The child care workforce continues to face a severe labor shortage, and recruitment and retention of workers continues to be a challenge. But despite the headlines, individuals are still starting their own family child care businesses.

For this project, the researchers are conducting a survey and focus groups with those who have recently become family child care providers and those who have recently left the field. Those who entered the field since 2020 are in a position to share why they entered—and what could keep them from leaving. Those who have left the field during this time can also lend insight as to where gaps remain.

The main question the researchers are seeking to answer is, how can states strengthen and improve recruitment and retention experiences for family child care providers as we emerge from the pandemic?

This study is unique in seeking to understand the experience of family child care providers at this moment in time. The results can serve as the foundation for future insights to inform the early childhood policy landscape in Massachusetts and nationwide.