greatest strengths – its collaborative learning environment. Providers don’t just learn from instructors – they learn from each other, gaining insights from years of shared experience across the field.
Parents and families benefit as well. With providers implementing higher-quality practices, children experience a more engaging learning environment, improved social-emotional support, and so much more.
Looking Ahead
As the demand for accessible, high quality child care continues to grow, programs like the FCC Pathways program will remain essential. Those who finish their hours are recognized at the annual Karen Kaye Award of Achievement Celebration – named to honor Karen Kaye, whose vision paved the way for the development of the Pathway to Professional Development. The program’s success highlights the importance of supporting providers not just as caregivers, but as small business owners and educators.
To begin your journey or to learn more, please contact Mercedes Williams at [email protected] or call (909) 279-2828.