Family child care has long been a cornerstone for working families. With low teacher-child ratios and a warm, home-like setting, providers can deliver responsive care that leads to better outcomes for children.
But running a home-based program isn't easy, and providers face real challenges. They navigate limited budgets and space, as well as licensing and accreditation requirements. Most often, providers are wearing every hat, from caregiver to business owner. And that’s exactly why the right support matters.
For more than 50 years, Kaplan has supported early childhood programs with the essentials needed for high-quality early learning. Family child care programs are no exception. In this article, we explore 7 ways Kaplan can partner with you—from planning to implementation and beyond—to launch and grow your center.
You might be starting your program from scratch or expanding an existing one. In either case, Kaplan helps family child care providers set programs up for success from day one. Here are the main ways we do that.
Furniture isn't just about filling space. For family child care programs, it's a core part of what makes them high quality.
The Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale® is a tool used to check the quality of home-based child care programs. It gives clear guidance on classroom furniture for routine care, play, and learning, and looks at three main components:
Kaplan’s high-quality furniture checks all those boxes and more. It’s designed to withstand daily use, support a wide range of learning experiences, and adapt to different ages so you can support children as they grow without needing replacements. Our pieces are also as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional, and can blend seamlessly with your home decor.
Below are some examples of our timeless, durable furniture collections:
Quality classroom furniture that’s built to adapt means you can continue to support children—and their changing needs—for years to come.
It's not always easy to find high-quality curricula built for the unique needs of family child care programs. The right curriculum should include the following to give children in your care a well-rounded education:
Our research-based curricula support foundational skills while emphasizing play and whole-child learning. Below are available programs to support the young learners in your program:
Sometimes you need deeper insight into a child's progress. We offer standardized assessments to identify and support each child's individual needs. The options below help track developmental goals and social-emotional strengths:
Check out our Curriculum and Assessment Overview to compare our various offerings at a glance.
Home-based programs are most popular for infants and toddlers. The responsive, nurturing care of a family setting is a great fit for their early attachment and development needs. But many programs also serve preschoolers and school-age children who need after-school care. So, having play and learning materials for children of different ages is essential.
With so many products to choose from, it might be hard to select materials that best support children's development. Kaplan simplifies the process with high-quality materials designed for every age and stage:
We also offer products to support children with a wide range of developmental and learning needs, including resources designed for children with special needs, sensory processing differences, and social-emotional challenges. Head to our website and browse products by age range and category to find everything you need to help every child thrive.
Today's children are digital natives. Many use technology before their second birthday, according to Pew Research Center. With intentional use, classroom technology can power interactive learning experiences that meet them where they already are.
At Kaplan, we help family child care providers bring technology into the classroom in meaningful ways. These solutions, featuring interactive panels and augmented reality tools, get children moving, thinking, and creating through hands-on learning.
Do you have leftover budget or recent grant funding? The options below cost more upfront, but the payoff for children's learning, program quality, and general experience makes it worth the investment:
Ready to bring classroom technology into your center? Kaplan’s Educational Technology Team can support you every step of the way. We’ll help you choose the right tools, handle delivery, and provide the training and support you need.
Outdoor play is an essential part of every program model, including family child care. While outdoor learning spaces can take many forms, the playground is often the primary setting for active play. But building a safe, engaging playground that makes the most of every inch of your space is no small task.
That’s where we step in. From planning to set up, we’ll outfit your outdoor space with play equipment that meets your program's needs, space, and budget.
Order, design, and install your playground in a few simple steps:
If you don’t have room for a large outdoor play unit, there are several ways to support exploration and active play—even in a smaller space. Browse our Playground collection for a variety of outdoor play equipment, including swings, climbers, loose parts, and more.
Starting and growing a family child care program comes with real advantages, but also some tradeoffs. According to Marnie Forestieri, author of The Basics of Starting a Child-Care Business, one disadvantage is the limited access to peer support networks and professional development opportunities.
The good news? You don’t have to close that gap alone. Kaplan offers a range of customized professional learning solutions to match your program’s needs, budget, and goals.
We also know many home-based programs run on smaller budgets than corporate or non-profit chains. That’s why we also offer low-cost alternatives that help you build key skills without sacrificing quality or impact:
With options like these, limited access and budget don't have to stand in the way of quality professional development.
Home-based programs face a unique challenge in designing high-quality learning environments. Space is often limited, and you're likely working in a part of your home that serves other purposes outside program hours.
With those constraints in mind, creating or updating a learning space takes time and design expertise. These are two things family child care providers are often short on.
Let Kaplan handle it for you. We have two classroom design offerings to help you outfit your home-based learning environment to fit any budget:
From planning to setup, we support every step of the process. Our goal is to help you maximize every inch of your home-based classroom and ensure it’s ready to go from day one.
Many families across the United States rely on family child care to keep their children safe, nurtured, and engaged while they work. While it’s rewarding, running a home-based program as a sole owner-operator comes with its own set of challenges.
You don’t have to go it alone. Kaplan is a one-stop resource for family child care providers, providing expert support as you launch and grow your program. We provide everything from furniture and materials to staff training and professional installation.
To get started, connect with a Kaplan representative. Our team is eager to discuss your needs and support you from day-one setup through ongoing program growth.