Child Care
Family Child Care Networks
Are you a home-based child care provider in Northwest Lower Michigan?
Family Child Care Networks of NW MI began in 2023, as a way for home-based child care providers to support one another, access professional development, and connect to community partners; all while advocating for the future of home-based child care. There are currently five networks that serve over 50 home-based child care programs in the 10-county region. Each network meets monthly and is led by a local coordinator that owns/operates or works in a home-based child care program. Please contact the local coordinator in your area for information on how to join a network!
Home-Based Early Care and Learning Network - Grand Traverse
Local Coordinator: Alison Burns.
HBECLN creates opportunities for home-based child care professionals to share ideas and support one another in a respectful and welcoming environment, while advocating to the community the value and quality of home-based child care.
Manistee FCCN
Local Coordinator: Frankie Bachinski.
Manistee County has a limited number of home-based child care providers, and most are in the network and regularly attend meetings! For a small group, they are pretty close knit and enjoy discussions where they can offer advice and support to each other.
Northern Home-Based Child Care Network - Wexford-Missaukee
Local Coordinator: Naomi Cook.
Our network values quality care, ongoing learning and supporting both children and providers. We focus on creating environments where children can grow through play, build social skills, and feel secure. Some of the biggest wins come from seeing growth - not just in children, but in the providers themselves.
Boyne City FCCN - Northern Antrim-Charlevoix-Emmet
Local Coordinator: Chelsea Tarvainen.
This network is a community, They share goals and aspirations and then work as a group to achieve them. There is a lot of experience in this network, and members love to have round table discussions. Every comment, question or concern is always answered. All home-based child care providers are welcome. All members want to help little children learn and grow.
Kalkaska FCCN - Southern Antrim - Kalkaska
Local Coordinator: Tia Ellis.
Our Kalkaska network is a new network in our hub. They met for the first time in June of 2026. It is exciting to connect with providers in the area and learn how the network can support them and their programs.
Why choose Home-Based Child Care?
Home-based child care (HBCC) offers families a warm, family-focused environment with small group sizes and personalized care. Children benefit from consistent support from one caregiver, helping them feel safe, secure, and connected while learning and growing at their own pace.
HBCC providers often build lasting relationships with the children and families they serve, creating a true “home away from home.” Through play-based learning and daily interactions, children develop social skills, empathy, and confidence in a nurturing setting.
For providers, home-based child care is both meaningful and flexible. They have the independence to create learning experiences that reflect their values and teaching style while making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in their community.
| What the Research Says | What Families Say |
Small group sizes allow for more individualized attention and stronger relationships between children and caregivers. | "We know our child will get the individual care and attention he deserves." |
Home-based child care provides a warm, loving, home-like environment that supports children's emotional well-being. | "Not only is he getting education and care, but it is more like a family." |
Children benefit from consistent caregivers in a familiar setting, supporting healthy cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. | "It's more of a community than other daycare facilities we've had experiences with." |
Mixed-age groups allow siblings to stay together and foster social development among children of different ages. | "We prefer the one-on-one care our child receives. We like that he is with children of all different ages." |
Home-based programs offer safe, healthy learning environments where children can learn at their own pace. | "We were looking for a smaller setting with more one-on-one learning opportunities, and it just felt safer for our family." |
Providers are often trusted members of the community who share families' values and culture. | "Our friends' kids went there and loved it and trusted their opinions." |
Many families choose home-based care because it feels less institutional and offers a more personal experience. | "I didn't want an institutional environment and liked supporting a private business owner." |
Home-based child care is often more affordable, offers flexible hours, and accommodates nontraditional work schedules. | While these specific themes weren't reflected in the family quotes provided, they remain key research-supported advantages that many families cite when selecting home-based care. |
What the Research Says
Small group sizes allow for more individualized attention and stronger relationships between children and caregivers.
What Families Say
"We know our child will get the individual care and attention he deserves."
"We love the intimate setting, ratio of teachers to students, and personalized care we receive."
What the Research Says
Home-based child care provides a warm, loving, home-like environment that supports children's emotional well-being.
What Families Say
"Not only is he getting education and care, but it is more like a family."
"I wanted something as close to being at home since kids spend enough years in school when they get older."
What the Research Says
Children benefit from consistent caregivers in a familiar setting, supporting healthy cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development.
What Families Say
"It's more of a community than other daycare facilities we've had experiences with."
What the Research Says
Mixed-age groups allow siblings to stay together and foster social development among children of different ages.
What Families Say
"We prefer the one-on-one care our child receives. We like that he is with children of all different ages."
What the Research Says
Home-based programs offer safe, healthy learning environments where children can learn at their own pace.
What Families Say
"We were looking for a smaller setting with more one-on-one learning opportunities, and it just felt safer for our family."
What the Research Says
Providers are often trusted members of the community who share families' values and culture.
What Families Say
"Our friends' kids went there and loved it and trusted their opinions."
What the Research Says
Many families choose home-based care because it feels less institutional and offers a more personal experience.
What Families Say
"I didn't want an institutional environment and liked supporting a private business owner."
What the Research Says
Home-based child care is often more affordable, offers flexible hours, and accommodates nontraditional work schedules.
What Families Say
While these specific themes weren't reflected in the family quotes provided, they remain key research-supported advantages that many families cite when selecting home-based care.
HBCC offers small groups of mixed-age children, allowing siblings to stay together. Providers are often trusted members of the parents’ community, sharing language, culture, and values.
If you are in need of child care, you can find our providers at Great Start to Quality or by calling 877-614-7328.
Contact us
Kris Weger, Family Child Care Network Coordinator.
These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).
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- Ty Wessell, Leelanau County Commissioner