Family Child Care Networks

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. Are you a home-based child care provider in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee or Wexford Counties? Please contact the local coordinator in your area for information on how to join a network!  

 

Home-Base 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.

 

Funding acknowledgement

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).

 

Contact us

Kris Weger,  Family Child Care Network Coordinator.